10 Best Yo-Yos for Kids and Teens Reviewed in 2024
Ana
Jessica Mentzer
When it comes to toys, this generation has a way to make even the oldest of toys seem new--like the yo-yo which has been around for millennia! It’s said that the yo-yo was invented back in 500 B.C., and of course, it has undergone an evolution since then. It originally was made from wood and then plastic starting in the '60s and metal in the late '90s. There are many cool tricks that can be performed with a yo-yo. Not only will this help your child's hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills, but this will also be endless hours of fun for them.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 22 hrs of research
Anti-Corrosive
Unique design
Long sleep time
Comes with 3 yoyo strings
10 Best Yo-Yo's for Kids Reviewed
1. Unresponsive Polished Alloy
Anti-Corrosive
Unique design
Long sleep time
Comes with 3 yoyo strings
Aluminum makes the yo-yo a little heavy
This yo-yo is geared towards people who are past the beginner's stage. However, there are plenty of tutorials offered if this happens to be your child’s first yo-yo. With your purchase, you also get a gift package, glove, three yo-yo strings, and a mesh storage bag.
Read moreDesign
Has your little one mastered responsive yoyos? If so, they’re ready for the P-Lotor unresponsive yo-yo. This yoyo’s come in several colors and designs
Entertainment Value
The long sleep time will allow your child to perform more tricks, thus maximizing the fun. We love that design of the yoyo allows it to sit comfortably in your hand and it’s deep rims allow you to perform thumb grinds with ease.
Effectiveness
The shape of the yo-yo fits comfortably inside the hand. The deep rims make it perfect for performing thumb grinds.
Durability
This yo-yo is made of aluminum which makes it durable and won’t corrode. It’s the perfect yo-yo for your child to perform tricks as it has a long sleep time if thrown strong.
2. King Custom Natural Wooden
Different fonts offered for customization
Provides more control
No Binding
Affordable
Great beginner yoyo
Can’t do expert tricks
If your child loves to yo-yo, this next yo-yo will make the perfect gift. The YoYo King Wooden yoyo allows for you to customize it with their name! When purchasing you can choose between four different fonts to fit your child’s style.
Read moreDesign
If this is your child’s first yo-yo, their main goal will be to learn how to throw and catch the yo-yo. Wooden yo-yos are easy to throw and catch as they provide the player with more control.
Entertainment Value
It is a responsive yo-yo so even your beginner yoyoer can enjoy it. The customization is great if you have multiple children, as it will eliminate fighting and any confusion.
Effectiveness
Your child will not have to worry about binding, and wooden yo-yos are not slick like metal yoyos. It does offer shorter spin times, but that adds a little extra challenge for your child.
Durability
We think it is super cool that these yoyos can be customized, especially in four different fonts. We love that wooden yoyos provide more control for the player, making it a great yoyo for beginners
3. MAGICYOYO YoYo K1-Plus with Yoyo Sack
High quality plastic YoYo for learning or beginners
Improved design with heavier weight and better response time
Easy string detangling or removal
Set features: Yoyo, glove, bag, and replacement strings
Promotes fine motor skill development
Extra-long strings that have to be trimmed
String easily gets caught in bearing
The high quality design of this YoYo is what makes it stand apart from others in the industry. It features a high quality plastic that makes it slightly heavier than others. It is the perfect YoYo for people just starting to learn a few tricks. It is designed to be the perfect beginner piece because of the weight and design.
Read moreDesign
Professional grade YoYos of this level is hard to find with this quality and precision. This piece has been designed to allow learners to be able to pick it up and start leaners right away. The design, the weight, and the response times really highlight what the sport is all about. Recently the design underwent an update and the improved plastic materials and the response time make it even better than the perverse great version.
Entertainment Value
Performing tricks and working with a YoYo can seem like such a challenge, but it is actually super entertaining especially with a device like this one. It has been created for entertainment, but it was also designed to be able to perform some of the most advanced acrobatic tricks and allows the user to perform some pretty fancy entertainment.
Effectiveness
Promoting creativity and training the fine eye are just a few skills that this YoYo offers. Because of the quality of the YoYo and the way it has been designed it allows many different users at different levels to be able to perform and master their skills with ease. It is great at promoting the development of younger users, but it also very entertaining for older kids as well.
