They also have spring loaded balls for children that have the return mechanism in the ball you throw.  Perhaps that would work.  If you can't find ta toy just hide the key reel in the object you are throwing.

Thanks everyone for the help.

I got a retractable key chain, but unfortunately it won't work - it requires a lot of force for the cord to extend out, even though it works fine for the rebound. I did find some elastic, but as Shawn said, it just dangles. I've mentioned both to my customer, but she wants to go with the elastic anyway.

And I'm being asked to return to the wires in the shoes thing. The idea is that objects will be attached to wires that arc out away from the shoes (almost like the performer's feet are kicking the objects up into the air around them...). Anyway I'm at a loss as to how to attach them. The objects are pretty light - carved foam about the size of a pringles can - but I'm concerned that if I drill a hole into the sole of the shoe (thick soles) and glue them, the weight of the object and the rod will cause the glue to work its way free and the rod will simply gravitate downwards after a while. Am I overthinking it? I've never attached rods to shoes before, so I can't think of another way of doing it.

Can you find one of those identification badges that is hooked to a retractable string? That should require much less force to pull it out, but would snap back pretty quickly. I just googled "retractable name badges" and came up with a number of companies that sell them, maybe there is someplace local that you can contact.

The ID badges and the retractable key chains both work using the same mechanism - that is, they have to be pulled to extend out. I tried them both 

Anyway it's moot, because my customer didn't like the suggestion and wants to stick with the elastic. I explained the problems with the elastic - that it wouldn't bounce, but dangle - and she's fine with it.

Na,

Would you by chance have a cobbler in your area? The reason I ask is if you drill the hole through the sole of the shoe then push the wire from above down through the sole and out the bottom then bend it at a 90 degree angle and glue it, you could then have the cobbler "rubber" the bottom of the shoe and that would hold things in place very well.

It is really pretty easy to rubber the bottom of a shoe actually if you don't have a cobbler. The hard part well be finding where you can get the "rubber".  One brand name that is used on the bottom of dance shoes is catspaw.  I tried goggleing but was unable to find a source.  The rubber comes in sheets and you cut it in the shape of the bottom of the shoe.  You then apply contact adhesive (cobblers normally use Barge which is a name brand since it is stronger).  You let it dry for awhile just like you do when you use it on foam.  You then lay the rubber on the bottom of the shoe and use a rubber mallet and pound it to set the rubber in place.  Often you have to rough up the bottom of shoes if they have a "slick" sole.

If you can't find a cobbler in your area but do have a dancewear store (often caters to dance schools) they may have someone that does this process for the dance shoes that could help you out.

I'm not sure what this is called but I've seen it in movies and could possible found in magic shops but it is the retractable scissor glove. Maybe you folks can help me out here I have attached a picture. I know that they are handicap devices that are called extenders that could possible be adapted.

Billy D.
 

Yes, that's what's been suggested to me that I do by the customer (the cobbler thing). At this stage though my concern is cost; I've got a small budget to do this on, and I was thinking of doing it myself instead.

I'm checking out prices tomorrow, but if not I'll take your advice and try it myself. Thanks for the advice Shawn, it's really great!

It just dawned on me!  You need "Snatch It"  from Made in Eureka.  CATION! Site is Flash only and can cause problems on slow computer or connections.   It is only $150.00 and well retrieve anything to your hand from across the room!

... 5 minutes and I'm still at 20% loaded... Guess I'll come back in a while to reply properly...

EDIT: Killed my browser, but very funny! *sigh* If only it were that easy.

Also, Billy thanks for the suggestion.

i think I know what Billy is talking about.Think of the Road Runner cartoons.The Acme store.The boxing glove on something that sort of looked like the old baby
safety fences.Makes sense to me.