Cat’s Cradle: How to Play and the Figures
Cat’s cradle is a string game for two players. One player makes a shape with a loop of string on their hands, and the other player takes the string off with their fingers to make a new shape. The two keep passing it back and forth until someone drops a string or the figure falls apart. All you need is a loop of string, so it is a good game for car journeys, waiting rooms and rainy days.
What you need
- A loop of string about 1.5 to 2 metres long, tied with a small, flat knot. Smooth string or thin cord works better than fluffy wool.
- Two players. You can also practise the first figure alone.
- A fair way to choose who starts, such as a coin flip or rock paper scissors.
How to play
- Player A loops the string around the backs of both hands, between thumb and first finger, so it runs across both palms.
- Player A wraps the string once more around each palm, then uses the middle finger of each hand to pick up the string on the opposite palm. This makes the first figure, the cradle.
- Player B looks for the two places where the strings cross in an X. B pinches each X between thumb and first finger, pulls them out, and scoops under the side strings and up through the middle.
- Player A lets go as B spreads their fingers. The string now sits on B’s hands in a new figure.
- A then takes the figure from B in the same way, pinching and scooping, and so on.
- The game ends when a figure falls apart or the players cannot find a way to make the next one. You can then start again from the cradle.
The exact moves differ between families and schools. Many players learn them from someone else by watching, and that is part of the fun. If a move does not work, try pinching the X from above instead of below, or scooping over the strings instead of under them.
A common sequence of figures
The table shows one common order of figures in English-speaking countries. “Step” is the order, “Figure” is its usual name, “Who” shows which player is holding the string if A makes the cradle, and “Shape” is a rough description of what it looks like. Names and order vary, and some families have extra figures or different names for the same one.
| Step | Figure | Who | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cat’s Cradle | A | Cradle, two Xs |
| 2 | Soldier’s Bed | B | Flat grid |
| 3 | Candles | A | Two lines |
| 4 | Manger | B | Cradle upside down |
| 5 | Diamonds | A | Row of diamonds |
| 6 | Cat’s Eye | B | Diamond with an eye |
| 7 | Fish in a Dish | A | Diamond in a frame |
Because the players take turns, the player who makes the cradle also holds every odd-numbered figure. If one of you is more practised, let the beginner start, or toss a coin each new game so both of you get to make the cradle about half the time. Our guide to deciding who goes first has more ways to settle it.
A bit of history
String figures are found in many parts of the world, and researchers have recorded hundreds of different figures from many different cultures. The two-player passing game known as cat’s cradle is played in many countries, often under other names. Where the English name comes from is not clear: one common idea is that it comes from “cratch cradle”, an old word for a manger, but this is not certain.
Tips for beginners
- Start slowly and say each step out loud: “pinch, pull out, under, up.”
- Keep your fingers spread wide so the strings stay tight.
- If the knot gets in the way, slide it round to the back of a hand.
- Practise the cradle and soldier’s bed first; the later figures are easier once those feel natural.
Variations
- Solo figures: one person makes figures such as the Eiffel Tower or Jacob’s Ladder alone.
- Speed round: see how many figures you can make in a row before the string falls apart.
- Name your own: when you find a new shape by accident, give it a name and teach it to a friend.
- Three players: take turns in a circle, passing the string to the next player each time.
For more small games you can play anywhere, try jacks, marbles or the finger game chopsticks.
FAQ
How do you play cat’s cradle?
One player makes the cradle with a loop of string on both hands. The other pinches the crossed strings, pulls them out and scoops them up to take the string and make a new figure. You keep passing it back and forth until a figure falls apart.
How long should the string be?
About 1.5 to 2 metres, tied into a loop. Smooth string is easier than wool.
What figures come after the cradle?
A common order is soldier’s bed, candles, manger, diamonds, cat’s eye and fish in a dish, but names and order differ from place to place.
Can you play cat’s cradle alone?
The passing game needs two players, but you can make the first figure and many solo string figures on your own.
Who should go first?
Toss a coin or play rock paper scissors. If one player is a beginner, let them make the cradle.