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Slide Special user 533 Posts |
I just re-invigorated my interest in magic which is decidedly card magic aimed at adults and my beautiful girlfriend, not knowing this, said to her friends 3 1/2 year old son that "Bill does magic" and the mother was "oh that is great." to her son "he is going to do some magic for you." I begged off but now I'm on the hook for a couple of tricks that would entertain someone that young. I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but I haven't been able to find a thread. If anyone can point me to a good thread or some suggestions of some easy to do tricks for kids, that would be great. I have no interest in taking this any further, but just want something I can do for this kid next time I see him.
Thought? |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Since you already are into cards...
How about two three's (perhaps hearts and diamonds) changing places with 2 fours..(perhaps spades and diamonds) That gets into the lad's being 4 on his next birthday. If you know a bit of coins...combine cards with coins with something like a basic matrix.... Remember 3 year olds have a different point of view of card effects...(learned the old fashioned difficult way years ago by this writer) He "looks up" at you in many ways.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Daniel Ulzen Elite user Berlin/Germany 490 Posts |
Coloring Book - break-away-wand - sponge balls - cooking routine ...
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mpacyga New user 27 Posts |
I would do a Change Bag routine but keep it simple. Candy or something fun from a dove pan is good. I do Carl Lewis' Table Hopping Cups and Balls but I Slowwwwwwww it down. Remember, kids have simple minds at that age. So anything that changes color or a coin that goes from little to big will be a hit.
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
My favorite trick for these little guys is the sponge bunnies. Their faces just light up! Also good is a small silk with a TT. This is a hard age to entertain.
Jim |
deadcatbounce Special user the Wilds of Ireland 863 Posts |
Jim is right. Keep it real simple.. tt/silk, sponge anything, breakaway anything, pea-can (with M&M's) and of course... coin from ear/hair, your sock, etc..
Regards, DCB
"With every mistake - we must surely be learning..." George Harrison.
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jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
Hate to recommend purchases, but...
PB&J works great "Rabbit In Hat" puppet routine and prop from Dave Risley Blooming Bouquet Anything that really hits hard on "look don't see" where you appear clueless is just awesome for that age group.
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
mike storz Inner circle Orange, CT 1353 Posts |
Other than cards, what kind of magic supplies do you have on hand?
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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Honestly, Bill, for someone that young, you hardly need to do anything. I would not advise purchasing any props mentioned above (no offense to anyone, I know you're all good at what you do). You're talking about showing a 4 yr old a couple magic tricks, one on one, right? I would simply pull a quarter from his ear. If he likes it, shuttle pass and do it again. You can do this over and over. Be silly about it. At the finish, you can give him the quarter. You can also keep a few pieces of candy on hand and pull those from under his elbow or knee, every time you see him. I do this all the time with little kids. You could purchase a matchbox car, hide it behind him, pull out a quarter, vanish it, and ask for his help to look for it. When he finds the car, make like the quarter has transformed into a present for him. My Grandfather did this to me all the time when I was 4. It was absolutely magical and was all I ever needed.
If you are going to make a purchase, buy a squeaker. Check for magic buttons on his shirt or whatever, he will be endlessly delighted. |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Since you say this is probably a onetime thing.
Sounds to me like all you need is a few pocket tricks from one of the beginner books. The jumping rubber band, pulling the thumb off, broken tooth pick, coin vanish, etc. Nothing else, go to a bookstore and flip through a couple of the better magic books you find there to jog the memory. Some good stuff in some of the beginner books. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
Damian is absolutely right. There is absolutely nothing you can do that will beat coin from the ear, elbow, tummy etc. Just be careful not to scare them. What I do is find the coin in Mom or Dad's ear and maybe my elbow and then ask if it is ok to check their ear. It is so cute the way the will reach up and keep checking themselves.
The other thing that works for me is "Give me five!". After they slap your hand you say "oh no, my finger came off!". "Get back on there finger!" (as you remove and replace your finger). They wil laugh and laugh and want you to do it over and over. Again be careful not scare them. I'm not sure exactly why but kids are NEVER scared when I do this. They laugh and laugh. |
Slide Special user 533 Posts |
Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I appreciate it.
Bill |
Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Great idea with the "gimmie 5," Mike. I'm gonna try that!
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I love using noises. Squeakers are great for that (and even older) age.
Since 2005, (the year I was on a panel for the big S.A.M. convention in Boston) I have used mouth/mosquito whistles. Same effect but your hands are free. If you put two of them in reverse position you can get a martian type voices. Of course users are reminded of the swallowing risk.... Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Harris,
By mouth or mosquito whistle, do you mean the old bird warbler? The half-moon shaped piece of plastic and fabric? Or something else? |
Bohacek New user Haymarket VA 6 Posts |
I am entertaining for a Kindergarten class of 21. We will do a few very few magic ricks and then go into balloon twisting, with the kids guessing what I am making. The balloons will then go into a bag to be given out later when the party is over. For the magic I am planning on a silk blendo routine, a flag making routine that involves getting the right color of silks into the change bag, and then disappearing a few silks from my finger tips. I think I will do the silk disappearance twice, once from each hand. Any one else have any idea of what will play bit to the class. Magic at age 5 or 6 is very difficult, because at that age, almost everything is magic. Coins or cards do not play well. Thanks
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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Bohacek,
As far as performing for kids goes, 5-6 yr-olds can be terrific. If you're really going to go to a school, and attempt magic for 21 children, without having first read any books or consulted any of the myriad DVDs on the subject... good luck. All of the effects mentioned above (with the exception of the cards and coins) are winners. Your suggestions (blendo, mismade flag and silk vanishes) are all great. If it was me, I would want some variation (not all vanishing/transforming silk tricks), but it probably doesn't matter to them, much. But honestly, if I were you (and I was), I would buy the book Seriously Silly, by David Kaye, before jumping in, cold. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Harris, are mosquito whistles like the swazzles Punch and Judy workers (used to) use?
-Mary Mowder |
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