Durability
One of the biggest issues with YoYos is the string getting stuck or tangled. The designers of this device have created this model with a simple solution. When the issue is present the string can actually be removed by taking the YoYo apart. The two hemispheres of the device can be taken apart then the string is released. Once the tangle or releasing of the string takes place the two hemispheres go by together with a tightening. Then back to the action, it is.
4. Duncan Butterfly
Highly Affordable
Great for Beginners
Comes in a variety of colors
Durable
Does not screw apart
If you’re looking for a yo-yo without all of the bells and whistles, the Duncan Butterfly yo-yo is perfect for you! It is the perfect yo-yo to learn on as its fixed metal axle won’t allow long sleep times or fancy tricks
Read moreDesign
We love how basic this yoyo is, simply because it makes it great for anyone who is wanting to learn. It is also extremely affordable so there’s no doubt that you will get your money’s worth.
Entertainment Value
It will allow all of the beginner's basic yo-yo tricks. It is available in green, orange, red, or blue. This classic yo-yo is the original Butterfly design, hence the name.
Effectiveness
Seeing as how this is a basic yo-yo, it is very easy to use which makes it perfect for your little one wanting to learn.
Durability
This yo-yo is made of durable plastic and a cotton string. Being made of plastic this yo-yo has a good density and rotation to it
5. Merlin Pro Blue
Extra String and silicone response pads included
Longer spin times
Can easily take apart to add wide C bearing
Durable
The string may easily tangle for beginners
Loud noise when yoyo sleeps
The Yoyo King Blue Melin is a responsive yo-yo, which makes it great for beginners. However, you can easily make it an unresponsive yo-yo by installing a wide C bearing.
Read moreDesign
This is a ball bearing yo-yo which provides longer spin times. This particular listing is for the blue merlin, but the merlin does come in a variety of colors.
Entertainment Value
We find this yoyo to be extremely affordable because of how easily it can be transformed from a responsive to an unresponsive yoyo
Effectiveness
Once your child moves past the beginner stage they can continue to advance their skills on the same yoyo that fostered their passion by turning it into an unresponsive yoyo.
Durability
The wide shape of this yo-yo makes it easier for the string to catch it while performing tricks. The yo-yo is made of a tough plastic which makes it durable for those tricks that aren’t quite landed. The weight of the yo-yo provides long fast spins.
6. Professional Magicyoyo P.LOTOR
Newest addition to the unresponsive YoYo industry
Features a center bearing: adopted size C KK
Constructed from high quality aluminum
Designed with wide shape making performing fun and easy
Comes with great packaging perfect for gift giving
Finish wears away from the aluminum after heavy use
Bearing does not have a dust guard
It is one of the newest YoYos added to the market from this team. It is one of the most unresponsive devices that they have created yet. It features an adopted bearing: size C KK and has one of the best stable revolutions available. It really has some speed, but can also hold one of the longest sleep as well. It is a great mix of both.
Read moreDesign
When they designed this YoYo it was designed with the professional in mind. It has been constructed from high quality aluminum with an anodic oxidation coating. The device is truly it a work of art and displays some of the best craftsmanship in the industry. One of the best things about the design it is a full streamlined design which gives it a shining look that really catches people's eye.
Entertainment Value
Performing tricks with this YoYo is amazing. It will make even some of the unseasoned professionals looking like they have been doing this for many years. The unresponsive design along with the customized wide shape makes tricks look super smooth. Each time that this device comes out it will truly make everyone think it is one of a kind device.
Effectiveness
Everyone can’t wait to get this YoYo in their hand. From the time that they open the package and see the clean lines, the excellent craftsmanship ship, and awesome finish they will want to get their hands on it right away. Then once they pick it up and feel the balance, the weight, and the comfort it brings to the hand they will not want to put it down.
Durability
The finish on this YoYo is what makes it unique to the industry. Because of the aluminum construction, it is able to feature an anti-corrosive finish will last for many years. It performs well and looks great doing it, plus it comes with a great package that makes giving this YoYo to any recipient a wonderful experience.
