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MentalMik Regular user Ridgecrest, California 183 Posts |
I've been doing the vanishing coin to ear and other silly tricks for the grand daughters, they love it and the five year old calls me her magical grandpa. Of course this means I got volunteered to do a magic show for her birthday party.
Being interested in mentalism I do not have any kids effects. I told wife and daughter this but wife said make a list of what I need and we can order it (I checked outside the window for flying pigs!) she never says that about my mentalism. I need ideas of some effects to do for 5 - 6 year olds. We do have a rabbit but I don't think "EB" would sit still long enough to come out of a hat when I need him too. I'd like to have a running gag, maybe a toy rabbit I misplaced that the kids can shout about when it appears in various places and I don't see it. I don't think Bob Cassidy billet routine will keep these kids entertained!
From the mind of Mik.
Ridgecrest, California, by way of the UK. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Did you let them know that simply ordering some kids tricks doesn't make you a kids magician??
I would learn to do the classics. Then you can perform a show for whomever. Linking rings egg bag color changing hank professors nightmare chop cup etc. ...but it takes a heck of a long time to come up with your own material and an entertaining show. if you don't have the time to become entertaining using the classics, then read the silly billy book and watch the chris capehart dvds and do some of their stuff. I have not purchased kids material in years so I'm not sure of the newer stuff out there. I'm sure some of it's good and people will tell you so.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I think that putting together a successful kid's show is a feat of magic in itself.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I just deleted a post. I spent 15 minutes, explaining a few "facts of life". Then, I decided that it would be futile to try and educate someone. (I've been accused of being too pedantic!)
Ambitious card said it very well! In my 70 years, performing, I never once put a diaper on a kid's head! (Only a few will "get" that!) I'm outa here.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
Show them your "treasures." Your first magic coin and when you discovered the magic it could do. The first time you realized that your favorite pencil was magic. The magic piece of string or ribbon you found that was wrapped around a birthday present when you were young. Your first deck of playing cards, when you learned how magical cards could be. Work the kids into your stories so it is about them as much as about you and your discoveries, as in: "I didn't realize how magnetic Janie was until I discovered that every time a coin disappeared I would find it attached to her ear" etc. "Whenever a card disappears from the deck of cards, just ask Bobby to stand up and see if he is sitting on it. He's magical that way." Have fun. You know these kids and what tickles their funny bones and imaginations, so just have a good time with them as their magic grandpa.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 16, 2017, TheAmbitiousCard wrote: Ha! Great post! I bought Hippity Hop Rabbits when they first 'came out', in the mid '40s. I was 14. It's a good routine, but, it's a "one timer". (You can't repeat it for a group that has seen it before~!!!!!!!!!!) So, it has lain in a trunk in storage for more years than I care to count! You told him about the "good stuff"! Except for the chop cup, what you mentioned, is a big part of my act!!! Add the Serpentine Silk, the 20th Century Silks, some rope knots, the "Slydini Knots" (I was doing them, years before Slydini!) a golf ball routine, the Misers Dream, and, THAT'S my act! --Oh, I forgot the illusion routine! --The Boomerang Sticks, the Jastrow Area Illusion (the six spot card) and the silk thru mike stand. We think so much alike, we must have had the same mother!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
Buying kid magic props without knowing how to entertain is like buying boxing gloves and suddenly thinking you're a boxer. It's an insult to all of us who spend years studying the art of entertaining children.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
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Christian Wilde New user 90 Posts |
I think Jim touched the OP's needs the best. It seems to me, that he wants ideas for a few tricks to show at his granddaughters birthday and not really insult professional kids entertainers by throwing something together. If you search for magic tricks for kids on youtube, there is a couple of channels that could fit your needs. Julians magicians school and Ken Kellys channels will be a good place to start, if you want to put together a show, that would go over well for af five year old birthday party. Of course the other guys are right if you want to expand to more serious kids entertainment - but for a one time thing for family it is certainly doable. 😊
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 16, 2017, MentalMik wrote: Since it's family and you're already the "magical grandpa," I recommend visiting a local magic shop and asking the owner or demo-magician what basic effects they carry that would entertain five-year-olds. If you don't have a local shop, check out Magic Warehouse (under "Tricks/Kids Show.") Penguin doesn't have a kid-specific category. Kids love mouth-coils, hat tears, bright, colorful effects, "Kids Cards Across" (Tommy James). Actually, almost anything by Tommy James. A small dream-bag works well. I use the one by Royal as a finale. Sponge balls, linking ropes, Tricky Turvy Botles, etc. Keep it simple and basic for that age. And make it fun. You might want to watch a few "Great Zucchini" videos on YouTume to glean some silly stuff. Remember... it's family. Have fun! http://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store/ind......&path=59 |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
The important thing to remember with kids under eight is that it's important to be silly. I would argue (and this may be controversial) that it's MORE important to be silly than it is to be a good magician.
