When I teach, I’m happy to let you use my juggling props. But people frequently have so much fun, they want to know where they can get their own props. I can recommend these sources of juggling props for durable, good quality equipment that aren’t too expensive:
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Juggling balls and bags: I fill used tennis balls with 60cc of water. I like them because the added weight helps people feel the balls better, and they’re free. But most any similar sized ball or bean bag (hacky sack, etc.) will be perfect. The Klutz juggling book comes with excellent bags. You can also get a nice set of juggling balls from Home of Poi.
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Diabolos: I am fond of the HB Tropic diabolo – not too heavy, not too expensive. If you want to try a one-way axle (useful for certain advanced tricks) check out the Spinabolo one-way axle diabolo on Amazon.
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Devil Sticks: My newest devil sticks are from Circus Smirkus, but they don’t carry them on-line. The HB Devil Sticks work great. The Jolly Lama! Green Jolly Jrs are a little smaller and have a full rubber covering on the handsticks for more control
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Spinning plates: Get them from Higgins Brothers Inexpensive, indestructible, loads of fun. (Higgins Brothers makes the ones sold by Circus Smirkus.)
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Clubs: The HB Zappa clubs are very attractive and modestly priced. The HB Euro clubs clubs are a bit cheaper, but appear to have the same durability.
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Rings: I got my rings from Higgins Brothers. Don’t fling them like an Aerobie – they hurt a lot if they hit someone.
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Ribbon Sticks: I wish Schylling would start making ribbon sticks again. But as an alternative, I purchase ribbon sticks from Amazon that work well enough.
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Sock Poi: The sock poi from Home of Poi: are very good and the right price (about $12.50 for a pair), or buy the Empty Sock Poi (about $8) and add your own tennis balls. (I’m less fond of their non-stretch fabric cone poi – they’re not as much fun.) Learners should grab the socks at different points to find a good length.
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Spinning ropes: I use two kinds of ropes when I teach:
- Beginner’s lasso. Get seven feet of 3/8 inch nylon rope at the hardware store. Tie an overhand knot around the rope to make the loop, and another overhand knot at the end to hold on to.
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Ropes for wedding ring and other tricks. About 21-23 feet (for an adult-size loop) of all-cotton clothesline (without a poly/nylon core) works OK. It’s cheap and easy to find. If you can find all-cotton 3/8 inch braided cord, that will work better because it has some “heft”.
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Balancing Sticks: Any yardstick will work fine. Peacock feathers look cool if you can find them, but they blow around if it’s windy, and get beaten up quickly. Remember – any long object is pretty easy to balance if you keep your eye on the top. Try a folding chair, or a ladder. Terrify your parents (or children)!
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Rubber chicken: You’re on your own 🙂
Vendors
- Higgins Brothers: Good, inexpensive juggling props shipped quickly from Canada without any hassles. (Note: I receive a small affiliate fee when you order from Higgins Brothers.)
- Home of Poi: for sock poi. And great videos for learning how to use poi – I’m working my way through them.
- Amazon, of course