Hacky Sack Makes a Comeback

A handmade beanbag and two good friends are all it takes to create a game that’s still kickin’ it today.

Hacky Sack — once called “footbag” by its inventors, Mike Marshall and John Stalberger — is a game in which players keep the bag off the ground without using their hands. This simple idea became a national craze in the ’80s, swiftly securing its place as a pastime favorite among school kids and college students.

Turns out, Hacky Sack is still a phenomenon more than 50 years after its creation, bringing its timeless play pattern to a new generation of footbag players.

Founded in friendship, footbag was born in Oregon in 1972, with humble beginnings as beanbags filled with rice and glass buttons. Marshall and Stalberger later refined their design and filed a patent in 1974, creating the sand- and pellet-filled Hacky Sacks we know and love today. And, even after Marshall’s unfortunate passing at the young age of 28, Stalberger moved forward to found the National Hacky Sack Co., bringing their game to schools across the state.

Hacky Sack’s popularity skyrocketed from statewide to nationwide when Stalberger sold the rights to Wham-O in 1983. The company behind the Hula Hoop, Frisbee, Slip ’N Slide, and SuperBall welcomed a new brand to its family of classic active toys.

Wham-O continues to back the sack in modern times through its licensing agreement with PlayMonster. Since inking the deal last year, the two have been working together to usher in a new era of Hacky Sack.

“Through its rich heritage, strong name recognition across generations, and simple yet highly engaging play pattern, we immediately recognized that Hacky Sack was uniquely positioned for today’s social-first world,” says PlayMonster CEO Jonathan Berkowitz. “When we relaunched this spring, we were intentional about meeting today’s teens and young adults exactly where they are through social content, community experiences, and the classic active play Hacky Sack delivers.”

Hacky Sack is not only a worldwide sensation — it’s a digital phenomenon on social media.

Across posts, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, Generation Z and Generation Alpha are getting a kick out of Hacky Sack. From backyards and playgrounds to school gyms and classrooms, kids are showing off their footbag collections, circles, and skills online, primarily via TikTok. Between playing the classic game and creating their own tricks and challenges, the new generation is making Hacky Sack a viral sensation.

Contributing to Hacky Sack’s resurgence is HackysackTrav, a 28-year-old content creator who’s dedicated 10 years of his life to “freestyle footbag.” On his TikTok account, which has 1.6 million likes at the time of publication, HackysackTrav showcases tricks and skills to more than 54,200 followers. But at its heart, the account features advice, tutorials, and trick breakdowns across hundreds of videos, sharing Hacky Sack’s capabilities to both pro and aspiring footbag players.

“About three years ago, I started making content geared towards the masses, and not just posting tricks for the niche freestyle community,” HackysackTrav shares. “My main goal will always be to spread the sport I love to the world. Through creators like myself and Jordan from FootClan USA, we are stoking Hacky Sack’s virality by reaching out and encouraging everyone to get a good bag and see the potential of the sport.”

As social media continues to fuel the flames of Hacky Sack’s core about movement and connection, it’s clear the sport is encouraging off-screen enjoyment despite its on-screen popularity.

With a new wave of players stepping into the Hacky Sack world, PlayMonster launched a product line that blends retro and modern touches to the classic footbag.

“While the core play experience remains timeless, we’re evolving Hacky Sack into a modern sport performance brand through product innovation, social play opportunities, partnerships, and community-driven experiences,” Berkowitz explains.

The PlayMonster Hacky Sack line debuted with three products, all available at mass retailers. Hacky Sack Core and Hacky Sack Retro feature the vintage footbag, with a size, shape, and design that is perfect for starting a circle with friends or leveling up one’s solo skills. Like Gen Alpha, PlayMonster adds new twists to footbag with Hacky Sack Cornhole, blending two timeless play patterns into one gaming experience.

Alongside innovations, the company is fueling fan engagement beyond the markets and toy aisles. PlayMonster joins the growing virality by supporting the online community, including NJ Sacks’ Sack Madness Tournament. As its official sponsor, the company has “provided each player with official Hacky Sacks for their match as they compete for the $4,000 grand prize.” Through its social-first approach, PlayMonster stays connected to fans while ensuring the sport remains relevant and exciting.

“For Gen Alpha, there’s a growing desire for activities that encourage movement, screen-free social connection, and friendly competition,” Berkowitz shares. “We knew from the start that Hacky Sack was made for today’s consumer — it’s accessible, visual, affordable, shareable, and easy to start playing almost anywhere. While trends and technologies continue to evolve, active play and in-person connections are timeless. This is why the fundamentals of Hacky Sack have resonated with generation after generation.”

A version of this feature first appeared in The Toy Book‘s 2026 Action, Adventure, & Mystery Issue. Read the full issue here!

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