For some tricks that are easy enough to do and get good reactions, consider the following: The Magic Coloring Book (I like Silly Billy's routine which you can find in his book or DVD) Hippity Hop Rabbits (or any "turn it around" sucker trick) What's Next (or Dots Next, which is what I have but which I think is the knock off version) Vanishing Silk with a TT Silver Scepter Cut and Restored Rope Those are a few to get you started, at least. If you're interested in really digging in and understand kids magic, definitely check out Seriously Silly (book or DVD), Beyond Look Don't See by Christopher T. Magician, and maybe a few of Tommy James' excellent DVDs (he also has amazing props).
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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Doc Willie Regular user 160 Posts |
Spotty
Sponge Bunnies Ribbon from Mouth |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 18, 2017, TKD27 wrote: I completely disagree.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
I agree with TheAmbitiousCard. If you want to be a clown like Silly Billy, then you have to be silly.
But if you want to be a fun, entertaining magician, then there’s no need for silliness. |
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RealityOne Loyal user 227 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 18, 2017, TKD27 wrote: I think it is important to be entertaining. Being silly is one way to be entertaining, but there are many other ways of being entertainning for children. Ultimately, you need to be entertaining AND have strong magic. Quote:
On Jul 17, 2017, Danny Kazam wrote: It's an insult to all of us who spend years studying the art of entertaining children. Wow. A grandpa performing a bunch of magic tricks for his grandchild's birthday is an insult? If that is what you are saying, you take yourself way too seriously. No matter what he performs and how he perfomrs it, his grandchildren will love his show because he is their grandfather and he went through all the effort to do it for them. Quote:
On Jul 16, 2017, MentalMik wrote: I need ideas of some effects to do for 5 - 6 year olds. Here is what I would reccomend for a show without having to break the bank: 3D Multiplying Rabbits (Goshman) $11.25 Professor's Nightmare (Wool by Uday) $4.50 Glorpy (Fun, Inc.) $4.50 Combo Cups and Balls (Uday) $16.50 Breakaway Wand $4.50 20th Century Silks (Uday) $7.50 or Thumb Tip Blendo (di Fatta) $6.45 12 Inch Linking Rings (Mr. Magic) $37.46 or Zombie Ball (UdayP) $36.00 Candy Factory (MAK Magic) $11.25 Most of the effects are easy to learn a routine. I'd be glad to help you develop a basic routine for the Cups and Balls and the Linking Rings or Zombie Ball. Michael Ammar's Book and DVDs on the Cups and Balls are the best sources to learn from and there are also great DVDs in L and L's World's Greatest Magic Series for Linkng Rings and Zombie Ball (although Levant's work on the Linkng Rings is the best source and Jeb Sherril's DVDs on Zombie are excellent).
~David
Any perception of reality is a selection of reality which results in a distortion of reality. |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 18, 2017, TheAmbitiousCard wrote: Yup!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
I wasn't necessarily referring to the poster. I was making an opinion on thinking that all you have to do is buy some kid props and wallah, your an entertainer. It's not the props or tricks that make someone entertaining. You have to first be entertaining. Like I said, buying boxing gloves don't suddenly make you a boxer. And unfortunately some think if you buy a trick, the trick or tricks will make you entertaining. That is an insult to those of us who spend years studying how to be entertaining. Sorry if it came across the wrong way. I have no idea if the poster is entertaining or not. I believe my opinion though is valid. Sorry to the poster if any offense was taken by it.
Quote:
On Jul 17, 2017, Danny Kazam wrote: By the way, I do take my profession very serious. It is my full-time job. It pays my mortgage and feeds my family. I work extremely hard at it.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
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RealityOne Loyal user 227 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 18, 2017, Danny Kazam wrote: Thank you for clarifying. I would completely agree with you if the original poster was saying "I was hired to do a kids birthday party in two weeks...." In any area of magic, there will always betrue difference between those merely doing tricks and those performing magic. I love Larry Haas' book "Transformations" where he talks about what is necessary to turn a magic trick into a performance piece.
~David
Any perception of reality is a selection of reality which results in a distortion of reality. |
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MentalMik Regular user Ridgecrest, California 183 Posts |
Thanks for the replies and ideas, last time I performed for kids, I was a kid over 40 years ago. I don't have plans to make a regular thing of it, just to keep the grand kids entertained. I can keep them entertained with silly antics all day long.
I can do the cup 'n' balls, chop cup etc. I planned on hippity hop rabbits and breakaway wand type stuff. I'm just used to reading minds and billet stuff which the kids might not appreciate I'd rather their Mom get a professional kid magician if there is such a thing here.
From the mind of Mik.
