I had my first kids show in a few years yesterday, and… holy moly. What a cluster.

There were about 9 kids total, and because of a food situation, they had somehow managed to eat candy AND ice cream right before my performance. So I basically walked into a room full of tiny, sugar-powered tornadoes.

Thankfully, the actual show went relatively well! But I definitely learned that I need to get MUCH better at crowd control, especially when I’m trying to do it without 1.Breaking character 2. Becoming the “party pooper magician” 3. Having parents constantly step in and manage the kids for me

During Hippity Hoppity Rabbits, one kid literally ran up to me, reached into the boxes AFTER I had removed everything, and started shouting about how the trick was done.

Then during Run Wolf Run, things went completely off the rails. I had kids swarming the performance area, running up to the doors and trying to open them while I’m standing there trying to perform.

My warm-up actually included rules about staying in their seats and not coming into the performance area, but once the excitement kicked in, apparently those rules went straight out the window.

So for the more experienced kids entertainers/magicians: how do you handle crowd control when the kids get REALLY excited?

I’m looking for ways to establish stronger boundaries without constantly stopping the show, breaking character, or coming across as the fun police. ????

Especially interested in techniques for preventing kids from rushing the performance area and interacting with props before they’re supposed to.

I'll share a few thoughts with you.

No matter how strong your act is, kids will be kids, as they say, and sometimes they just get wild. When that happens, the 'performer' needs to step back for a second so they can see the 'teacher' standing in front of them.

Remember: kids try to push boundaries with their regular teachers every day, so they will definitely try it with a guest performer. That’s why setting expectations early is so important. Right from the start, while you’re establishing the rules of the show, you have to subtly but clearly let them know who’s in charge. “When you see me do this, finger to mouth making the shh sound, that means stop everything and get still, do you understand?” It’s OK to ask them the question and sort of get them to commit to following the rules. Having some signal not only signals the kids it can also signal the parents.

You don't have to be mean or break the magic, but you do need to command the room. You can't always rely on the adults to step in, some parents are slow to take back control when they feel someone else is supposed to be handling the room for them. Once the kids realize there are clear boundaries, they actually settle in better, and everyone, including you, has a much better time. So you may need to break character for a moment during the rules to allow the kids to see the ‘teacher’ hiding inside you.

Good luck with it,

Tom

I notice you have two sorts of rev 'em up sucker type tricks (if Run Wolf Run is like Run Rabbit Run).

You are asking them to respond like this before you can handle the results. I don't know what else you performed but, your material has an effect on the audience.

I'll admit I don't like sucker gags much. If I do one, that's plenty.
Beyond my first welcome and introduction remarks, I start with a test to see if they are paying close attention. I show them a quick visual trick saying that if they don't pay attention, they could miss the Magic. (Some of them WILL miss it) Then, I do a simple clap test. When my hands are across from each other, clap. This will show if they are paying attention. I trick them with speed or going slow, fake them out, and end by making them all clap for me by rapid hand movement. I cop to getting applause any way I can, but explain that when they see a real person in front of them, if they like what they see, they should let me know by clapping, and if they don't like what they see, clap anyway, it will encourage me to do better. That gets a small laugh. I immediately start the next trick. (this is the gist of it)

It is simple and gets their attention as a crowd. It lets them know how to respond. Not all kids have seen a live performer. It involves them without a lecture. It shows you as a leader.

They want you to be successful. If you are not confident, they can be afraid you will embarrass them.

Have a riddle or a short joke to cover transitions. The silent moments where nothing is going on cause trouble.

I'm sure others have more advice.

Best of luck, and don't quit now! Almost everyone's first few shows are rocky (mine were). I was afraid and they could smell it LOL.

- Mary

Sugar doesn't cause kids to get hyper BTW. How old were the kids? How long was the show? How many look don't see type tricks do you do? There arent any methods to control kids that work every time no matter what, but there are things you can do to reduce the problems. There are a lot of posts on this forum on the subject if you do some searching. There are also books and some advice on videos.

Sugar may not rev up all kids, but parties do. If nothing else, they're sticky. Watch which hands touch your Equipment.

Dan is right, the ages and time matter. I usually do a 30 minute stand-up for parties. If they want more time (and they are mostly over 5 and fewer than 15 kids.) I offer Close-Up Magic to break it up. The party environment lowers their attention span. They are also at the party to see each other and play but some hosts want to get as much "Baby sitting" time as they can. It's up to you whether to offer what the host wants or do what serves the party best. (Maybe some can do both.)

