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piraino New user 94 Posts |
My 8-year old son wants to perform a few magic tricks in his school talent show. So far, we're working on a sliding-coin-box vanishing coin, the jumping rubber band (where the rubber band jumps between fingers), and possibly a silk production from an empty brown lunch bag.
I was hoping folks here might have some recommendations for other tricks for him to try. Preferably ones that would meet the following criteria: 1. Easy for an 8-year old to learn and perform - no fiddly palming or complicated maneuvers. The more self-working, the better. 2. Little or no talking involved. He's not too outgoing in front of crowds. I'm extremely proud of him for trying this at all, and I'd like to stay close to his comfort zone. 3. Visual - it's for a talent show, so it would be nice if it can be seen across the room. Let me know if anyone can think of anything we can try, and thanks for the help! |
adrianbent Loyal user 210 Posts |
It sounds like he's got an act already?
You're question is a difficult one to begin to answer since there are litterally thousands of possible effects or routines that might fit the bill. For any 8-year old, I'll give the advice that I usually give... check out the magic section at your local library. There are lots of "make at home" illusions that are fun for a dad and son team to make. When you get ideas on areas of magic or particular effects that you'd like to know more about, perhaps we can provide more specific help. Hope its a fun experience for you and him! |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Get a one handed change bag. Then let your imagination run wild - cut and restored rope, color changing handkerchiefs, silks that magically tie themsleves together, etc.
Jim |
Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
Is this going to be from a stage in a auditorium?
If so the rubber band effect won't be seen by most, neither will regular size card effects (unless there is a video being shown on a screen, some schools have good equipment) Keep it simple, fun and big Tell your son to play to the back of the room jimhlou has a great idea with the change bag You can do most everything to music and your son won't have to speak Maybe something with D-Lites? Again the biggest thing is he has a great time
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Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day Piraino
This sounds like a great project to be working on with your son and you have some clearly defined parameters. I would be concerned that the rubber band effect may be difficult to see from a distance. Effects with silks would be a sure way to go and I also reckon that a change bag effect would work for your situation. The strength of a simple cut and restored rope routine should not be overlooked. What about a coloring book - packs flat plays big - and has impact from a distance. Let us know how it goes. Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob) |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
A Milk Vanishing Pitcher looks great, lends itself to your son using his imagination to come up with a surprise finish, very visual AND it's easy-to-do.
Another consideration is any easy card trick, but use a jumbo deck of playing cards. Have FUN! Julie |
Ejay New user 7 Posts |
Visual tricks with color changing liquids may be a good idea. They could also teach him a bit of chemistry in the process. The book Modern Chemical Magic By John Lippy Jr. & Edward L. Palder, is a good resource.
The book Magic For Dummies - By David Pogue- ISBN 0-7645-5101-9 in chapter 5 has a ring and string trick which is totally self working, takes a minimum of practice, is visually effective, and can be done even by an 8 year old. For a stage effect, I suggest scaling it up. Instead of fingers, use some sort of posts such as those used to rope off areas. In place of string, try rope. In place of a finger ring, use a something the size of a hula hoop. Karl Fulves Self Working Card Tricks (ISBN 0-486-23334-0)has some interesting tricks an 8 year old could do. For stage, he should either use a pack of giant cards, or-for the sake of ease, and low cost-use a normal sized deck of cards, but have the table the cards are on covered by a video camera, which is hooked up to a large screen TV, or such. That will make it easier for the audience at a distance to see the action. These tricks would require a minimum of speaking. |
brangwinj Regular user 114 Posts |
The chinese sticks and needle through balloon I have taught many 8 yo to do. But both cost money .
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Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
Needle through balloon costs less than $20
Perhaps draw a face on the balloon after it's inflated but before the needle goes though. Kind a a crazy hypnotized face so it "won't feel the pain" or run with it however you would like
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
This is a “flash effect” that only takes a second, but is highly visible, and EASY!
http://www.magicwhiz.com/circle-square-magic-trick.html Start out showing a “ring”, with some patter about mathematicians looking for ways to “square the circle”. It instantly and visibly changes to a square. I use this as an almost “throwaway gag”, folding up the device and sticking it into my inside coat pocket. By the time the audience has stop chuckling, I’m ready for my next trick. I’d think it would play great for a school show where Math is an “issue” for most students. “Take THAT, Mr. Swafford! (popular Math Teacher)” (You can change it back and forth as many times as you want, but that generally hits diminishing returns pretty quickly) Posted: May 5, 2010 5:24pm The Chinese Sticks can also be funny (depending in how much chutzpah your 8 year old can muster). The bit with “borrowing a hair” from a bald-headed audience member never seems to get old. If there’s a teacher who is “follicly challenged”, the kids will howl!
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piraino New user 94 Posts |
Hi all,
Thanks for the great suggestions, I really appreciate it. I cross-posted this in the kids' magic area, and someone there suggested the Vanishing Bandanna. That ended up being *perfect*. He didn't have to worry about talking at all, and is able to take cues from the CD soundtrack as the routine progresses. The tryouts were today. He was really excited about the trick and had a lot of fun practicing it over the past couple of weeks. Apparently the tryout went very well - he said everyone was laughing the whole time, and he got several good comments from some of the adults there afterwards. He'll find out tomorrow if he made it into the show, but I consider it a success already, whether or not he makes it in. |
adrianbent Loyal user 210 Posts |
Vanishing Bandana - that reminds me (sorry to go on a tangent here) -
...I've been meaning to record this from "cassette" to MP3 or other digital media format for about 3-4 years now. If someone could please spare me the hassle, perhaps a PM, I'd be appreciative. Thanks, Adrian |
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Thank you, Piraino, for keeping us current.
And you're right to be proud of him. Just stepping up in front of an audience is a HUGE victory that most people will never know. Vanishing Bandana is a hilarious effect. Justin Kredible adds to the effect by pulling an actual yellow bandanna from a back pocket to wipe his hands on after the final vanish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjywmn1EQaI Is your son doing other effects as well? And please let us know the audition results.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
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