Workshops

Bring the magic of slinky manipulation to your next event!

"Slinky Josh" Jacobs, founder and sole proprietor of HyperSpring Toys, has taught slinky manipulation to hundreds of people of all ages at workshops around the United States.

His YouTube tutorials on slinky manipulation have been viewed over 1 million times.

Workshop descriptions are listed below.

Send an email to josh@hyperspringtoys.com for bookings or additional information!

Slinky Josh is based near Denver, Colorado.

Digital workshops and private lessons are also available via Zoom!

"Slinky Josh is a SUPERB instructor, performer, artist, and fun instigator. He connects with event participants in a way that brings a smile of joy to every face - no matter the age! His teaching style is well received by multiple types of learners allowing all of them to get that "ah ha!" moment. We love seeing all of the light bulbs flash one by one! Josh is truly a magical addition to PlayThink and we've been honored to have him in a myriad of roles."

-Paige Hankla, Founder/Organizer, PlayThink Movement & Arts Festival

Who is Slinky Josh anyway?

Slinky Josh on America's Got Talent

"Slinky Josh" Jacobs is North America's #1 slinky manipulator, and the founder of HyperSpring Toys. He has over 1 million followers on TikTok, and has been featured on WIRED, America's Got Talent, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show With James Corden, Das Supertalent (Germany's Got Talent), The Gong Show, and MTV's Amazingness. Inspired by a viral video, he has been practicing slinky manipulation since 2015, and teaching it since 2016. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his ferret Nibbler.

Workshop Offerings

Happy slinkinators during a slinky manipulation workshop

New slinky manipulators learning "the bounce"

Slinky Manipulation 101: Learn Slinky Tricks!

Description:

Come learn how to turn a regular ol’ rainbow slinky into a mesmerizing, magical energy beam that will keep you entertained all night long (and beyond)!

What is slinky manipulation, you ask? Slinky manipulation is the art of using one's hands to pull waves of tension through a slinky, allowing one to trace patterns through the air, and often creating the illusion of defying gravity. It originated in China in the early 2010s, and has been popularized in many viral videos.

Participants will first witness a demonstration of slinky manipulation, then learn the fundamentals of this mysterious art form, including how to untangle any slinky, and three fundamental tricks: The Basic Energy Beam, The Basic Bounce, and The Escalator. Mastery of these basics will turn any plastic slinky into an endless source of fun and enjoyment.

No need to BYOS - HyperSprings will be provided for all participants and available for purchase at the conclusion of the workshop.

Recommended for ages 7 to 107, although younger children are welcome (preferably with adult assistance). When you hit 108 it's time to quit playing with slinkies and get a job.

Length: Usually 90 minutes, but can be adapted to 45-120 minutes. The longer, the better.

Previously taught at:

Meta (Facebook) Denver office (2023), Electric Forest (2023), Catalyst Gallery (2023), Suwannee Hulaween (2023, 2022), ReKinection Festival (2022), June(tember) Jam (2021), PlayThink Movement & Arts Festival (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017), Gem and Jam Festival (2020), Pacific Fire Gathering (2019), Arise Music Festival (2019), Sonic Bloom (2019), Boulder Juggling Festival (2019), Equilibrium Arts Event (2019), Boston Juggling Festival (2018), New England Flow Festival (2018), Burning Man (2018), IgNight Flow Arts Retreat (2018), Denver Decompression (2018), and Colorado Burnal Equinox (2017)

A variation of this workshop specifically for kids has been taught at:

Legacy Point Elementary (Parker, CO, 2023), Prairie Crossing Elementary (Parker, CO, 2023), Sand Creek Elementary (Highlands Ranch, CO - 2023), Redstone Elementary (Highlands Ranch, CO - 2024, 2023), Billy Strings' Renewal Festival (2022), Cougar Run Elementary (Highlands Ranch, CO - 2022), Renaissance Elementary (Castle Rock, CO - 2022), Gold Rush Elementary (Parker, CO - 2022), STEM School (Highlands Ranch, CO - 2022), Lone Tree Elementary (Lone Tree, CO - 2022), Yechida (Oak Park, MI - 2022)

Slinky Josh coaches a new slinky manipulator

Slinky Manipulation 102: Intermediate Slinking

Description:

This workshop is for those who have taken Slinky Manipulation 101 and are ready to take their skills to the next level! Concepts explored will include twists, flips (slinky juggling), using two slinkies at the same time, passing slinkies between partners, and methods of practice to elevate your skills as fast as possible. The content of this class will be adapted to the skill level of the participants, and individualized instruction will be provided for each participant.

Recommended for ages 10+

Length: 45-60 minutes.

Previously taught at: PlayThink Movement & Arts Festival (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018), Pacific Fire Gathering (2019), Equilibrium Arts Event (2019), New England Flow Festival (2018), and IgNight Flow Arts Retreat (2018)