If older kids feel you are doing baby magic or talking down to them, they will react badly. They will be fine if they know you are doing a trick for the little kids. Just make sure you have something for them as well. A little Mental Magic is interesting to older kids. Make sure it is clear and easy to understand (always a good idea).

I find strong visual Magic works for everyone. I rely a lot on silk, rope, penetrations, jugglery and some comedy (not blue!) for adults in the room.

When you performed before, what kind of shows were you into?

- Mary

The show was about 40 minutes long. The ages definitely varied 3-9. All of my working experience is strictly walk around.

Walk around is safe, you can run from that. When they are sitting down and your wall is to the back, it’ s like a cage fight and may the best man win. LOL


Dan is right the sugar really has no effect on the child, but the parents having heard the word ‘sugar high’ for so long, it does influence how they interpret what they see. It’s also a good way for a parent to justify their childs action., “oh its just all that sugar.

I’m with Mary on the Sucker Gags, that can be an invitation for everyone to get wild. And especially when the performers character is silly or goofy all the time. This is why I say it’s so important for the kids to understand upfront that’s a real ‘Adult’ a Teacher Like Person behind the mask. If they believe he is there just to hoot, hollow, jump up and down the whole time, they are going to join in, and it’s going to be a looong night.

shg_123, as bad as it may look I wouldn't give up on performing for the kids. You will learn from every show, and asking questions on here will help.

Tom

A lot of magi overdo the look don't see stuff. There are a bunch of reasons not to do that, but one reason is that it may get the kids too hyped up into a frenzy. You could mix in some calmer (but not boring) stuff as needed. Take charge right from the start. You might need to give them incentives to stay seated such as those are the ones you pick for volunteers. Keep the show moving, keep it really funny (don't confuse funny and kids screaming) and fun, include lots of audience participation, and have age appropriate stuff. Set up the performing environment to reduce distractions, try to keep the adults quiet and entertained. Start with a 30 minute show at least until you get the hang of it - I do 45 minutes usually.

Shg_123, What else was in your set list? Do you have Silly Bill's or John Breeds books on kids magic? Shoot me an email at marklabarmagic@gmail.com and I'll share a video of one of my shows, I'm not sure it will help but it can't hurt.

I also like Tom's advice, keep at it and adults seem like easy money

Actually, if you've done Strolling Magic, you are brave enough for this. Facing people one-on-one is more nerve-wracking to most performers than facing a group. Do make eye contact with everyone often. It is easier to keep control if they feel seen by you. They want to make contact.
When you practice, imagine a supportive and friendly crowd so you will treat them that way in person.

My advice for kids 9 and older is, treat them like adults but, keep it simple and visual. Let them touch props when possible. I have acetate silks that can take touching, but I don't let anyone touch my real silk. I do allow a spectator to hold a plastic wine goblet with hand on top with real silk in it.

Kids often ask if they can have or keep something. I just say NNNooo! in a high pitched silly voice and move on. It works like a charm.

For young kids, a puppet is good (cop to it being a puppet or you'll never hear the end of it), coloring book (I don't like it but, they do). One change bag trick like a silk blendo. Make a draw-string tote type, large enough for you whole hand to go in and turn it inside out. They don't know what a marble bag is but they will have seen a string tote. Handle it matter-of-factly. The bag is not Magic, you are!

Let us know how it goes WHEN you try it again. Your next show will not be perfect either, but you will be better.

- Mary

I love the NNNoooo! LOL, I'm going to use that I agree, my mentor taught me to say "no, I'm not a ventrikerist, I'm a puppeteer"

I like the NNNooo too. It’s amazing how a shift in tone or volume changes the room, especially with a group of kids.

Shouting usually creates more noise, but lowering your voice creates instant suspense.

When you drop to a whisper, kids stop making noise simply because they don't want to miss a secret.

Tom

Good point Tom. It helps if you mime that you're talking quietly as well. I. E back of right hand at left side of mouth. You will hear the kids quieting each other.

thehackleguy. Extreme Burn is a good version of Easy Money. It is worth the cut-and-paste project. Avoid the lead foil hack for quicker change. The extra weight is not worth the long-term toxicity.

I have used $ sized coupons for the first showing (Costco coupons used to be perfect) and Pre-Folded one of the final $bills into an Elephant and unfolded to make it quick to refold. A $ elephant makes a nice remembrance, so they won't forget you. You can talk about origami to cover the refolding time.
It makes it easy to ditch the gaffed stack of bills because you are moving on to something else. One time I did this in a home where the hostess had a line of carved wooden elephants descending in size, on the mantle behind me. My elephant was perfect for the next size down. (Once in a life time!)

- Mary

I've studied metabolic health for years. I also know my own experience with various poisons in foods. I have to disagree.

