National Yo-yo Day

National Yo-Yo Day was established on the birthday of Donald F. Duncan, Sr., an American entrepreneur and inventor who founded the Duncan Toys Company. Duncan was not the inventor of the yo-yo, but he is often miscredited with inventing it due to his marketing efforts and the fact that “Yo-Yo” was a trademark of his company from 1930 until 1965. Remember the accomplishments of Donald F. Duncan, Sr. on National Yo-Yo Day!

Celebrate this quirky holiday by buying a yo-yo and teaching yourself some new tricks for beginners on National Yo-Yo Day, such as “Walk the Dog,” “Flying Saucer/UFO,” and “Forward Pass.” If you are already experienced with using yo-yos, try to teach yourself a more challenging trick, such as “Orbit the Leg,” “Brain Twister Mount,” or “Offstring Barrel Roll.” Hold a competition with your friends and see who can claim the title of “National Yo-Yo Day Champion!”

National Yo-Yo Day Interesting Facts

• The yo-yo is the second oldest toy in the world.
• In Ancient Greece, yo-yos were made of materials such as terracotta, wood, and metal. They were often decorated with pictures of the gods etched into the material.
• As a rite of passage into adulthood in Ancient Greece, children would place their yo-yos on their family altar.
• The first yo-yo competition was held in London, England, in 1932.
• The world’s largest display of yo-yos can be found in Chico, California.
• The National Yo-Yo Museum houses the world’s largest yo-yo (256 pounds) and the world’s largest display of yo-yos.
• The highest price ever paid for a yo-yo is $16,029.00, due to the fact that it was signed by former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and presented to country singer Roy Acuff in 1974.
• Jeffrey Hoffman took the first yo-yo into space aboard the shuttle Atlantis in 1992.
• Shinji Saito, the eleven-time, double-handed world champion, is considered by many to be the best yo-yoer in the world.
• In 17th century France, there are reports that General Napoleon Bonaparte and his troops were playing with yo-yos before the Battle of Waterloo as a form of stress relief.

National Yo-Yo Day Jokes

• Why did the yo-yo cross the road? It was walking the dog.
• What do a yo-yo and life have in common? They have their ups and downs.
• What goes “buzz… zzub… buzz… zzub?” A bee stuck to a yo-yo.
• What’s a yo-yo’s favorite weird holiday? National Yo-Yo Day!
• Patient: “Doctor, doctor, I keep thinking I’m a yo-yo.” Doctor: “Are you stringing me along?”
• How does a yo-yo greet another yo-yo? Yo!

National Yo-Yo Day Quotes

• “People are not yo-yos. Don’t keep them on a string, toss them out, and then pull them back over and over.” – Susan Gale
• “I tried to throw a yo-yo away. It was impossible.” – Mitch Hedberg

National Yo-Yo Day Destinations

• Go to a store that sells yo-yos and buy one. Alternatively, you could purchase a yo-yo online!
• Take your child or younger brother/sister to the park and teach them how to use a yo-yo.
• Travel to the National Yo-Yo Museum in Chico, CA.

Alternative titles for this holiday include: International Yo-Yo Day, National YoYo Day, International YoYo Day, Yo-Yo Day, and YoYo Day.

When is National Yo-Yo Day in 2025?

National Yo-Yo Day is observed on June 6 each year.

Observations