Juggle Like a Pro


Juggle: To keep several objects in the air by throwing, passing, and catching them quickly

Juggler: A person who can juggle

When I was in 4th grade a neighbor showed me how to juggle.  I thought it was so cool. He used baseballs to teach me, but I think the best way to learn how to juggle is to use scarves.  

You can buy material to make scarves at any fabric store.  The best kind is called “tulle.” To make a scarf, cut the material into squares about 18 inches by 18 inches.  Make two scarves each for you and a friend.  

There are three parts to scarf juggling: the throw, the catch, and the pass.

The Throw
Hold the middle of the scarf in your right hand.  Throw the scarf up in the air, lifting your arm up as you throw the scarf.   Now try throwing the scarf with your left hand.  (Photos 1 and 2)  

The Catch
Throw the scarf up in the air with your right hand, and catch it with your left hand.  When you catch it, claw the scarf like a lion.  Practice throwing the scarf with your right hand and catching it with your left hand, then back from your left hand to your right hand.  (Photo 3)

 
The Pass
Hold the scarf in your right hand.  Pass it from your right hand to your left hand as if you are passing a ball.  Make a clapping sound as you pass the scarf.  Then pass the scarf back to your left hand.  (Photos 4 and 5) 

Putting Together the Throw, the Pass, and the Catch
Hold one scarf in your right hand.  Throw the scarf high in the air. Catch the scarf with your left hand.  Now, pass the scarf from your left hand back to your right hand.  It’s as if you are making a big circle in the air with the scarf.   

Juggling With Two Scarves
Hold one scarf in each hand.  Throw the scarf from your right hand up in the air.  While the scarf from your right hand is in the air, take the scarf from your left hand and pass it to your right hand. Remember to clap as you do this.  (See the video.)

After you pass the scarf from your left hand to your right hand, catch the scarf that’s still in the air, with your left hand.  You should end up with one scarf in each hand.

As you juggle two scarves, say to yourself, “Throw, pass, catch. Throw, pass, catch.”

More Juggling Tricks

Now that you are juggling like a pro, here are more fun things to try with your scarves.

Throw the scarf under your leg

Throw the scarf behind your back

Throw the scarf up in the air, spin around and catch it

Catch the scarf on your head

Catch the scarf on your knee

Catch the scarf on your nose

Pass your scarf to a friend