I have been doing magic for 3 years but just for adults and I really want to get into kids parties but I have a couple of question.
1- how many sets for different age groups
2-how long should it last
any other advice on starting out would be great

Hi Steve

Buy Seriously Silly
Buy Terry Herberts Dvd
Buy Anything of David Ginns
Buy Anything of Sammy Smith Ken Scott Eric Sharp et al

You will find in David Kayes Book how to routine the same effect for different age groups.

The Average show is usually 30mins - 1hr

Its going to cost a bit to start off with but buy books and read re read and read them again! learn from those with expereience of performing and know what makes Children Tick.

You could also spend a few hours trawling through this very website- there are loads of Tips advice and routines to start you on your way

Hope this helps

Wacky

Make sure you love and respect kids like they were your own on stage. I realize this may sound kind of snotty, but it's the most important factor of all if you're going to last.
Chris

I like to just BE one of the kids as oppose to just loving them. If you BE a kid at a kidshow, you will be accepted by the kids. And the adults will find you professional and wonder how you bonded so well with the crowd.

IT is a great method...try it!

I think you have to be a kid at heart in the first place to love kids, Kyle. You and I are on the same page!
:)
Chris

Kinda off topic, but that is one reason I perform for kids. I love being around kids, I am deffiently a kid at heart and it reflects on how I am with kids. If you can be at kid at heart you can go far.

Paul
P.S. kyle I love your suit, wanna send it to me?

Adults want you to challenge their minds. Children want you to challenge them visually. If you would like me to be more spacific buy Silly Billy's book.
Al

I agree Al. Silly Billy book is a great place to look.

Thanks for the compliment. It is a Red Zoot Suit. It is my most favorite suit to wear for shows and it gets a lot of attention and compliments. I wear it with black button up shirt and a playing cards necktie (incase you could not make it out in the pic) and a pair of black and white wingtip shoes.

They are available at http://zootsuitstore.com

They are available in many styles and colors. They are a bit expensive, but WELL worth the money.

Were you asking me to send you the suit or a full picture of it?

I think I get it if it was a joke!

Thanks again,
Kyle

Another vote here for the Silly Billy book. And also get Patrick Page's Secret Seminars of magic volume 6.

I have never read silly billy's material, but is seems to be highly rated and referred. I have always enjoyed David Ginn's material. I know David, and I have learned very much from his performances and writings. He was one of my inspirations to start kidshows. He inspired me during elementary school to begin magic, and it was so great to become friends and gain advice with and from my own inspiration.

Kyle it is a great suit.The color is great but I don't drive and a lot of shows in NY are not in the safest area to wear red.Sense I'm young they may think I'm a Blood(Gang).Thanks for the link.
Six

I too have a unique outfit that I wear. It has taken me a while to figure out what makes sense to me and my character on stage but it has served me well to be both different and unique and allow me to both look professional while also standing out from other magicians.

I wear black tux pants and wear customized shoes that appear to have white spats on but are actually a part of the show alltogether. I then wear a white band collar shirt with a small black rim on the neck area. I also wear a broach on the top most button of the shirt.

I then wear a full black on black vest and my red jacket. I often wear a gold chain connected to my vest with a pocket watch for when I do my dancing hank routine. All in all it works for me. It may not work for everyone, but it is unique to my character and makes me feel comfortable and stand out. I can also adapt it easily to any sitautaion in the event that I am outside and need to dress lighter.

Getting back to the original post questions, the best bet for you is to go out there and really study and learn. Get the books and videos and watch and read up on children's magic. Then go out there and perform some free shows to give you the experience and a testing ground for yourself.

Kyle