7. Magic Original T8 Shadow
Long Sleep Time
Improves Consistency & Accuracy
Durable string & yoyo
Smooth Spins
Does not come with extra strings or carrying pouch
The Magic T8 Shadow is an unresponsive yo-yo that is great for children who have excelled past the beginner stage and are looking for a more challenging yoyo. The shiny gold color is sure to appeal to yoyoers everywhere.
Read moreDesign
Its thin design makes the perfect yo-yo for performing fast style tricks. The yo-yo is made out of aluminum and comes with a durable cotton string.
Entertainment Value
The thin design is going to improve your child’s accuracy as it is harder to land tricks. The smooth aluminum makes this yo-yo great for grinding.
Effectiveness
It also ensures that the yo-yo can take tons of hits to the floor or wall without breaking. The ball bearing axle allows the yo-yo to spin super smoothly.
Durability
The thin design of this yoyo will improve your child’s hand eye coordination as they work to land tricks. The durability of the yoyo and the provided string guarantee that will last as your child learns and masters the skill of yoyoing.
8. F.A.S.T. 201 Professional Red
Aerodynamic design makes it easy to use
Great for practicing complex tricks
Good for beginners
Easy to take apart and fix
The metal bearings make an audible noise when in use
Let’s be honest; this yo-yo is great because it comes in four different colors! We’re just kidding. What makes this yo-yo the perfect option for kids is its design, smooth features, and ease of use. The F.A.S.T. 201 is a great yo-yo for kids who are serious about pursuing hardcore yo-yo tricks, but it also lends itself to be used by kids who aren’t as serious and are starting out as beginners as well.
Read moreDesign
The use of a special aerodynamic design puts this yo-yo far ahead of the competition.
Entertainment Value
It has a decent catch-and-release time, it’s smooth on the string and offers no resistance when trying out new tricks.
Effectiveness
For performance and style, this yo-yo has to be on your list. For the price, it offers features that you’d get with any other professional yo-yo, but it looks better and out-performs many others.
Durability
There has been many a time where professional products were amazing for the professionals using them but really complicated and overwhelming for beginners who wanted high quality. This yo-yo is one of the best, yet doesn’t overcomplicate things or make it so that the user needs to be a professional.
9. YoYoFactory Velocity
Designed for smoothness and speed
High-quality materials that hold up
Quick return and release
Easy to fix if necessary
The string is not very strong
If your child is a yo-yo fan then YoYo Factory is one brand you should be very familiar with. The Velocity YoYo is built for speed and is made with top-quality materials just like all of their others, but this one does differ slightly in performance since it is built for speed.
Read moreDesign
Whereas other yo-yos allow for better trick-performing and slower sequences, the Velocity Yoyo is insanely smooth with virtually zero resistance for a quick return and release while yo-yo-ing.
Entertainment Value
Depending on which type of yo-yo your child is looking for if they want something that’ll take no time at all to make its way back to them and can be dropped quicker than you can say “yo-yo”, this is it.
Effectiveness
The agility and rate at which this yo-yo operates are somewhat unmatched by other modern yo-yos, simply because of its smooth design. It’s a no-hitch yo-yo that won’t get stuck or caught and will allow your child to perform their best -- and fastest --tricks.
Durability
In addition to the promise of YoYo Factory’s highest-quality materials, this yo-yo also comes with the promise of speed.
10. T5 Overlord Purple
The smooth track leaves no resistance
Cool metallic color
Easy to use
Good for practicing tricks such as “sleep”
It can be damaged easily
How cool does this yo-yo look? It’s definitely unique as far as style goes and incorporates somewhat of a minimalist look to it. This is perfect for kids who like to stand out and are looking for a yo-yo that’s different from the rest but still performs as a top-notch, professional yo-yo would. While the metallic exterior of this yo-yo makes it look awesome, let’s talk about what’s going on inside it.
Read moreDesign
It leaves enough space for the string to behave naturally which makes it less likely to get caught up, which improves the overall speed and return of the yo-yo. It’s a great option for kids who don’t want anything fancy but like the look of a high-end yo-yo
Entertainment Value
No fuss, no problem -- That’s what we’re saying about this T5 Overlord yo-yo. The metallic purple is cool and all, but so is the fact that this yo-yo will open up a whole new world of tricks for your child.
