June 6 marks National Yo-Yo Day, a celebration of one of the world’s oldest and most enduring toys. The date honors the birthday of Donald F. Duncan Sr., the entrepreneur who helped turn the yo-yo into an American craze, but the yo-yo’s story starts much earlier.
Versions of the toy date back to ancient Greece (around 500 B.C.), and the modern iteration is believed to have originated in the Philippines, where yo-yo means “come-come” in Tagalog. In the 1920s, Filipino-American Pedro Flores began mass-producing yo-yos in California, eventually selling his company to Duncan.
Today, yo-yo culture is alive and well — just ask Abby Brodsky, a professional yo-yo performer and educator based in Baltimore. “I got started in 2012 when I was 13,” she says. “I found an old Duncan Proyo in a drawer and just started messing around with it. Once I got it going up and down, I was hooked.”
Abby, who placed 3rd in the 2018 U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest, sees the toy as both playful and powerful. “My favorite part is that it’s a blank canvas for creativity,” she says. “You can experiment with movement, energy, string — suddenly, you’ve created a new trick.”
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And her advice for beginners who are just getting started? “Mistakes are part of the process. I can’t recall many tricks I got on the first try. It’s okay to wind up, shake it off, and go again. That’s how everyone learns — even pros.”
She encourages newbies to celebrate National Yo-Yo Day by giving the toy a spin — but just make sure you have the right gear. “Some drugstore yo-yos are just garbage. I recommend the Duncan Butterfly XT. It’s like $6 at Walmart or Target and perfect for learning or reliving your ‘90s glory days.”
(We did a little price shopping — and it looks like inflation has hit yo-yos, too; the Butterfly currently retails for $8.99 at Walmart, but you can still get started for less than $10… and there aren’t many hobbies you can say that about!)
How to celebrate National Yo-Yo Day
Learn a new trick. Whether you’re brand-new or a little rusty, today’s a great day to try a classic move like “Rock the Baby” or “Walk the Dog.” These beginner-friendly tricks are the perfect entry point — satisfying to master and impressive to show off.
Host a contest. Get competitive — or just silly — by organizing a mini yo-yo showdown. Whether it’s a family face-off, a neighborhood block party addition, or a friendly office challenge, a few rounds of freestyle tricks or timed spin-offs can bring a lot of laughs (and maybe a few tangled strings). Bonus points for themed trophies or homemade medals.
Share your skills online. Capture your tricks on camera and post a video to your favorite social platform. It’s a fun way to join the global celebration — and maybe even inspire someone else to give yo-yoing a try. Tag your post with #NationalYoYoDay so fellow fans can find it.
Buy a new yo-yo (or dig yours out). Haven’t owned a yo-yo in a while? This is the perfect excuse. Support a local toy shop if you can, or pick up a highly recommended beginner model like the Duncan Butterfly XT. Already have one? Give it some love with a string change and a tune-up — and maybe share it with a curious kid nearby.
Embrace the mental reset. A yo-yo isn’t just a toy — it’s a little mental health break. The rhythmic motion, focus, and satisfaction of landing a trick can be surprisingly meditative. Take 5 minutes today to step away from your screen and just play.
Watch some legends at work. Still need a little motivation? Search for national and world yo-yo competition clips online — they’re mesmerizing. From intricate string choreography to jaw-dropping speed, these performances showcase just how much is possible with this simple-looking toy.
If you need a little inspiration, you can check out more videos and tricks from Abby Brodsky on Instagram. Happy spinning!
