Tell me Deke, where did I say to purposely do something that will fall short? Sometimes you have to tell the little darlings "no". No is a perfectly acceptable answer in the real world. Is that too much for you to handle? I'm not from the 'everyone is right in their own way' generation. I come from a land where kids got grades, some were dumber than others, some were lazier, and some better watch who they call a boob. Oh, and not all children are good and bright and have a promising future because they just don't have it in them. The scary part is I'm a great kids show performer and don't have the problem of kids walking away rejected.
Steve V

It's interesting to note how it's the people or children who really start believing that you ACTUALLY did trandform something or make something disappear who usually make such incredible and, to our perception, unreasonable requests.
It's not only kids, but even adults that get completely taken in and start believing in your power. So in their minds you actually possess the power and think it would be cool to see something they thinkup. "Can you turn that lamp post into a flower?" I suppose it has usually happened when I've gone on a bit too long, and might have a lull in the action. Or maybe I'm working out what to do next.
There's also those who just want to show you up as being a charlatan and dislike the attention you are getting, since they are usually the centre of the party. But that is another matter.
Many of the answers given above are pretty much the main options you have: keep the action going so they don't have time to think up their own version, or if you still get requests, say yes or no, depending on what you can get away with.

I found myself doing either depending on the circumstances. It's the same when they try to blackmail you into teling them how you did a trick. You can say "yes, I'll explain" and then you describe exactly what you did. From their perspective. With a lot of enthusiasm. The parents get a great laugh out of that.

Well, Steve-o, who gave you a wedgie today? I didn't intend to call you a boob; I merely said that anyone refusing to acknowledge a child's request risks looking like one. I happen to think our job as kids' entertainers is to satisfy kids' need to be entertained (oh, my, what an outlandish concept!) When a kid asks to see magic from a magician, it really isn't being rude or selfish -- it's showing interest.

If you read Starr's comment -- the one you rudely replied to -- he is saying to AVOID doing magic rather than disappoint them. You seemd to (rudely) imply that not doing magic for them was coddling them, a point I fail to understand. My response was one of "if you can reasonably honor their request, do so. If not, don't offer a watered-down version, for it will not put you in your best light."

Now I'm refusing to acknowledge a childs request? I have the ability to turn the attention to another effect that I may have easy access to and I do satisfy kids desire (need?) to be entertained. The question at hand is a child asks for something that the magician isn't prepared to perform at that moment. The child, because he/she senses the magician is not in control, pushes the issue, how do you react? My answer is you re-direct, you find something else to do, you at the last resort tell them "no, I can't do that right now". You and that other fellow seem to believe this is some crushing blow to the kid. The lack of ability to manage a child is the problem of that magician, I do not have that problem. Yes, to think you always have to comply with the childs demands, and that is what it is in the case presented, is total BS and that is what is making spoiled little brats the norm rather than the exception. You can feel free to do what ever you like but I entertain the lil' fellers and girlers and I know how to talk to them. It takes practice and study. My wife is a child development specialist and a kindergarte teacher, I typed her reports in college (I have no tolerance for those that can't type with speed) and read the books as well as asked her and other teachers about methods of dealing with children face to face. What it comes down to is I am the adult, they are the child, and unless I give them the power it belongs to me and they are not hurt by dealing with a little thing I call reality. Go and coddle, the kids will still like me better.
Steve V

Seems to me you're intolerant of a lot of things. But, if you read some books, I guess there's no more to say. Case closed.

Every now and then, I'm reminded of how weird magicians really are!

It's okay if you don't understand how to deal with children. People don't have to, they can ruin 'em if they want.
Steve V

Once again, we find absolute proof that for every performer there is a unique & individual performance philosophy. Sharing ideas and debating fine points to maybe find some common ground helps us all grow. But, in the end, we each have our own views based on our own experiences and training. Be yourself. Do what works for you. Respect the views of others. Accept those ideas that may benefit you and abandon the rest. Have fun! These are the golden rules of any message board or group. If we all did everything exactly the same way, 90% of us would be out of work!

Peace out, Bros,
Skip

I usually do not get this question because in my shows I am NOT the magician, magicians are the kids. So when they aske me "do it again" or "can you do it" I answer that I cannot do anything by myself, I need a real magician and it's you, don't you remember?
If older kids ask me "how did you do it?" I say "I don't know, he did it...". In practice I move the focus from me and avoid the challenge situation with older kids. What kids remember of me is that they had fun. When parent's ask them what they have seen at the party they answer "I haven't seen... I have been THE magician"; usually the get courious and call me ... and I confirm everything..

If I am really requested to do something I usually say that my magicians battery are now low, and that they need to be recharged for one night at least. Anyway I cannot do any magic without a birthday's kid.

Andrea

I find a lot of times in my own shows and performances, that most of the comments from the adults are done becasue they think they are truely being original or want to have fun with you in a comical way. I have not run into too many that have said comments like, "Can you make my wife vanish" , that meant to do any harm to me or to show me up. In almost every case, the person was just simply thinking what can they say to the magician that would be funny and unique.

They have no idea that we hear these comments every single time out and to us it becomes a bit boring to hear it so often. However, I always try to be cordial to the person and use one of my comedy lines back that does not make the person feel bad, but gets us both laughing and having fun with it.

Kyle