Hey everyone
I was just wondering if you could give me some feed back on this routine:
after instructing the kids to cheer when I come out I come out they cheer I say that was weak and that they should try it again, I do that two more times the last time pulling out silks from my ears.

Cups and Balls
I have some brightly colored balls for this one, I use Carl Andrews 2 cup routine ending with the sponges balls

Sponge balls- I have a routine with 2 balls multiplying into many.

Sponge rabbits- after this routine I toss them into my change bag and produce scissors and rope

Cut and restored- a simple one. After this I just put them away and pull out a deck of cards

ACR- I have a simple ACR were I also use color changesa and a card to pocket to finish it. After I'm done I make it disipear and pull out the silks from earlier.

Silks- I use the strength test from Bill Malones on the Loose video.

This routine is for kids over the age of 11. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

Paul

Thanks this helps, I posted questions about whats a good routine and you answered that here, thanks!

Hi Paul,

I steer well clear of that age range myself, but you've got the right approach by doing more of an adult routine, at 11+ they like to consider themselves too grown up to be treated as kids.
I will comment on one thing though, you do Sponge Balls followed by Sponge Rabbits. Which is effectivly the same trick with a different theme, I feel you may need to consider changing one of those for something else. You've got sponge balls, cards, rope and Silks why not look for something with coins. Misers dream perhaps.

How long is the actual show?

Thanks, I didn't even think of those being the exact same. Im hopping to time it tonight.

Paul

Sponge balls and sponge rabbits I also feel are really similar and essentially the same effect to an audience. I also would think about pacing it out differently or doing the suggestion that Clive mentioned as a copin routine or miser's dream. Miser's dream always goes over very well and it a good interaction type of effect. Just my 2cents worth.

I have found that the more complex Cups and Balls (with wand spins etc.) are better for older groups. When I do shows for small kids (6 to 8) it is all about the final load. This is why I moved to large cups and finish with limes, onions and plums. I also add a 4th potato load.

I have found that sponge balls changing color or size or quantity starts them nodding off. Bur frouit really surprises them.

I think cups and balls is a great effect for older kids, but I am not so sure I would perform them at all for younger kids age 6 or so. I guess any routine can be made a fun routine for kids with the right patter and presentation. I have just seen too many magician try to perform adult variations of close-up magic for children and it just does not go over well.

I never thought about using cups and balls in a stand up rountine.

In defense of Cups and Balls for 6 to 10 year old children.

The cups and Balls I do for young children is NOTHING LIKE the routine done for older kids. It is very slow, the children count one, two, three slowly with me. I often let them come up to the table to lift the final load cups. Fruite coming from nowhere always brings smiles, if it did not I would not have been doing it for so many years.

I frequently sit down with teachers at lunch and ask them what they think the kids in their class responded well to, they always say the Bunny Box, Cups and Balls, and square Circle. (with something from a child’s home appearing from the circle.)
Bob

Once again thank you. Ive decided to go with the sponge bunnies instead of the balls, and added a quick coin trick. One other quesiton, what would be the youngest age that you would perform this routine for?

Paul