Effectiveness
The simplicity of this yo-yo is what makes it so beautiful. Your child can perform tricks like a pro without worrying about an overly complicated, complex toy. oyos most notable features.
Durability
The metal track for the yo-yo string is smooth, without any hitches or other materials that could potentially derail a yo-yo in the middle of a trick.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
We know that for parents it can be super-challenging to get your children to put down their electronics. We also know that you’re probably thinking, “It’s going to be even harder to replace these electronics with a yo-yo!”
Entertainment Value
We made sure to pick the perfect yo-yo that would provide fun not just for your child but for anyone who has a love for them. There are a variety of yo-yos on this list that are great for beginners and there are even plenty of yo-yos that will entertain those a little bit more skilled. Responsive yo-yos are always a good choice for beginners and will help them learn cool simple tricks that your child will be able to show off.
Effectiveness
With unresponsive yo-yos, these are better for skilled players who might want to conquer those tricks that are a little bit more challenging. Whichever type you choose, your child will have fun, reduce stress and increase their creativity with every loop, thumb grind, or walk the dog they perform.
Durability
Actually, it might be easier than you think! When creating this list of the top 10 yo-yos for children, we wanted to make sure that the toys we picked would help aid in your child's development. We looked at what each yo-yo was made of and what would be suitable for any age. We’re very confident that you will find the perfect toy for your child to play with.
Design Entertainment Value Effectiveness Durability 
While playing with this specific toy, it helps stimulate several areas of your child’s development. While your child learns to yo-yo and starts mastering all the tricks and tips that come with it, they’re improving their hand-eye coordination skill while having fun. As your child works to land the yo-yo on the string, they’ll also improve their accuracy.
When creating our list, we made sure that each yo-yo was made of nothing but safe materials. Not only are the plastic, wood, and aluminum yo-yos completely safe but they also have other benefits to them as well. These toys are durable and can withstand countless hits and bumps before breaking.
Other Factors to Consider
Educational Value
Tricks that your child can learn while practicing the art of yo-yo also require certain speeds which will enhance their coordination as well. Even handling the toy will better develop your child’s motor skills. Their social skills will also increase as other children will want to crowd around them to see their cool tricks, and they may even ask your child how to do the trick too which will help your child’s confidence.
Materials
If your child has one that’s made from aluminum it won’t corrode, so that if there’s a yo-yo battle with water it will come out completely victorious. The plastic yo-yos are lightweight and easier for little hands to hold. Many of these yo-yos include cotton or polyester strings but either option is strong and durable to make your child's yo-yo long-lasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What is the difference between a responsive yo-yo and an unresponsive yo-yo?
A responsive yo-yo comes back to your hand with a slight tug. Unresponsive yo-yos are for more skilled yo-yoers and you will have to do some binding to get the yo-yo back to your hand.
q: Do both responsive and unresponsive yo-yos perform the same tricks?
No. Unresponsive yo-yos can’t do looping tricks and responsive yo-yos can’t do whips.
q: What are some yo-yo tricks beginners can do?
Learning how to string, wind, and throw a yo-yo are the first things to be learned. Walk the dog and the elevator are two tricks beginners can pick up easily.
q: What is the best string to use for my yo-yo?
We recommend using polyester strings as they are very durable and last longer than cotton.
q: My child is an intermediate yo-yoer. Should I buy him one with a clutch system?
No! Clutch systems are for beginners as they don’t require the player to tug to get the string back. If your child is an intermediate player, they will not find a yo-yo with a clutch system entertaining or challenging.
q: Does it matter what kind of axle my yo-yo has?
Yes. A yo-yo with a fixed axle is better for beginners. A yo-yo with a ball bearing axle is better for skilled players, as it allows you to perform more complex tricks.
Sources
- , Yo-yo Materials , Informative Article
- , Different Types of Yoyo String Yoyo Trick, Informative Video
- , 7 cool things you didn’t know about yo-yos, Informative Article
- , Why you should play with a yo-yo, Blog Article
- , How Professional Throwers Are Building a Better Yo-Yo, Informative Article
