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MikeRaffone Special user 623 Posts |
I have a ton of effects for older kids but haven't seen much for ages 2-5 yrs and would like to start a list of routines that work well for this age group.
Here's some of my favorites: sponge balls/bunnies d'lites flash cards (by Creative Magic) Thanks, Mike
Mike Perrello
DC Area's Leading Family Entertainment Expert |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Whatever you perform for that age bracket needs to be QUICK and VISUAL. If their in the 2-3 range, I will usually stick to my color changing silk routine. That they, you can engage the child w/o the expectation of them trying to help you. They just sit and watch the show. D'lites as you mention would also be good for this age group.
Most 4-5 year olds kids can follow just about anything. They don't have any problem understand Cups and Balls, Sponge Balls/Bunnies, hot rods, etc. They know when something vanishes and reappears, etc. I wouldn't worry about this age bracket. They have a pretty good grip on reality at this point...so when they see something that is BEYOND the norm, they know "ooooh, MAGIC!" But the 2-3 year olds, I would stick to something that you can do in less then 30 seconds b/c their attention span won't last more than that (if that!).
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Sammy J. Inner circle Castle Rock, Colorado 1786 Posts |
A simple coin vanish and reappearance seems to work pretty well. It puzzles them, but gets a good reaction.
Sammy
Sammy J. Teague
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joshsmagic Regular user Chicago 189 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-08-07 00:20, Sammy J. wrote: I agree with this, even a jumbo coin after a vanish and a production is effective |
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Doc Dixon Special user Pennsylvania, USA 655 Posts |
This isn't exactly what you asked for, but I used to do it all the time when I was doing restaurant magic. If I'm at a table with a young kid, the kid does the magic. Here's what I mean: let's say I'm doing an ambitious card routine. Every time the kid "presses the button" on top of the deck, the card arrives. Of course, it doesn't work when an adult tries it. Only the kid.
This enables me to do my favorite material without having to, for lack of a better term, dumb down the magic so the kid can follow. Plus, it's fun for the adults to see the kid become a star, if only for a few moments while still playing directly to the adults. Best, DD |
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AaronTheMagician Loyal user 291 Posts |
Don't forget, even doing some cigarette manipulations with crayons or something they are familiar with is highly effective.
And I second D'Lites. Just get ready -- in some environments, the kids will follow you around expecting you to continue to do it indefinitely. .: shrugs :. |
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BrucUK Regular user UK 163 Posts |
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cvwtzhaar New user 36 Posts |
I have found that kids in that age group understand appear and disappear.
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Big bag of 260's.
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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MikeRaffone Special user 623 Posts |
You guys are terrific!
Every idea here is very helpful. DD, this makes me realize a lot of adult effects I currently use can be used to get the attention of both adults and the little ones. Thanks again.
Mike Perrello
DC Area's Leading Family Entertainment Expert |
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
One of the greatest tricks of all time for young kids is a card trick. I have used it for 6-8 year olds both in close-up and on stage. It is an Eddie Fechter trick, explained in Magician Nitely and The Magic of Eddie Fechter called "Eight to Twelve."
It is the most hilarious effect, and incredibly fun to perform with kids. It doesn't matter what the cards are, it is all about counting. "Can you count to ten? I need someone who is very good at counting..." is the way I always start out with kids. There is instantly a real conflict, discrepancies, and arguments over the count. It is a gem. Run, don't walk for an effect that requires some sleight of hand but is much easier than it would appear. It is so well-routined, the moves are alwasys covered by the obvious and necessary actions. It is a true work of genius that is sadly neglected. In the books, they don't talk about its value for kids. I have brought two kids up on stage on cruise ships and absolutely killed ten minutes with this routine. I seldom push routines. This one you should make some effort to discover. The humor is absolutely built into the situation in a way seldom seen in magic. "I'm sorry, that wasn't 12, that was 13. Count with me..." "Are you sure you know how to count? I think that was just seven...Count with me..." The ferociousness of the kids' responses are hysterical. |
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Mediocre the Great Inner circle Rich Hurley 1062 Posts |
Whit, thank you for sharing that excellent tip. I’ll have to try it.
