I’m not really sure how our household stumbled upon Yo-yo YouTube. But it’s one of the most entertaining combinations of long-form videos and Shorts/TikToks we’ve added to our playlists so far. One thing I love about yo-yo YouTube is that it’s mostly wholesome, safe for all kids to watch, truly work as tutorials, and shows kids that even a hobby like the yo-yo can be turned into a challenging career.
Out Think Approved Yo-yo YouTubers
Some of the more popular and extremely family-friendly yo-yo YouTubers include:
TheBrandonVu
He does everything from recreating popular yo-yo tricks (introducing viewers to other top yo-yo-ers) and showing how to perform tricks to involving his Dad in a local yo-yo contest. If you happen upon yo-yo YouTube, you will undoubtedly find Brandon, and he’s suitable for all ages.
Gentry Stein
Gentry’s signature move is the DNA trick, and he’s great for beginners to learn. His channel shows step-by-step instructions that include technique, timing, hand/yo-yo alignment, and creativity in the art of the yo-yo. Stein is a world champion, so he is also invited to incredibly cool places.
Ann Bubak
A sponsored creator from yo-yo Factory, Bubak’s channel gears itself toward beginners. She explains essential terms like a “responsive” vs “non-responsive” yo-yo. If I were learning along with my kids, I would start here.
Bella Freestylin’
She is a teenager who honestly deserves more views. She began only about a year ago and quickly became one of the coolest yo-yo champions around. Truly an inspiration whose tutorials show every step needed to perform tricks.
Lucas Decker
If your kids like the loud, Mr. Beast wannabes on YouTube, unboxing videos, or any combination of those, then Decker might be a good entry point. The Yo-yo Factory also sponsors him and focuses on how the different kinds work differently, which is always interesting.
If your kid is into Godspeed (Angelo Aguirre) on TikTok, they’ll probably enjoy this history of how his tricks began and evolved. It also has a cool clip of Aguirre messing up in a competition, proving the concept that editing and multiple takes are the key to cool on YouTube.
A Short History of the Yo-yo
The yo-yo possibly started as a weapon that could hit wild animals from a distance, or as part of an offering to Greek gods by children. The weapon/toy kicked around Europe with a limiting design, the string tied in a knot around the axle. When Pedro Flores immigrated to California from the Philippines in the 1920s, however, he brought the toy with him. Hoping to study law, Flores worked as a bellboy and he noticed his tricks were popular with guests at the San Francisco hotel where he worked.
According to flip science, Flores innovated the more simplistic design: “Instead of simply tying the axle to the end of a string, he doubled the length of the string and looped it around the axle. This design, called the looped slip-string, allowed the yo-yo to spin with greater stability and suspension of movement. This, in turn, enabled the player to perform a wide range of tricks that previously weren’t possible.”
Flores founded his own company and popularized the wooden toy by producing yo-yo spinning contests across the United States. His company was bought by Donald Duncan, who switched the material to plastic and employed a team to demonstrate and sell the toy throughout the 1930s.
From there, the yo-yo found its way into many pop culture favorites, including:
- 1930s: Felix the Cat and Popeye mostly used the toy as a weapon or tool
- 1960s: The Sting, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, where they used a yo-yo to cheat at cards
- 1980s: The music video for “Beat It” by Michael Jackson used one to display Jackson’s stellar dancing skill
- 1990s: Toy Story, starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, where Woody defended himself with the toy
- 2000s: The television show The Amazing Race used one to complete challenges
Image Credits: Canva
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Read More Reviews: Pranks & Challenges
Sources:
- “How the Godspeed Yoyo Trick Became a Viral TikTok Trend,” uploaded by Brandon Vu, 16 October 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omcLfyApifU.
- Francisco, Mikael Angelo, “Did Ancient Filipinos Really Invent the Yo-yo?” flip science, 15 November 2018, https://www.flipscience.ph/technology/did-filipino-invent-yo-yo/.