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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Hi again folks
On this one I just want to focus upon the tricky area of the pre-schooler (3-5 yr olds). I've combined a number of queries relating to this particular age group below - any input is welcome 1) Are balloons suitable for this age group, whether using them in the act or in terms of balloon twisting? I can see that some may be worried about balloons bursting or being put in the mouth with this age group. Do you use balloons with the little ones? 2) Do the younger kids react well to 'incompetent magician' style bits of business, like The Letter, or do they tend to remain quiet or not really follow the joke? 3) Do the young 'uns react well to 'look don't see' style presentations, either with puppets or tricks, or do they tend to remain quiet or not really 'get' it? 4) What length do most people try to aim for in terms of a 'show' for this age group (so not including games or warm-ups etc)? 30 mins? 45mins? Or more! 5) Do pre-schoolers tend to react well to physical comedy and clown/mime style silliness? 6) Do pre-schoolers enjoy juggling, or is not impressive or entertaining for them? Thanks |
Hawkan Elite user Sweden 495 Posts |
In my humble experience:
1. I do use a balloon for a short bit 2. They react 3. They react, they get it 4. Me - 45 mins 5. Yes 6. Maybe not the juggling itself HÃ¥kan |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
1. They love balloons.
2. They love this style of comedy. 3. I have never tried this for any age group, so no comment. 4. I tend to do 50 minutes, then a ten minute game. 5. They love this. 6. I am not a juggler, so can't say.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
I use balloons in the act and hand them out at the END. This reduces popping.
They love juggling. I do a 45 min act with a5minute juggling thing and a simple puppet routine |
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Thanks for the clear and direct responses so far I love this part of the café!
So no one sees a problem with giving out balloons to pre-schoolers? Cool. It looks like all the stuff I quite like doing myself would work well even with the youngest age group I'm considering performing for. That's good. Would any dissent from the views forwarded so far? |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
One thing. If you give out balloons to some of the kids you have to give out balloons for all of the kids. I worked with a guy once who did twenty minutes of balloons at the end of his very bad show, and when his twenty minutes were up he stopped and walked away and to hell with the crying kids. Don't be that jerk!
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
1. Yes, balloons are great, if the client wants it. But make the process of making balloons FUNNY and ENTERTAINING as much as possible, don't be a balloon vending machine.
2. They love the incompetent magician stuff, though on occasion they may not get what you are doing wrong at first, so you may have to amp up your reactions and facial expressions, or refocus their attention, etc but in a playful way. 3. See #2. 4. I've done almost an hour for preschoolers, but usually 45 minutes, sometime 20-30 minutes. It depends on what else is going on, distractions, etc. At preschools they are usually ready for a longer show if you and the preschool wants it. 5. they love physical comedy, more the merrier. 6. I don't really juggle, but if you play it up right, mainly for comedy and/or storytelling, I'm sure it could work very , 7. study comic greats outside the magic field for timing, physical humor, etc, Laurel & Hardy, Steve Martin, etc 7. Just be a super fun guy, very silly, very interactive, and don't type on a crappy computer like me because it makes you do stuff like list #7 twice.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
1. Balloons are suitable, but I choose not to do them.
2. Younger kids LOVE "magician in trouble" situations. 3. "Look, Don't See" tricks are great but don't do too many of them. 4. For me, 30 - 35 minutes is perfect. 5. YES to physical comedy and slapstick humor. 6. They probably do, but I've never done it. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I used to do some scarf juggling for little Kids before I could juggle bean bags. (It is more of a workout than regular Juggling.) The colorful scarves are easier for them to follow because they fall more slowly. Finding the light scarves can be hard so if anyone has a source, please give a link.
Super simple and dumb humor I.E. "This is Tiffany, this is Spiffany and this is Oops, you'll never guess why I call this one Oops," (drop handkerchief). No kidding that got a big laugh. Miss calling colors will get a laugh. Oops is the one that gets into trouble so make sure you know which color is Oops. You can put Oops on your shoulder for a "rest" during the juggling while the others are working. Keep juggling and don't notice Oops is taking a breather. Scolding Oops will get a laugh (don't forget to waggle your finger). Choose a big trick that you are working up to like doing a spin and catching at the end. Do a big Bow or say TA DAH! to let them know it worked at the end. Letting Oops take extra bows will get a laugh. The Kids will laugh at failed attempts. Make sure some actual juggling happens at some point. Don't go on too long. This ain't high art but I know they loved it. -Mary Mowder |
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
That's just the kind of comedy juggling stuff I had in mind - and what great material, Mary! . I love the idea of scarf juggling. Would you mind if I stole some of your ideas?
Also, on the issue of scarf juggling, for those that offer circus skills workshops after the show (I'm thinking older kids now, really), do you offer scarf juggling? |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I don't mind if you take any of those ideas. Some (like scolding) are things I saw others do.
I don't offer classes in my Show, although my juggling bit does include a step by step for learning to juggle with some comedy included. I have not included Scarf Juggling in my show for decades (largely because of pride). -Mary Mowder |
Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Cheers Mary
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