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:
- 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.
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Diabolos: I am fond of the Spintastics fixed axle diabolo that you can get on Amazon. Another good beginner diabolo is the HB Tropic – not too heavy, not too expensive.
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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 would work fine. The Jolly Lama! Green Jolly Jrs are a little smaller and have a full rubber covering on the flip and grip sticks for more control
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Spinning plates: Get them from Circus Smirkus or Higgins Brothers Inexpensive, indestructible, loads of fun.
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Clubs: The HB Zappa clubs are very attractive and modestly priced. The HB Moonunit clubs clubs are a bit cheaper, but appear otherwise the same.
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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 keep going back to Schylling Toy’s ribbon stick. The cheap knockoffs from other vendors get beaten up and broken too quickly.
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Sock Poi: The sock poi from Home of Poi: are very good and the right price (about $11 for a pair), or buy the Empty Sock Poi ($4 for the pair) 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.
- Ropes for wedding ring and other tricks. I got it a long time ago, but I think I purchased Sampson solid all-cotton braided 3/8 inch sash cord from Amazon. You’ll need about 21-23 feet for an adult-size loop.
- All-cotton clothesline (without a poly/nylon core) works OK. It’s cheap and easy to find, but doesn’t have the same “body” as the sash cord.
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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.
- Dubé Juggling Equipment: First-rate equipment, although I don’t currently use any from them.
- Van Lodostov Family Circus: Ted Lawrence’s amazing summer circus camp in Norwich. He often opens the store after the performance. Lots of good quality stuff.
- 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