Bobbis.net

So, I was playing with my yo-yo, and for some reason I got curious about how a yo-yo would operate in space or in zero gravity. After a little Goggle-ing around I found a document from the University of Texas which explains how a yo-yo operates in space:

In space a yo-yo performs well at any speed. It will gracefully move down the string without tangling and bounce backward along the string when it reaches the loop at the end. The yo-yo will not sleep in space because there is no force to keep the yo-yo from moving back up the string. If the astronaut releases the yo-yo when it is coming back along the string, the yo-yo will continue to wind up its string as it moves past the astronaut. If the string is released on the way out, the yo-yo will wind up its string while moving forward. Yo-yo tricks involving sleeping the yo-yo (like "walking-the-dog" and "rocking the baby") cannot be performed in space. "Around the world" requires a sleeping yo-yo and too much room for an effective demonstration in the cabin. Dynamic yo-yo tricks work beautifully in space. Astronaut Dave Griggs can send the yo-yo out, bring it back, and send it upward with little effort. On earth, this trick is called "shooting the moon".

Interesting. The document also covers the way some other toys operate in space such as tops, slinkies, paddleball, etc.