Hi

I'm trying to add some tricks that uses kids for volunteers. I already have many that use one kid. But I want to add some that use more than one kid (2-5). I want a trick that uses the kids, not just having them standing there holding something. Anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks in advanced.

Cards Across - two kids.

What age range? Once you go beyond standing and holding something, you are often getting into too complicated instructions that slow the show down. Kids love to come up to "help". There are many effects that involve the use of many "assistants", but for the most part they involve having the kid hold something and place it inside a box or bag. Perhaps for older kids there are other suggestions, but I would be really concerned about slowing the show down too much.

Axtel Drawing Board. Kids LOVE to shout out what the magician forgot to draw, then get invited up to draw what they've shouted. One can easily get 5 or 6 kids involved. I absolutely LOVE this effect, just for that reason.

Thanks for the fast replies.

Tony- I youtubed the trick. (Watched Mel Mellers) seems like a rather funny trick if done right. Thanks

Charliecheckers- I'm thinking from around 7 and up. To clarify by holding something, I mean a kid just standing there holding the deck case, like a living table. Should have clarified this more. What are some tricks that you were thinking of?

MichaelCGM- That is definitely one of the coolest tricks I've ever seen. Unfortunately, at this time it is too expensive for me. I will definitely write it down for the future. Thanks

Miser's Dream
Coloring Book (under 7)
Mismade Flag

Try the "Nest of Eggs." Have five kids pick eggs out of the clear, net bag. Have one of the kids make a silk handkerchief vanish from your hand by waving the magic wand and saying the magic words. All the kids open their eggs to find little treats inside, while the child that did the magic finds the silk handkerchief inside his/her egg. Take the silk back and give the magical volunteer a special prize.

http://www.clownantics.com/general-magic......1-p.html

You can buy extra plastic eggs just about anywhere, in case you want to use 6 kids. And, the price is a tiny bit less than the Axtel Drawing Board.

Check out Princess In A Pickle. I love this Silly Billy routine since it actively involves 4 kids, and the whole crowd is engaged in the story line. And it packs small but plays big. It may be beyond your budget at the moment at $250, but certainly worth consideration in the future. Here's the demo:

http://sillymagic.com/princess_pickle.htm

On a smaller budget, all you need is an egg bag. I tell the kids that I have this strange magical bag that lived on a farm and actually thinks it's a chicken! I explain that whenever it thinks it's around other chickens, believe it or not, it proceeds to lay an egg! Ask the kids if they want to see the bag lay an egg. Of course they do! Show them that the bag is empty. Invite 3-4 kids up and have them all start sounding like chickens. Have a kid reach into the bag only to find no egg. Say wait, you can't just sound like a chicken. You have to also look like one if you want to fool the bag. Now get them clucking while acting like chickens, flapping their wings and wobbling around the stage near the bag. You could even dress up the birthday child like a chicken if you really want to ham ... uh, I mean chicken it up. Now have a child reach into the bag, and low and behold, the bag has now laid an egg! If you use music during your show, this is a perfect time to get all the kids standing and transition into a chicken dance with music. If you use a change bag instead of an egg bag, you can have the bag first lay an egg, then put the egg back in the bag and produce a rubber chicken moments later. Hey, it's your trick, so do whatever the cluck you like!

- Gary

A good sucker trick uses all the kids at the same time.

Step back a few years and look at some of the David Ginn routines. Charlie's Invisible Message uses 5 kids and is highly adaptable to a variety of themes. Radio Mystery Play use 5 kids in an impromptu mini-play. His Blooming Bouquet routine uses 4 kids. These routines fill a stage and are not too prop heavy. PM me if further explanation would help.

I don't think their has to been specific volunteer tricks, meaning you can use volunteers for literally anything. I mean, if you have multiplying wands, call 5 kids up there if you want. On a side note, anyone using Rocky-I love doing this. Have him drink from a couple of water and splash the audience when he dries himself off. I do a couple times, nothingto do with topic, but II'm writing this from my phone waiting for kids to come in at preschool and thought about it

I echo that and would add David Ginn's comedy linking rings routine for kids. I've used it many times to good effect.

Larry, everything you do is to good effect, bro

Larry, everything you do is to good effect, bro

Wacky Washer for girls

Magic wand maker for boys and girls

Kandu Comedy Carton by Jef Eaton...I use it in EVERY show...always gets great laughs.

I also use the coloring book (you can easily call up more than one volunteer for this, depending upon your routining).

David Ginn has some great routines which are really worth looking into.

I use 7 or so volunteers in my Dream Bag routine and up to 15 in my word banner routine. I think you can usually find a few effects each show to include volunteers.