I think the point Dan was making is that we shouldn't use sugar as an excuse as to why children misbehave. I believe it may be a contributing factor, but there are many reasons why children will be out of control. Sometimes its just a bad situation, venue, time of day, influencing adults, etc. etc.

I can't tell you the number of times I've done the same exact show on the same day in two different locations and get a completely different response from the audience. One is totally out of control and could care less about my 40 years of experience, the other you can hear a pin drop for most of the show!

That's why my method of crowd control is:

1. Learn and experiment with all the control techniques available and find out what works best with your personality and character.
2. Create the best, most professional show you can.
3. If nothing is working, Patience, Patience, Patience! Grab your paycheck and call it a day!

When a room full of children suddenly goes hyper during an event, it is almost impossible to point to a single cause for any one child. Kids carry a long list of hidden variables with them before the curtain even opens. Maybe they are tired, sleepy, hungry, processing changes at home, or simply overwhelmed by the excitement of being in a crowd. Some may have had a perfectly ordinary day, while others walked through the door carrying a whole set of emotions that we know nothing about. Trying to isolate one exact trigger is often like chasing smoke. There may not be one. For the most part, kids are just being kids.

In fact, there may actually be more reason to be concerned about the child who isn't overly excited at a magic show than the one who is bouncing off the walls. Excitement is often a healthy response to something new and interesting. Our job isn't necessarily to eliminate that excitement. It's to learn how to channel it.

Just the expectation of a magician coming to the school, daycare, library, or home can raise the energy level very high before the magician ever arrives. The anticipation starts building as soon as someone announces, "We're having a magic show!"

I guess you could say some kids are already sugared up for you before you ever walk through the door—and they may not have had a single piece of candy.

So now a big part of the entertainer's job changes. Instead of simply trying to get the children excited, you may actually have to bring the energy level down a notch and get everyone focused.

And I can see where this can be a shock for some first-time children's entertainers.

They may have spent hours learning tricks, practicing their lines, and putting together a great show, only to discover that knowing the tricks is only one part of the job. Once you have a room full of excited children, crowd control becomes a very real part of being an entertainer.

And crowd control doesn't necessarily mean being stern, yelling, or constantly telling children to "settle down." In my experience, it is much more effective to give children something positive to do with all that energy.

One thing we did at the daycare was play the freeze game. It was simple. The teacher would get the children moving, making noise, or doing something silly, and then suddenly call out, "FREEZE!"

Everybody had to stop.

No talking. No moving. Just freeze.

Then, after a few seconds, they would release them and do it again.

It sounds almost too simple, but it taught the children something very important: they could turn their energy on and off when asked.

And that is a valuable skill for a magic show.

Of course you don't always want a completely quiet room. A children's entertainer actually wants laughter, reactions, participation, and excitement. A dead-silent audience isn't necessarily a good audience.

The trick is being able to move between the two.
Excitement.
Quiet.
Excitement.
Focus.

You are teaching the audience that there is a time to be loud and a time to listen.

That is one reason I think working with children is much more than simply learning a collection of tricks. You are managing a room, reading the audience, recognizing when their attention is slipping, and knowing when you need to change gears.

Sometimes the best trick you can perform isn't the one you learned from a magic book.

It's the ability to get thirty excited children to freeze, look at you, and listen.

Once you can do that, you're not just performing magic.

You're performing for an audience.

Tom

Here's a couple of thoughts that work for me...

1. Set up expectations before the show. "I'm going to have audience participation. Some will come up to the front and help, and some will help me from where they are. I'll be looking for people sitting down quietly, with their hand in the air, and a big smile on their face."

2. If kids are starting to stand up or move towards you during a trick (when they are getting a little too wound up), say "I can't hear you when you're standing up. You have to be sitting down for me to hear you." (I've seen some parents laugh at this, because it's pretty clever and works most of the time.)

You could even follow that up with pointing at one child who's sitting nicely and saying, "You're sitting nicely." (Point out the positive behaviour).

3. If a child grabs at a magic prop, it's OK to stop and say, "Please don't touch that. You wouldn't like me grabbing at your toys without asking you first."

4. Put tricks away when you are done with them. Out of sight helps. It sounded like your Hippity Hop Rabbits was on display right after the trick (while you had moved on to your next trick), and a child was able to reach into the top, and reveal the method.

- Donald

Great advice from Donald! Part of being a child performer is also being a child psychologist or leanring such applicable techniques.

Sometimes I say, I have to put my toys away or my Mom gets mad.

Maybe just set an age floor where the kids have to be at least eight years old.