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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
I have been approached by a local Holiday Camp to come up with some Magic Workshops and Balloon Modeling Workshops this summer.
The balloon modeling is not a problem. Although not as accomplished as many others on this forum I can create quite a few items and teach these to others. The Magic Workshops are another thing. They want two styles: one for 5-7 year olds and one for 8-14 year olds. All the workshops are to last for one hour. What sort of things would you guys include here? I don't want to give away all the secrets of Magic and/or how to do all the effects in my show. Which is also being considered by them at the moment. I imagine this will also involve selling items such as small balloon modeling kits and small magic sets to the kids as well, if I can provide these to the Holiday Park. Where does someone get these in bulk? Has anyone else run similar workshops? How did they go for you? What were the best bits? What should I avoid? __________________________________ Still no ideas, guys? I thought someone here must have done something similar before. Looking into the magic workshops now its going to be a series of three workshops, each lasting 1-2 hours over a period of a week. This is then repeated every week of the summer holidays. Anyone else out there done this before or is it too much hassle to organise? Thanks in advance. Stu |
Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Stu,
Balloon modeling is fun and easy but requires a lot of practice to develope the speed you will need to hold their attention. Very small class size will help. You're a brave man! I wish you success. Bob Magic By Sander |
RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
Try and get a hold of Bill Abbott from the Toronto, Canada area. Maybe Morrissey Magic in Toronto can put you in touch with him.
He has a few marketed items for magicians, but what a lot performers may not realize is that Bill is also an excellent teacher when it comes to magic workshops. He's a great guy and he may be able to help you out. And Bill, if you're reading this, why not market your workshop material? Other than that, there was a book put out in the not too distant past that dealt with doing exactly what you are talking about. I can't remember the name or the author, but it was available through a number of magic shops, so a few phone calls or a bit of internet surfing should give you the skinny on it. I believe the book contained lessons and materials needed and used everyday items that were not too expensive. Good luck. Rob |
Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
Tricks with ropes are good: appearing knot, tricks that you build with them is good as well: Budha tubes made of juice canisters and pringles chips, inside load is a roll of toilet paper sealed off at one end.
A simple card revelation is good. You teach them the cut force and then they come up with the most amazing way to reveal it. (Don't underestimate them. One kid came up with something once and I still use it myself to this day.) A paddle, move with popsicle sticks that you have already cut. They colour them to their likings. I teach them the French drop. This is the one kids remember the most and can do anytime. And to this day, kids come up to me and show me the French drop they learned. Basically, you want to get the kids making their own props, that "wastes" time a little and gets their creative juices flowing. Have fun! Workshops are so much fun! |
Rudolph McGuinness New user Isle of Man 23 Posts |
Is this Holiday Centre also booking a show off you? Or are they just trying the "workshop" ploy to have you there for hours for the same money?
Watch that you don't end up teaching half a dozen £85 a week Bluecoats how to take food out of your children's mouths too! Sorry to sound cynical, but you mentioned holiday camps! Rudy. |
ThePartyMagician Loyal user Bristol, UK 216 Posts |
Hi Stu,
I am based over in the UK (Bristol, so not a million miles from you!) and invested in a 'magic class/workshop' course that probably has some of the things you're looking for. I do a LOT of workshops for 7-11's, have done a FEW for up to 14's. PM me and we can chat about things, and hopefully I can help you! Kind regards Mike |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Don't forget the Prayer Vase. Very easy to make using old bottles some decoratuion a short piece of rope and an eraser to do the dirty work. Other easy ones that teach magic but not too much would be the pre-scliced banana, an esay version of sheep & Thieves using pennies,and ring on shoelace using a safety pin and a handkerchief. These are the ones I usually teach when asked to do a class for kids.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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magicbern Inner circle Hong Kong, China 1220 Posts |
The book mentioned above was called 'Magicians in the Making' and the author was James Merrill. It was published by SPS Publications and can probably be found in Samuel APtrick Smith's website. I got my copy from Hank Lee's. It's agood book with lots of simple but effective advice.
Also there are a couple of videos and an audiotape put out by Dave Rsiley and the late Brian Flora (www.floraco.com). Hope this helps! |
Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
Nice! Prayer Vase with an eraser gimmick! Brilliant! I love it! Merci Frank!
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
De rien Leclerc (I hope I've written you are welcome).
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
With a French name like that you should know! (yeah you did) what kind of vases? Where do you get 15 vases? Salvation army or dollar store or something?
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circuskevin New user Birmingham, UK 65 Posts |
I guess the holiday camp managers want interesting and 'different' activities to keep the kids occupied. A magic workshop does not necessarily mean you have to teach magic the entire time. You could even give a short show. Have some games with a magical theme. Get the kids to dress up as witches and wizards(great for photos). For the little ones a boxful of puppets might be fun to play with(rabbits, owls, bats, witches and wizards). You could teach older children how to balance objects using witches brooms, first on their hands then their noses.
Just a few ideas. Kevin |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
I just had them decorate plastic pop bottles for the vases. They can bring them from home. Grocery stores have interesting bottles in the section that sell ethnic foods. Soy sauce, hot sauce bottles. I am always looking for interesting shaped bottles, but a dollar store is a good choice.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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