Easy Magic Tricks

Some magic tricks are very easy to learn and perform in social gatherings like parties. Such tricks require only common items such as matchboxes, bowls, coins and the like. Most tricks require some kind of pre-arrangement, but some can be done without any preparation.

One such easy trick is the "Ice Baby" trick. You pour some water into a bowl, say some magic words and turn it upside down and lo and behold, ice cubes fall from the bowl. This trick can be performed by placing a sponge and ice cubes in the bowl beforehand so that the sponge absorbs the water that is poured into the bowl and the ice cubes fall out.

The jumping rubber band trick is a popular trick that needs no previous arrangements. A rubber band is wrapped around your little finger and ring finger. When you stretch the rubber band, insert your little, ring, middle and first finger into it and open your fingers again, the rubber band mysteriously jumps to the first and middle fingers.

Coin vanishing tricks are among the most popular tricks. A variety of coin vanishing tricks are prevalent the world over. A coin is placed on the table and when you pick it up and say the magic words and hey presto, it disappears! What you should keep in mind while performing this trick is that when you cover the coin with your hand and slide it to edge of the table to pick it up, you should push it onto your lap and then pretend that the coin is still in your hand. After that you say the magic words and open your hand, and the coin has disappeared from your hand.

Another interesting coin trick requires a glass, a sheet of colored paper, a handkerchief and a coin. The audience is shown the coin and an upturned glass kept on a sheet of colored sheet of paper. You put a handkerchief over the glass and move it over. When the handkerchief is removed the coin has disappeared. This trick involves a certain amount of pre-planning. A circle the size of the rim and of the same color of the sheet is taped to the glass so that it blends with the colored paper. Thus when the glass is moved over, the circle hides the coin from view and the coin appears to have disappeared.

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Magic Tricks - Children's Entertaining

Children's entertaining is one area of magic available to us all – whether you are a parent performing to your child at a birthday party, or a professional magician hoping to expand your repertoire, children’s entertaining is a rewarding and enjoyable branch of magic.

Kid's magic is very different from close-up magic or sleight of hand - it is nearer to stage magic, with visual illusions to keep your audience attentive.

When planning your children's magic shows, it is essential to bear in mind that children have a relatively small attention span, so you need to keep them on their toes by using visual props (such as magic wands, colourful tricks etc.), funny jokes and a lot of audience participation. The magic illusions should be varied, exciting and most importantly, entertaining for the children.

The tricks you choose for the magic show are very important - you should pick tricks for children that are suitable for their age and sex. A patter about football wouldn't go down too well at an all-girls birthday party!

Before you perform a show, watch a little children’s television and see how the presenters act. They smile, laugh and appear to be enjoying themselves – a very important part of being successful! Try to also remember some of the characters names – you can (temporarily) rename your pet rabbit to a ‘Teletubby’, for example.

To be (almost) as successful as famous magicians, you need to enjoy performing magic, the kids will know you are enjoying it, and your positive feelings will help to make them enjoy your magic show - there's nothing worse than watching magic performed by a bored magician!

Improve your chances of repeat performances by rewarding the children with merchandise. A skilfully crafted balloon model is great, but once it pops, you’re forgotten. If you can afford some promotional material with your contact details to give to the children along with the balloon, then the parents will have a way of calling you for their child’s next party.

To sum up, try to create a fast-paced, varied and exciting magic show to keep the children entertained. Reward participation with merchandise, and word of mouth will be your main source of income.

Edward Jellard has been a professional magician for many years, and finds Children's Entertaining to be the most enjoyable aspect.

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