One of my favorite things to do with kids from 3 up is my “piggy bank routine”: Load a jumbo plastic coin under your back belt or side of coat. Have a half dollar loaded on the back of your neck - I use a shim coin with magnetic hold out, or just place a regular coin on the back collar. Kids, where do you keep your money? In piggy bank? Know where magicians keep their money? In their ELBOW (kids think this if funny) Show both hands empty and pretend to pluck a coin from the elbow. As you do, pick up a coin concealed on the back of your shirt collar with your other hand.. Can you see it? Oh, it's invisible! Let me wipe it off so you can see it., Produce the coin at your fingertips. After I produce the coin I vanish it produce it from my knee. Under this cover I steal the plastic jumbo coin. Have the child blow on the coin and turn it into the jumbo. Since we use their magic, they get to keep the coin. The coins cost me about $.20 each in quantity. You could even put some advertising on them if you like. Kids really get a kick out of this! If you don't try it, you're missing out on a great kids trick. They NEVER FORGET you or the trick.. I’ve seen kids a year later and they remember me and the coin.
Mediocrity is greatly under rated!
-------------------------------------------- Rich Hurley aka Mediocre The Great! www.RichHurleyMagic.com |
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Wes65 Inner circle I've said very little in 1219 Posts |
I do a ten coin production/Miser's dream that small kids love.
Wes
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MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
My wife is a Special Ed teacher and she asked me to do a bit for a her kids a few years ago. She told me they were around the same level of a 3-5 yr old normal child.
When I asked what I should do the main emphasis she made was NOTHING where I put anything in or take anything from ears, eyes or mouth as she didn't want them trying to emulate me! Food for thought! MMc |
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mmura New user Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (New Zealand) 52 Posts |
How about producing chocolate from cards?
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scaevola Loyal user 251 Posts |
Great thread people, lets keep the ideas going.
I did a gig today and about 2/3 of the kids were under 6. I had other stuff for the older kids, but here's what I did for the youngest people: I didn't have my sponge balls but I had some mouth coils, and vernet multiplying bubbles. I have a little routine where I blow some bubbles, manipulate them with my fingers, swallow one and produce a rainbow of paper from my mouth. This went over really well even with those too young to come out from around mom. The bubbles wouldn't be a go in a restaurant but the visual impact needs to be on this level to get the youngest to like it. I did my handling of McBride's favorite trick (a silk production and transformation). I think what made that one work is the simplicity and the handling I got from Jeff which can't be resisted by any human. But mostly they all loved Lydia! She is my mouse friend. Most people have met her cousin Judy. She was a big hit. |
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MarvinWang Loyal user 274 Posts |
I just spit out cards from my mouth....3 times!!!
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idstroem New user Sweden 15 Posts |
I like the idea of the child doing the magic, as Doc Dixon suggested. The Malini Egg Bag could be used for this purpose as well, with only the child being able to find the egg. Puzzles the adults that felt an empty bag just moments before, as well.
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Roland Henning Special user Kiel, Germany 511 Posts |
One of the greatest tricks I found so far, is just changing one card for another. But let the kids do it. Basically show the top card, switch it via DL or TC and let them snap the card. Then turn it over and it has changed. But the best part: Let the parents try it and they fail.
The parents won't mind, the kid thinks he/she is cool and everything is fine. But be sure to say the following as you leave: "Unfortunately it only works when a magician is around" to avoid any bad experiences when the kid tries it on his/her own. |
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scaevola Loyal user 251 Posts |
Oh that is a great idea where the kid succeeds and the parent fails.
I am trying to get more tricks for coaxing the littlest people, the 3 year olds, basically, into enjoying the magic. I find that unlike 5+ they don't follow card tricks aside from maybe what Roland mentioned and some color changes. One thing that was working was a trick where a rubber band jumps through my finger. I think the fact that I could do it again and again no problem helped get their attention. Anyone try spellbound with very little kids? I imagine the repeated changes would be effective. I find they like to have things happen a few times so they can react a few times themselves. |
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