Advanced Yo-Yo Tricks for Kids

The Texas Star Yo-Yo Trick reveals the shining star of Texas in a string formation trick. This trick is also called Ursa Major.

How to Do the Texas Star Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Grab the string with the thumb of your free hand about four to eight inches from the finger-looped end.

Step 2: Swing your yo-yo hand down and catch the string four to eight inches below the thumb of your free hand with your yo-yo hand's ring or pinky finger.

Step 3: Swing your free hand down and loop the string over the top of your free hand's forefinger.

Step 4: Insert your yo-yo thumb through the string triangle. Now grab and pull the hanging string back through the triangle with the back of your thumb.

Step 5: Reach down with your yo-yo finger and pull the string a few inches up with the back of the finger.

Step 6: Open up both hands and allow the star-shaped formation to appear between your two hands. Presto! You've made a Texas Star.

In the One-Handed Star Yo-Yo Trick, you'll learn how to make a star formation in a whole new way. Read about it on the next page.

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Now that you've learned how to form a star with two hands in the Texas Star Yo-Yo Trick, try forming a star with only one hand in the One-Handed Star Yo-Yo Trick. This trick is also called Ursa Minor.

How to Do the One-Handed Star Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Hold your yo-yo hand upright with the string hanging down from the middle finger. Slip your little finger inside the string.

Step 2: Turn your hand slightly and slip your forefinger under the string.

Step 3: Twist your hand slightly in the opposite direction and loop the string around your ring finger.

Step 4: Turn your hand again in the opposite direction and loop it around your thumb. Then, twist your hand downward and pick up the string so that it loops around your middle finger, completing the formation of the small star.

Step 5: Open your hand to display the star.

The Through the Tunnel Yo-Yo Trick is a variation on the Walk the Dog trick. Learn how to perform it on the next page.

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The Through the Tunnel Yo-Yo Trick lets you send your yo-yo through the tunnel instead of "walking your dog." Be careful! This is a tricky trick.

How to Do the Through the Tunnel Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start with your yo-yo hand in a position as if you were going to perform a Throw Down. Instead, throw the yo-yo down and swing it backward, easing into an Around the World backward.

Step 2: As the yo-yo comes around in front of you, spread your legs approximately two feet apart, and let the yo-yo swing through your legs. Gently land it on the ground behind you.

Step 3: Walk the yo-yo along the floor and back to your hand.

When you perform the Rattlesnake Yo-Yo Trick, your yo-yo will look and sound like a rattler. Read about this yo-yo trick on the next page.

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When you perform the Rattlesnake Yo-Yo Trick, tell your audience to watch out for the rattlesnake. It walks and talks like one, but this one doesn't bite! This trick is easier to perform when wearing loose pants.

How to Do the Rattlesnake Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Throw a Sleeper with a sideways motion, as if performing a Sleeping Beauty.

Step 2: Instead of picking up the yo-yo with your free hand, let it spin on its side.

Step 3: Move your leg so that the flailing string brushes against your pants leg. The string should produce a "rattling" sound as it strikes your pants.

The Shoot the Moon Yo-Yo Trick can be dangerous, so don't try it unless you are confident in your yo-yo skills. Read about this yo-yo trick on the next page.

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The Shoot the Moon Yo-Yo Trick can be a dangerous trick. Do not attempt it until you have mastered the basic tricks and have achieved good control over your yo-yo.

How to Do the Shoot the Moon Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Begin by throwing a Forward Pass.

Step 2: As the yo-yo returns, flick your wrist in a semicircular motion, sending the yo-yo almost straight up above your head. The yo-yo will pass very close to your face; this is what makes the trick potentially dangerous. Be careful!

Step 3: As the yo-yo comes down, flick your wrist, and send it back out in front of you.

Step 4: As the yo-yo returns, either catch it or, if you prefer, flick it back upward for a second "moon shot."

You'll need a chair to perform the Elephant's Trunk Yo-Yo Trick. Learn how to do this yo-yo trick on the next page.

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The Elephant's Trunk Yo-Yo Trick can be a lot of fun. If you know how to make an elephant sound, add it to this trick!

