Cat's cradle facts for kids
Cat's cradle is a fun game played with a loop of string. Two or more people work together to create different shapes, called string figures. The game involves changing the string shape from one person's hands to the next. People all over the world play versions of Cat's Cradle. You can find it in cultures from the coldest polar regions to the warm Equator.
Contents
How to Play Cat's Cradle
This game involves players making a series of string figures. Each player changes the shape made by the person before them. The game usually starts with one player making the basic "Cat's Cradle" shape.
After a figure is made, the next player carefully takes the string from the previous player's hands. They use simple movements to change the shape and tighten the loop. This creates a new figure, like "Diamonds." "Diamonds" might then become "Candles," and "Candles" could lead to "Manger." "Manger" is like an upside-down "Cat's Cradle."
Many main figures offer choices for the next shape. For example, "Fish in a Dish" can turn into "Cat's Eye" or "Manger." The game ends if a player makes a mistake. It also ends if they create a "dead-end" figure. A "dead-end" figure, like "Two Crowns," cannot be changed into anything else.
Sometimes, people play this game by themselves. This is common in Japan, where one person can create all the figures.
The History of Cat's Cradle
The name "cat's cradle" might have come from older words. Some believe it came from "cratch-cradle." A "cratch" is a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals. This idea connects to the Christian story of Jesus' birth, where he was placed in a manger used as a cradle. However, not everyone agrees with this idea.
In an old magazine from 1858 called Punch, the game was called "scratch cradle." An old dictionary from 1898 also supported this name. The term "Cat's Cradle" is often used for string games in general. So, some experts use "Real Cat's-Cradle" to talk about this specific game.
Different cultures have unique names for the game. They also have different names for the individual string shapes. In French, a manger is called a crèche. In Russia, the game is simply called "the game of string." The "diamonds" pattern is called "carpet" there. Other Russian names for shapes include "field," "fish," and "sawhorse." Interestingly, a "cat" is not mentioned in the Russian names.
The game might have started in China. In China, it is called kang sok, which means "well rope." In some parts of the U.S., this game is also known as "Jack in the Pulpit."
World Records for Cat's Cradle
People have set amazing records playing Cat's Cradle!
- Geneva Hultenius, Maryann DiVona, and Rita Divona completed 21,200 changes. They played for 21 hours in Chula Vista, California. This happened between August 17–18, 1974. The Guinness Book of World Records listed this as a world record in 1975 and 1976.
- Jane Muir and Robyn Lawrick broke that record. They completed 22,700 changes of cat's cradles. They played for 21 hours at Calgary Market Mall in Alberta, Canada. This record was set on August 25, 1976.
See also
In Spanish: Juego del cordel para niños
