Y is for yo-yo
Does the kid have every new gadget known to toydom? Is Grandpa's drawer already filled with socks and T-shirts? Does Aunty's taste run beyond the realm of your pocketbook?
Then try for simple fun -- with a yo-yo. The yo-yo is Everyman's toy. It's for all ages: "Parents shouldn't say their child is too young," says Donna Borge, of High Performance Kites, where yo-yos abound. "One boy was only 1 1/2 years old when he started, and now, at 6, he's a champion."
Yo-yos are convenient. "Just stick it in your pocket, and you can play any time, anywhere," Borge says.
The classic toy is also versatile, with yo-yos tailor-made for the beginner, intermediate and advanced player. In fact, skill level is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a gift, Borge says.
BETTY SHIMABUKURO / BETTY@ STAR-BULLETIN.COM
A Stealth Brain yo-yo sold at High Performance Kites is a beginner-friendly yo-yo that returns automatically to the player's hand.
"For the beginner, there's a yo-yo with a brain. It has a clutch in it that makes it return up automatically. It is forgiving," she says.
At the other end of the spectrum, advanced yo-yos have roller bearings, which, when the yo-yo is thrown very hard, keep it spinning longer before it returns, good for doing tricks.
Yo-yo newbies can work their way up the skill ladder at free classes held at Ward Warehouse, Windward Mall and Pearlridge Center.
Convinced? Find yo-yos at High Performance Kites, Toys 'N Joys and Special Dreams. Another bonus for the yo-yo gift giver: It fits every budget. Prices range from $1.99 to $150.
Our Christmas countdown continues daily, one letter at a time.
Click for online
calendars and events.
