String games are a great way to develop fine motor skills. Once you know a few basic string moves, you can make a wide range of figures. Try making this ‘star’ by watching this easy how-to video.

What you need:

• 100cm long piece of string, looped and tied together at the ends

Number of players:
1+

Activity:

Watch this how-to video to make a star string figure (note, you’ll have to make a cup and saucer string figure first).

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 finer 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.

To turn your cup and saucer into a star string figure:

Step 10: Use your pinkies to grab the top straight string that makes up the saucer.

Step 11: Stretch your pinkies out.

Step 12: Now drop your thumbs.

Step 13: Use your thumbs to move over both forefinger nooses and hook the nearest pinkie finger noose. Pull it back towards you.

Step 14: Release one pinkie finger.

Step 15: You’ve just made a star!

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