Hello,
So I received a balloon to dove tray as a gift and love the prop... The problem is, I do not have a dove. I have no intention of getting any doves after seeing what happened to my dear friend, David Oliver.
Because I still like the prop and would hate to put it to waste, I figured I would ask you. What alternative items would you use instead of a dove for this effect?
Cheers,
Ben

Spring flowers, spring bills, 'Old Shoe'-rubber, rubber pig, a previously vanished personal item(probably need some help). Maybe Nielson bottles. I always liked the balloon to "?" tray too.

It is also useful for product placement. ie. can of product, award, hot dog, missing silk (especially a card silk), missing handcuffs, etc. For prediction effects, the prediction is produced from the popped balloon.

Blowing up the balloon is because "talk is just hot air". Give it substance!

Bob Sanders

Just to second the spring flowers. I've found them to be a good substitute for doves in many (though certainly not all) cases in that their nature tends to spring and flutter a bit when released. This creates an effect remniscent of the dove while remaining distinct.

-Tom

Hi Ben,

For a really visual moment, I've inflated a red balloon and had dozens of red sponge balls explode into the air. Then you can do an 'over the head' routine with a spectator without worrying about them seeing the object on the floor because it's masked by the mess.

Best,

Matt Roberts

If you are vanishing some object in your show, have it reappear on the tray. I once seen a contestant magician use the tray to have his Zombie ball reappear on it. It looked very good.