The Chinese yoyo ("Chinese yo-yo" as some spell it or "diabolo") has millenia of history behind it. Accomplished users will tell you there is a serious skill element to it. The Chinese yoyo is one of those toys that a person can pick up the basics on in an afternoon of practice, but there are literally no end to the number of tricks you can learn and invent with this toy.

The Chinese Yoyo (or Chinese yo-yo): What is it?

The Chinese yoyo ("Chinese yo-yo" as some spell it or "diabolo") has millenia of history. It was invented, as you might imagine, in China, where models still exist that are up to 400 years old.

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Choosing the right Chinese yoyo can be tough: Watch our video to decide!

Chinese Yoyo construction

The Chinese yoyo has three main parts: a left cone, a right cone, and an axle in the middle. You use two sticks and some string to spin it fast enough so that you can control it on the string.

The design truly ends up being exactly that of a western yoyo. The only difference is that instead of just letting gravity give the toy its acceleration, you provide the acceleration yourself by deftly raising and lowering the sticks.

Your set will come with the Chinese yoyo, which has an eye-catching hourglass shape, as well as a pair of handsticks and string to tie the handsticks together. It spins on the string and permits multiple, simultaneous yo-yo manipulation.

Who can play with a Chinese yoyo?

The Chinese yo-yo is an excellent toy for kids to play with, but Chinese of all ages actually use it as an exercise device. In parks throughout Beijing, you can see many elderly people playing with Chinese yo-yos for hours a day. This helps them keep up their muscle mass, maintain flexibility, and keep their minds sharp. After all, this toy requires a lot of skill to properly handle.

Jugglers love the Chinese yo-yo because there are so many tricks you can do with it. You can throw it behind your back or high in the air. You can play with multiple yo-yos simultaneously (some experts can juggle up to 4 at a time or more!) As long as the yoyo keeps spinning, you can control it.

Factors in choosing the right Chinese yo-yo

Different Chinese yoyos are good for different terrain. On the beach, for example, you can use a hard plastic yoyo, because the sand will cushion the fall. This in turn will give you high performance. However, if you are juggling Chinese yoyos on a hard surface, there are many flexible plastic versions that will not break on impact.

Size varies as well, from just a couple inches up to jumbo-sized yo-yos. The smaller ones will allow for higher throws and faster manipulation, while larger ones will maintain their spin for longer sleep times.

How long until I can master the Chinese yo-yo?

Long-time users will tell you there is a definite skill element to playing with a Chinese yoyo. However, it is one of those toys that a person can pick up the basics on in literally an afternoon of practice, but there is no end to the number of tricks you can learn and invent with this toy.

We carry the largest selection of Chinese yoyos available at JugglingStore.com. Each one varies by size, weight, brand, and material. With so many choices, we know choosing your perfect Chinese yo-yo can be a bit overwhelming. That's why we created videos on how to select the right brand for your experience and juggling goals.