Ridgecrest, California, by way of the UK. |
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MentalMik Regular user Ridgecrest, California 183 Posts |
Been a long while since I did the Zombie ball, now I have the urge to perform it again ha ha.
Birthday is in February 2018 so have some time to put something together.
From the mind of Mik.
Ridgecrest, California, by way of the UK. |
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longdeademperor New user 69 Posts |
Hi MentalMik,
As you have some time before the birthday party magic show in February 2018, I would suggest reading 'Super Sized Silly' by David Kaye (Silly Billy). It's a collection of about 150 routines by over 100 different magicians using standard children's magic props and general magic props. It will give you a lot of ideas about how you could present some of these props to children and it will hopefully act as a kind of filter so that you can decide which of these props you are most excited about using and can see yourself performing with before you go out and buy a load of them. I am gradually working through the book myself in order to build my repertoire and expand my knowledge of what exists and is possible in the children's magic world. It is a great addition to the 'Seriously Silly' book and DVD that was previously mentioned in this thread. In some ways, it might be a better starting point. There are so many children’s magic routines by diverse authors in ‘Super Sized Silly’ that it becomes almost a survey or historical snapshot of the contemporary children's magic props currently in most common use. Similarly, Christopher T. Magician's new book 'Just For Fun' has 50 fantastic routines with props that you can source or make easily and is a wonderful sequel to his last book ‘Beyond Look, Don’t See – Furthering The Art of Children’s Magic’, which was again previously mentioned in this thread. In terms of structuring a children’s magic show and where to place certain types of routines within the overall performance, I am still studying the available literature and experimenting on stage in order to refine my set list formula, one that can be easily and consistently replicated (aside from substituting different magical effects for particular age groups and repeat clients). However, I have found ‘Building a Programme’, Chapter 3 in ‘Children’s Parties A Speciality’ by Peter D’Arcy, very helpful. Chapter 2, ‘The Ideal Children’s Trick’, is definitely worth reading too (as is the rest of the book). With regards to a magic show for 5-6 year olds, I would suggest some of the following: Introduction. With a quick visual effect, establish that you are here to entertain the audience with magic and fun and that to make the magic work properly the audience may need to behave in a certain manner (sitting down, etc.). Maybe you show that you have received a letter or series of instructions to help you perform the magic for the birthday child or you might read from a magic spell book in order to set up some kind of quest, theme or narrative for the magic show that will later be resolved at the end of the show. Teach the children the magic words and gestures they will need to perform with you in order to help you bring the magic to fruition. Magic Words Routine. A routine where the magic words that the children have just learned are demonstrated and thus reinforced. Magic Painting Routine. Effects such as the Magic Coloring Book or Splat Rabbit from Practical Magic (https://practical-magic.com/products/splat-rabbit) are very popular with this age group, particularly if you can make it appear that they are going hilariously wrong before they eventually succeed. Splat Rabbit is designed so that the trick fails before it succeeds and the magician can play up that failure for comedic effect to the audience. Magic Washing Routine. A routine with a Magic Washing Machine or even just a three way change bag, some comedy magic wands and many different silk handkerchiefs can provide a great opportunity for bits of comedy business with child volunteers. A lot of situational comedy is often built into Magic Washing Machine effects as the desired magical goal is only achieved after several false starts and failed attempts. Routine with a Disobedient (or Animated) Prop. ‘The Silver Sceptre’ is a fantastic effect for this age group and the children will laugh at a magician in trouble who appears unable to control a magical prop that appears to have a mind of its own. Routines with Child Assistants. An audience of 5 and 6 year olds will always appreciate the opportunity to help a magician on stage, especially if they get to do more than just hold a prop or wave a magic wand at the appropriate point in the routine. Sweet or Candy Production Routine. No 5 or 6 year old will complain if you can make candy appear or can transform something else into candy with a suitable piece of apparatus! Aim to produce nut, peanut and gluten free candy. Magic Cake Baking Routine. Using a real or foam sponge cake and a dove pan or other production device, this is another classic type of birthday party magic routine that has wide appeal amongst the 5-6 year olds. The more unusual the ingredients you use, the better. A ‘sucker’ routine. These routines work best if the children have the last laugh on the magician. In his book, Peter D’Arcy (amongst other magicians) suggests only performing one sucker routine such as the Die Box or Run Rabbit Run in your show and that this routine appear towards the end of the performance. Rabbit or other large production routine. Although this does not need to be the closing item of your show, many of the more traditional books I have read make a point about ending the show with a rabbit or large production routine as the climax. Tommy James produces his rabbit earlier in his show as you can see on his excellent set of ‘Birthday Party Mania’ DVDs, notably the first one - ‘Birthday Party Mania’. ‘Super Sized Silly’ and ‘Just For Fun’ will inspire plenty of ideas for kids effects that can be creatively adapted to fit into the different categories of routines above. I hope this helps. |
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