How to Make a Winking Eye With a Loop of String

Simple and Fun Children's Indoor Game Making Moving String Figures

Mar 10, 2010
Karren Tolliver

Step 1 of Winking Eye String Figure - Karren Doll Tolliver

Learning this children's rainy day activity of making a blinking eye string figure similar to Cat's Cradle and Jacob's Ladder is an ancient art that kids today enjoy.

Almost every child learns how to make a string figure at some point, such as Cat’s Cradle or Jacob’s Ladder. Children and adults all over the world have been making string figures for thousands of years. People in ancient times told stories using string figures to illustrate them even before books were invented.

String Types such as Yarn or Nylon

Any kind of string can be used, including yarn. It is best to use nylon, though, because it slides better. Also, nylon string can be melted together at the ends to make a smooth loop of string without knots for easy handling. Be careful with the flame doing this.

Instructions for Making a Blinking Eye Out of String

Here are some instructions about how to make a Winking Eye string figure that is formed on one hand. When it is finished, the end of the string is pulled to create the wink action.

Start with a circle of string about 24 inches long. Then follow the steps below:

Hold the left hand with palm facing toward you and thumb outstretched. Extend the index and middle fingers straight out and the other two fingers folded in. The hand looks like a pistol. Drape the loop of string around the index and middle fingers. The rest of the string will hang straight down.
Pick up the side of the loop that is hanging over the back of the fingers and loop it around the index and middle fingers again. Without letting go, loop it over the thumb, too.
Pick up the second loop string you just made around the two fingers and pull it over the thumb. Now there are two strings looped around the thumb.
Pick up the first section of string that was looped around the thumb in Step 2 and take it off the thumb so that it hangs down into your palm.
Grasp the loop hanging down into the palm by the other side and loop it back over the thumb. Now there are two sections of the string looped around the thumb again. One is snug around the thumb and one is loose and hangs down.
Move the two strings farthest from you toward the end of the fingers, stretching out the whole configuration. Pull on the looser loop of string around your thumb. Pulling this section will cause the diamond-shaped “eye” in the string between the thumb and forefinger to open and close, or “blink.”

Illustrations for the Winking Eye String Figure

It is helpful to see the pictures of the steps below. Or view an animated demonstration to practice this string figure.

Making string figures is one of the least expensive and most entertaining kids' games. It teaches eye-hand coordination, it involves close interaction with a teacher, and helps them use their imaginations.

With a little practice, children will be able to make this string figure very well. After they learn it, a good rainy day activity would be for the children to make up stories to tell each other using the Winking Eye and other string figures as illustrations.

Karren Doll Tolliver, photographer and writer, Paula Showen

Karren Tolliver - Karren Doll Tolliver is from the Midwest USA and received a BA in English from Mississippi University for Women in 1984. Writing since she ...