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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » First Magic Set (9 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Cryptghost
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Hi

It is my sons 5th Birthday soon, he is trying to copy me as I am learning mentalism, obviously mentalism is probably not for him at this stage. But I want to get him a magic set. I am sure all kids magic sets are excellent, but I want to get him a nice wooden box with some really great magic tricks that he can perform inside. I need some inspiration, what better place to ask than the Magic Café. My Question is..

What was the best trick you did when you were a kid, preferably name tricks that a 5 year old could do?

I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts and stories behind the magic tricks too.

Thanks all

RH
HeronsHorse
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I honestly think a magic set is a great way to go. Simply because the things in the kids' ones are great for a kid. I remember the little orange vase with a blue ball in it(does anyone know the proper name?), from my Paul Daniels magic set when I was about that age. I learned that very fast and was showing it to everyone for ages! There are chips and balls usually, with a simple few moves. Some trick/gaffed cards for a simple trick..I don't remember everything but just how amazed I was at the whole thing.
If you were to make up your own, (which I love as an idea, I think it s brilliant in fact but maybe when he's a bit older?) I'm not sure what you'd put in it that would be as simple as some of the stuff that comes in the kid's sets. You could definitely get gaffed cards, double faces or backs and include your own instructions for some simple self working packet tricks. That's one thing. Then maybe some rope and look into the simplest of effects with that?
Hopefully someone with more knowledge can help you better. I don't have much in this area except my own memories!
A Paul Daniels magic set!!!
Good luck with it. I love that you're starting him out so early.
Paul
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Those who think that magic consists of doing tricks are strangers to magic. Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained."
- S.H. Sharpe
Julie
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Hello Cryptghost

IMO the Melissa & Doug Magic Sets (wooden) available on the open toy market are probably ideal for your and your son's circumstances.
I will even wager that you will wind up keeping at least one or two of the treasures therein for yourself!

Be aware there are a variety of sizes. The bigger the better... Smile

Julie
Wizard of Oz
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I agree with Julie. The Melissa & Doug sets are quite nice: https://www.melissaanddoug.com/our-toys/magic/sets especially the wooden sets. They are almost worth showing as an adult, as they have a unique presence to them that does not scream, "toy!"
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Cryptghost
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Thank you all for the great advice,

Paul lovely memory about the Paul Daniels magic set, I never owned one, but remember them, I wish I had spent more time doing magic as a kid, I am only just starting at the age of 41!

The Melissa and Doug is exactly what I am looking for, thank you, this will be something that he can use and keep for future years
Joeni
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I'd recommend you to show him Professor's Nightmare and Salt Shaker Vanish. These two ones I learnt at age 7 and I think that with 5 years it should be possible too. Maybe something with sponges also? There someone else needs to give you directions.
Dougini
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The mind of a 5 year old...what I know could fit in a thimble (now there is a flashback! LOL). YES! The M & D set is good! For right now, a simple Magic Wand could do wonders! YOU do the magic (sleights, etc) and he holds the wand and commands it to take place! Then, introduce the set to him one piece at a time. I dunno. Just a thought. I just saw an 8-year old on MasterChef! Amazing talent! Start 'em out at five, and he's a MASTER magician by 8! LOL! You never know...

Doug
HeronsHorse
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Quote:
On Jan 17, 2019, Cryptghost wrote:
Thank you all for the great advice,

Paul lovely memory about the Paul Daniels magic set, I never owned one, but remember them, I wish I had spent more time doing magic as a kid, I am only just starting at the age of 41!

The Melissa and Doug is exactly what I am looking for, thank you, this will be something that he can use and keep for future years


Hey, I stopped messing with magic as soon as the age where girls were more magical, was upon me. Smile I never thought of magic again in life until a couple of years ago ... I'm now 45! There's still time for us to make a difference and have our go at it! I wish I'd done it from a young age too though. Can't believe I somehow forgot about my childhood obsession in favour of a rather hedonistic 9-5 life of nothing. Heh.
Feels great to be back on that horse now though. I'm sure you feel the same.
Paul.
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Those who think that magic consists of doing tricks are strangers to magic. Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained."
- S.H. Sharpe
Stephon Johnson
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Personally, I did not start with a Magic Set. But my Grandchildren love my magic and are getting more curious and interested in learning some themselves. So I’m very thankful to the input and I think the Melissa and Doug wooden set will be perfect!

Blessings
Steph
WHAT IF you wake up tomorrow with ONLY the things that you THANK GOD for today?
Cryptghost
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Thanks Joeni, I will make a note of those two great suggestions and Doug that is also something that I have done, but he is really keen to learn how to do them himself so he can show off to friends and family.

Steph I think this is fantastic advice and I have ordered the Melissa and Doug set,
Cryptghost
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Quote:
On Jan 18, 2019, HeronsHorse wrote:
Quote:
On Jan 17, 2019, Cryptghost wrote:
Thank you all for the great advice,

Paul lovely memory about the Paul Daniels magic set, I never owned one, but remember them, I wish I had spent more time doing magic as a kid, I am only just starting at the age of 41!

The Melissa and Doug is exactly what I am looking for, thank you, this will be something that he can use and keep for future years


Hey, I stopped messing with magic as soon as the age where girls were more magical, was upon me. Smile I never thought of magic again in life until a couple of years ago ... I'm now 45! There's still time for us to make a difference and have our go at it! I wish I'd done it from a young age too though. Can't believe I somehow forgot about my childhood obsession in favour of a rather hedonistic 9-5 life of nothing. Heh.
Feels great to be back on that horse now though. I'm sure you feel the same.
Paul.



I am loving learning it all, I am also relieved that you have also started in your 40's, I often feel quite intimidated by the fact that a lot of people started so young, I am just making my way through the 39 steps to mentalism as a start,
HeronsHorse
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Hey my friend, it's a book I'm working through myself. Isn't it just great!?
I highly recommend some of the old classic books. All available for free and out of copyright on archive.org where I have found so many great books, I now have an sd card on my tablet full of them! And all legal I must add.

The ones is recommend to begin with are:
Card Tricks Without Apparatus by Prof. Hoffmann - https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.120996/page/n1
Latest Magic by Prof Hoffmann - https://archive.org/details/latestmagicbeing00hoff/page/n7
Modern Magic by Prof Hoffmann - https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.219102/page/n5
Annemann's Card Miracles - https://archive.org/details/AnnemannsMir....../page/n2
The Art of Magic by T Nelson Downs - https://archive.org/details/cu31924084451008
And a great coin book!
Modern Coin Manipulation by T Nelson Downs - https://archive.org/details/moderncoinmanip00downgoog

They all have links to download in whatever format you prefer, as well as being readable on the site. Also, notice at the bottom of the pages, other related books on the same subject. That site is such a valuable resource.
I just wanted to show you those which are some of the most valuable that I've found to my learning.
I wish I'd started this much earlier too but in confident that there's still time for the likes of you and I to become absolutely great as performers of this Art! As long as we study and practice hard and understand what it means to be a magician. I see so many that do not seem to grasp the last point. It makes me so determined to be good.
Let's show 'em!
Smile
Paul
Quote of the Month
Those who think that magic consists of doing tricks are strangers to magic. Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained."
- S.H. Sharpe
Cryptghost
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Hi Paul

Many thanks for your great and encouraging response. I will have a look at the links too.

I am really enjoying learning and reading about magic and Mentalism, I have found Lybrary.com an amazing resource too

I wish you all the best

RH
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