Greetings all
I've been doing magic for adults for about 20 yrs, some stuff for my kids. I've been asked to perform birthday parties at the local toy store for 8-9 yr olds. But I'm not sure what would be fun.

I enjoy close-up cards, coins and sponge balls. I wonder if anyone has any ideas for me.

Thanks

rick

Cards don't work too well with kids that age, some coins might work, spongeballs will play well. You need very visual tricks. Attention spans are short at that age. Box magic works well with that age. They like animals so if you can produce a bunny , or birds, or some other small animal that generally plays well. Paper balls over the head, 20th Century Silks, egg bags, squared circle, linking rings, run rabbit run, hippity-hop rabbits, stratosphere, passe passe, dove pans that produce candy, or small animals, magicians clothes line, all play well with that group.

I Think Cards work well for 8-9 year olds. If they were younger then I would agree not to use cards. I would keep the card tricks simple. The rest of photius list also would work well for that age group. Also don't forget the magic coloring book, appearing or disappearing wand, vanishing silk, Rope Magic, change bag, Mismade flag just to name a few.

I do Professors Nightmare. I'm in the process of getting the magic coloring book & the DeLite (Morph). I also like the wand the breaks when handed out. I don't do any animal stuff or egg baggs. My budget is very small to say the least, so I have to make do with what I have. Thank you both for your ideas. They were of great help. Oh, I have hippity-Hop rabbits, but forget the routine, that's a shame.

Cheers,

Rick

Check out anything from David Ginn. ginnmagic.com David is a major kids worker.

It would help to know what you do have.

If you have the Tarbell volumes you might want go over those for ideas.
I always liked 'T.V. Surprise'.

This topic might also help.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......7&57

Here's what I have/do in a nut shell-----David Roth coins' across in and out of the box. Copper/silver in a spectators hand. Amb. card Routine, Card under the glass. various sponge ball routines. Professors Nightmare. Triple Coin Change. Sawas Bank Nignt (wild coin routine) and a nice Spellbound routine.

Thanks for the link. it was very helpful.

After each show. I ask the kids which thing they like best in my show. 99.9% of the kids always say it's the Rabbit. Kids loves Rabbit.

With kids, its not the trick, its the journey. The routine has to be fun for the kids.

Thanks all, Maybe I should stick to adults. I don't do rabbits or egg bags or any of that stuff. Thanks to all for responding.

Blessings,

Rick

Rick,

I would not have posted my thoughts on this thread had it not been for your "Maybe I should stick with adults" comment.

This appears to be a promising venue...for a children's entertainer. If you are not comfortable working for children and have no experience you could not only damage your reputation as a performer, but make it difficult for magicians in your area who do specialize in children's magic.

A childs first encounter with a magician is generally at a birthday party, and a bad performance can leave them with a negative opinion of magic and magicians for life.

Not that you would give a bad performance, but this is a specialized field and presents challenges that many very successful adult magicians cannot deal with properly. Some excellent magicians try doing kidshows (steady work) and give it up because they simply don't know how to entertain kids.

Best of luck to you whichever way you decide to go. If you do this, remember that kids are more interested in having fun than the magic.

Andy

Andre Hagen, you are 100% right.

Not a good sign to have to ask what would be good for kids. Most stuff would work well. Not just egg bag etc. I've never used an egg bag except to carry my groceries home.

John