Space hopper facts for kids
A space hopper is a fun, bouncy toy that looks like a big rubber ball with handles. You can sit on it, hold the handles, and hop around! It's also known by many other names, like a moon hopper, skippyball, kangaroo ball, or hippity hop.
This bouncy toy is very popular in the United Kingdom, where it's usually called a "space hopper." In the United States, people might know it as a "hoppity hop" or "sit n bounce." A similar toy from the 1980s was the pogo ball, which had a hard plastic ring around the ball instead of handles.
What is a Space Hopper?
A space hopper is a large, strong rubber ball. It's usually about 60 to 70 centimeters (about 2 feet) wide. It has two rubber handles sticking out from the top. These handles make it easy to hold on while you bounce.
You can inflate the ball using a bicycle pump or a car tire pump through a special valve at the top. Once it's full of air, it's ready for bouncing!
How to Use a Space Hopper
Using a space hopper is simple and fun! You just sit on top of the inflated ball and hold onto the two handles. Then, you push off the ground with your feet and bounce up and down. The bouncy nature of the ball helps you move forward.
By leaning your body, you can steer the space hopper in different directions. While it might not be the fastest way to travel, it's a super fun way to play. Kids love space hoppers because they are easy to use, not too expensive, and look cheerful. They are a great way to get active and have a laugh!
Images for kids
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Sun's Hoppity Horse, from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis collection
