Object manipulation facts for kids

Object manipulation is a fun way to play or perform by moving objects around with your hands or body. Think of it as a type of skill where you control different items. Many of these skills are famous circus skills.

You might also see object manipulation in sports, magic shows, or even with everyday items. People often use special props made just for this purpose. These can include balls, clubs, hoops, rings, poi, staffs, and devil sticks for circus acts. Magicians use props like cards and coins. Sports might involve nunchaku or footballs.

But you don't always need special gear! You can manipulate almost any object. When you use an ordinary item in a new and unexpected way, different from its usual purpose, that's also object manipulation.

Some people who are good at object manipulation also perform with fire. This is when special props are soaked in fuel and lit on fire. It's a very exciting way to show off these skills!

Different Kinds of Object Manipulation

There are many different ways to manipulate objects. These skills are often grouped into categories. However, some skills might fit into more than one group, or even none at all! Let's explore some of the main types.

Juggling and Tossing Skills

A person juggling five balls in the air.

Juggling is a physical skill where you control objects for fun, entertainment, or even as a sport. The most common type is toss juggling, where you throw and catch items. You can juggle one object or many, using one hand or both.

Jugglers often call the things they juggle "props." The most common props are balls, clubs, or rings. Some jugglers use more exciting objects like knives, flaming torches, or even chainsaws! The word "juggling" can also mean other skills that use props. These include diabolo, devil sticks, poi, cigar boxes, contact juggling, hooping, and hat manipulation.

Here are some examples:

• Juggling
  • Contact juggling
  • Toss juggling
• Chinlone
• Cigar box (juggling)
• Devil sticks
• Diabolo
• Flair bartending
• Footbag
• Hat manipulation

Spinning and Twirling Skills

A boy playing with a diabolo.

Spinning and twirling involve rotating an object for exercise, play, or performance. You can spin an object directly with your hands or fingers. You can also use other body parts. Sometimes, you spin an object indirectly, like with devil sticks or flower sticks, where you use other sticks to control them.

The idea of twirling comes from old combat skills and traditional dances. Many twirling skills have become very popular, especially in the circus.

Here are some examples:

• Chinese yo-yo
• Club swinging
• Devil sticks
• Diabolo
• Eskimo yo-yo
• Fanning
• Fire staff
• Flagging
• Freestyle nunchaku
• Glowsticking
• Hooping
  • Hula hooping
• Padiddling
• Plate spinning
• Poi spinning
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Trick roping
• Twirling
  • Baton twirling
  • Color guard and winter guard
• Yo-yo

Skill Toys

A combination of pen spinning tricks.

Skill toys are objects that are more like toys than traditional juggling props. They need a special kind of skill to do different tricks. These toys are also often used as fidget toys.

Here are some examples:

• Astrojax
• Begleri
• Kendama
• Rolling pin
• The Jammer
• Pen spinning
• Butterfly knife
• Knucklebone

Dexterity Skills

Dexterity skills are those that don't usually fit into the other categories of object manipulation. Many of these skills use items that aren't typically thought of as props. Examples include dice, cups, or lighters.

Here are some examples:

• Cardistry
• Card manipulation
• Clackers
• Coin manipulation
• Dice stacking
• Isolation
• Knife throwing
• Shuffling
• Sport stacking, also known as cup stacking
• Whipcracking