How to Do the Elephant's Trunk Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Place a lightweight chair two or three feet in front of you with the back facing you.

Step 2: Throw a fast Sleeper.

Step 3: Swing your yo-yo out in front of you and let it come to rest -- while still spinning -- over the back of the chair. Viola! You've just created an Elephant's Trunk.

Step 4: Give a jerk on the string to bring the yo-yo back to your hand.

The Skyrocket Yo-Yo Trick teaches you how to send your yo-yo blasting off toward outer space. Learn this yo-yo trick on the next page.

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The Skyrocket Yo-Yo Trick is a blast. If you want to take a trip into outer space, here's your chance.

How to Do the Skyrocket Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Start by throwing a fast Sleeper.

Step 2: While the yo-yo is sleeping, take the string off the finger of your yo-yo hand with your free hand. Hold the string with your free hand just below the loop.

Step 3: Jerk the string upward and let go of it as the yo-yo passes your hand. The yo-yo will blast off like a skyrocket. Pull both hands back to clear the way.

Step 4: Once the yo-yo begins to descend, have it "splash down" in your hand. If you want to show off a bit, try catching it in your pant's pocket.

The Man on the Flying Trapeze Yo-Yo Trick lets you send your yo-yo flying in a whole new way. Find out how to do this yo-yo trick on the next page.

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The Man on the Flying Trapeze Yo-Yo Trick is advanced, so being a daring trapeze artist will take some practice to perfect. This is generally considered to be one of the most difficult of all the advanced yo-yo tricks.

How to Do The Man on the Flying Trapeze Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Throw a Breakaway, swinging the yo-yo in an upside down arc in front of your body.

Step 2: When the yo-yo starts to rise on the opposite side of your body, extend the index finger of your free hand out so that it strikes the string about three to five inches from the yo-yo. Allow the yo-yo to loop over your outstretched finger.

Step 3: Let the yo-yo swing around your outstretched finger in an arc and land on the string.

Step 4: Now quickly push your hands together, letting the sleeping yo-yo swing back and forth "trapeze" style.

Step 5: To bring it home, quickly pull your hands apart. The yo-yo will fly upward and over your free hand's forefinger, wind up, and return to your yo-yo hand.

The Double or Nothing Yo-Yo Trick raises the stakes on The Man on the Flying Trapeze trick. Go to the next page if you're up to the challenge.

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After you've mastered The Man On The Flying Trapeze Yo-Yo Trick, give the Double or Nothing Yo-Yo Trick a try. Surprisingly enough, you may find that this trick is slightly easier.

How to Do the Double or Nothing Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Begin by throwing a Breakaway.

Step 2: When the yo-yo starts to rise on the opposite side of your body, extend the index finger of your free hand on the string about three to five inches from the yo-yo, as if setting up to perform a Man On The Flying Trapeze.

Step 3: Let the yo-yo swing around the outstretched index finger of your free hand, just as you would for a Man On The Flying Trapeze. Instead, allow the yo-yo to make a bigger circle and swing around your extended index finger of your yo-yo hand.

Step 4: Let it continue swinging around the index finger of your free hand a second time.

Step 5: Catch the yo-yo on one of the strings between your two index fingers, similar to catching the Man On The Flying Trapeze. Push your hands closer together and let the yo-yo hang slightly below your two hands.

Step 6: To exit the trick, pull your hands apart and "pop" the yo-yo into the air. Let all the loose string slip off your fingers and wind up into the yo-yo. Catch the yo-yo with your yo-yo hand.

The Bank Deposit Yo-Yo Trick is the perfect way to end an act. Go to the next page to learn this ideal finale.

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The Bank Deposit Yo-Yo Trick is an ideal yo-yo trick to finish up a set. If you're looking for a great trick to end your act, it's time you made a Bank Deposit!

How to Do the Bank Deposit Yo-Yo Trick:

Step 1: Pull your left pant pocket open as wide as possible.

Step 2: Throw a hard Sleeper between your legs.

Step 3: Let the yo-yo swing around your leg and into your pocket. This will take some practice.

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