I'm always looking for simple basic tricks to baffle my grandchildren with over a family BBQ! Preferably fool proof as I haven't mastered sleight of hand yet. Any suggestions for an enthusiastic beginner?

Welcome RichardBatch,

Yes, Check out the "New to Magic" forum.

And don't just assume that you can never learn any sleight of hand. That assumption keeps many likely folks from ever even starting. You can't learn all sleight-of-hand but you can develop skills in particular areas (like sponge balls) that can serve a Grandpa very well. 17 chances to practice should help LOL.

Have fun!

-Mary Mowder

Hi RichardBatch! Mary is right, the "New to Magic" forum is a great place to start.

There are a lot of great self-working card DVDs out that include some mind blowing effects, try this one by Big Blind Media: http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/3756 , although kids may not enjoy card magic.

I like Joshua Jay's "Magic: The Complete Course," https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Complete-Co......61149872 , and also the classic, "Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic," https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Wilsons-Comp......SBRV4XYN

There are many, many more, but those are a few good places to start.

But my best advice... just because a "trick" may be easy-to-do, that doesn't mean it should be done easily. Your audience won't know or care if a trick is easy-to-do, or a self-worker, they just want to be amazed. And if you don't put the practice in for your presentation and end up performing the trick poorly, or amateurishly, you are not doing magic, you are just presenting a puzzle.

Richard:

What are their ages?

Definitely check out the Joshua Jay recommendation. As well as Mark Wilson book.

One easy beginners trick is called the "piano" trick. Some adults figure it out, but many wont.
It doesn't really work for kids under 7. They need to know about even numbers and odd numbers.

Here is a link to one presentation/explantion of the piano trick. https://youtu.be/IICrrKEgWpo