String games are fun to play and also a great way to develop fine motor skills. This string figure starts out as the ‘cup and saucer’, then with a quick adjustment it becomes the ‘Eiffel Tower’. Watch the video to see how.

What you need:

• 60cm long piece of string, looped and tied together at the ends

Number of players:
1+

Activity:

To make the Eiffel Tower string figure, you must first start by making the cup and saucer with string. Watch the video to show you how.

Step 1: Start with the string behind your thumbs and pinkies, running across both palms.

Step 2: With your right hand, reach across to the left hand and hook the string that runs across the left palm.

Step 3: Pull your hands apart.

Step 4: Do the same with the other hand.

Step 5: Pull your hands apart again.

Step 6: With your thumbs, reach over the first pointer finger string and under the second pointer finger string. Pull your thumbs back towards your body – there will be two loops on each thumb.

Step 7: Using your teeth (easiest) or pinkie fingers (if you’re feeling dexterous), pull the bottom string off your thumbs and pass it over the top string.

Step 8: Drop the loops off both pinkie fingers and pull your hands apart.

Step 9: Tilt your thumbs up and you have a cup and saucer.

Step 10: Now use your teeth to grab the top string (the top edge of the ”cup”).

Step 11: Drop the loops off your thumbs.

Step 12: You’ve made the Eiffel Tower!

• Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video.