String theory

While brainstorming for a project, I came across a piece of string. Tied in a loop. Naturally, I began doing Cat’s Cradle (isn’t this what we all do when we come across a loop of string?). Sir and Mister were intrigued. Two new string loops later, the guys now know how to do Witch’s Broom, Kitty Whiskers, Crow Feet, and Jacob’s Ladder.

The kids went on and on about how “old fashioned” games are so much fun. And how sad it must have been to have been a young girl and only had a piece of string to play with. After explaining that sometimes we were so poor we had to use the intestines from that night’s chicken because we had no string, I hopped online to find the origins of Cat’s Cradle. Come to find out, not only is it played all over the world, but little Julia, Caeser’s daughter, was probably playing it back in 75 BC. Okay, maybe it’s not that old. But it’s old, baby.

It got me thinking about play uses for everyday items (like the hoop-and-stick). Kids picked up what was around and made a toy out of it. There’s so much bellyaching about “today’s kids” with their video game and television addictions. But Sir and Mister dropped everything the entire morning just to fine-tune their string skills. Me likey.

Hoping to upload the vid I made of them doing the string thing. Check back.

So now I’m on the search for other fun uses for everyday items. Preferably something pocket-sized. Are there games you can play with a single cork? A popsicle stick? Hmm…