High five facts for kids

A high five is a fun hand gesture that two people do together. It's usually a way to show excitement, celebrate a shared success, or just say hello! When you give a high five, you slap your open hand against someone else's open hand, often in the air. The "five" in "high five" refers to the five fingers on each hand.

A high five

What is a High Five?

A high five is a simple yet powerful way to connect with another person. It involves two people raising one hand each, usually their right hand, and slapping their palms together. This quick, friendly action is often done in the air, above the head, which is why it's called a "high" five. It's a universal sign of happiness and teamwork.

How to Give a Great High Five

Giving a good high five is easy!

• First, look at the other person's elbow, not their hand. This helps you aim better.
• Then, raise your hand and meet their hand with a firm, quick slap.
• You can add a sound effect like "Yeah!" or "Alright!" to make it even more exciting.

High fives are used all over the world in many different situations.

Where Did the High Five Come From?

The exact beginning of the high five is a bit of a mystery, but many people believe it became popular in American sports.

Early High Five Moments

One famous story involves a professional baseball player named Dusty Baker. On October 2, 1977, he hit a home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As he ran to home plate, his teammate, Glenn Burke, raised his hand to greet him. Dusty Baker slapped it, and many believe this was the first televised high five. Glenn Burke later said he invented it as a way to celebrate with his teammates.

Another story suggests that the high five was used even earlier in basketball. In the late 1970s, the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team might have used it. A player named Wiley Brown reportedly gave a high five to his teammate Derek Smith during a game in 1979.

Spreading the Gesture

No matter its exact start, the high five quickly spread beyond sports. It became a popular way for people to show friendship, agreement, and celebration in everyday life. It's now a common gesture used by people of all ages around the world.

Why Do People High Five?

People use high fives for many reasons. It's more than just a hand slap; it's a way to communicate without words.

Celebrating Success

The most common reason for a high five is to celebrate a success.

• When a team scores a goal.
• When someone finishes a difficult task.
• When friends get good news.

It's a quick way to share joy and show that you're happy for someone or proud of a shared achievement.

Showing Support and Friendship

High fives can also show support or friendship.

• A coach might high five a player to encourage them.
• Friends might high five each other to say hello or goodbye.
• It can even be a way to show agreement or that you're on the same page as someone else.

Fun Variations

There are also fun variations of the high five, like the "air five" (where hands don't actually touch) or the "too slow" trick, where one person pretends to give a high five but then pulls their hand away. These variations add humor and playfulness to the gesture.

Images for kids

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  A high five between two U.S. Navy Sailors

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  The gesture might have originated in American professional sports. Photo of Drew Storen (right) and Wilson Ramos of the Washington Nationals in 2011.

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  Two women engaging in an air five

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  "Up high."

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  "Down low."

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  "Too slow!" (with finger-guns)