Screaming Yo-yo

• Type: Magical Toy, Joke Object
• Owners: Fred and George Weasley (as sellers)
• Maker: Fred and George Weasley

A Screaming Yo-yo is a magical toy based on the common Muggle toy of the same name. While its specific physical appearance, such as its color or material, is not described in the novels, its primary distinguishing feature is the sound it produces when operated.

The sole known magical property of the Screaming Yo-yo is its ability to emit an extremely loud shriek when used. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, its sound is described as shrieking “like a demented thing.” Its intended use is as a toy and prank item, designed for amusement and to create a noisy disturbance. The sound is powerful enough to be heard clearly across the crowded and chaotic environment of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

The Screaming Yo-yo is an invention of Fred and George Weasley for their popular joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. It was one of the many products available for purchase when the shop officially opened at number ninety-three, Diagon Alley during the summer of 1996. The yo-yos were created sometime after the twins left Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the spring of 1996 and before their shop's grand opening.

The Screaming Yo-yo makes its only appearance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. When Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger visit Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes for the first time, they observe the shop's wide range of merchandise. The yo-yo is highlighted when Harry sees a young, eleven-year-old boy being told off by his mother for wanting one. This brief scene serves to illustrate the boisterous and slightly mischievous nature of the Weasley twins' products, the immense popularity of their shop among young wizards, and the mild exasperation of parents, thereby contributing to the lively and successful atmosphere of the establishment.

• The Screaming Yo-yo is a prime example of a common Muggle object being enchanted for use in the wizarding world, a recurring theme in the series.
• While the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes shop is featured in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Screaming Yo-yo is not specifically shown or mentioned (film).