I was doing a large show (about 300 people) of mostly adults... I had planned to do a Capehart/McBride -esque miser's dream routine, so I didn't have a lot of options for kid volunteers, I picked the only one who was about the right age and raised their hand when I said I wanted a "younger volunteer". A little bit into the routine it became clear that I had picked a non-cooperative kid: I had to keep redirecting them to stand next to me hands at their sides ( they kept backing away).. refusing to play along when I tried to have them strike a dramatic pose with me, physically recoiling from me when I tried to do the "blow your nose in the bucket gag" I did my best to get through it, but it was tough... Anyone ever get in a difficult spot like this? How did you handle it?

Make them a Balloon Animal , and choose somebody else.

Keep in mind that the audience doesn't know your routine, so you can add or drop parts of it and they'll never know. Knowing your coin moves cold, you could ad-lib your way through a few different steps with no one the wiser.

In your case, at the first sign of backing away, I might have tried to get them to wiggle a finger to make a coin just appear in your hand. If they wouldn't do that much, I'd say they brought up an invisible coin with them and pull it out of the air from between the two of you.

Drop it in the bucket, tell the group to give him or her a big clap, and send them back.

Then immediately step over to someone seated and produce a coin from their sleeve or shoe, drop it in and get them a little applause.

Two slow starts to your normal routine but now you might find someone smiling enough to get up and finish out the set.

The few times it happened to me, I had to think fast to send them back with a clap and keep going with a new helper. Totally messed up my normal routine! I had to drop a few funny bits, but we got through it with everyone happy and no one knew the difference, lol.

Did you have multiple volunteers or just one? Are you using "them" instead of "he"or "she"?
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Just the one.. The audience was 99% adults. The only other children I could see were a little too young. My backup plan going into the show was to use my own son, if there was no one from the audience... I just worried that his reactions might not be as "natural"... in hindsight, he would have still been the better option.

You should add some funny bits of business with the child before going into your routine. This would give you a chance to evaluate his appropriateness for the routine.

Was asked to do a routine for Grandparents day at my community (55 +). Only kid there was age 3. So, said "lets pretend" and had a couple of adults help- it was a lot of fun and laughs

That sounds like it could be an interesting and fun premises for an actual routine.

It was / is fun, - also effects can be done for adults or kids by changing the story - for instance , 'coin pail', for kids, " bucket, from my Wishing Well to gather Wishes (coins)' or at adult, "the Tax commissioner requested me to gather the Entertainment tax.' even pay through 'the nose'

Change the performance without a child volunteer. Script the story to the Magicians easy way to make money. Or how you started your own coin mint. It's a great routine and the method can be presented so many different ways. David Williamson, in my opinion, has a great presentation.

The noise of the coins in the pail let alone someone grabbing for their face can be off putting for some Kids.
Imagine if someone tried to grab your nose, you'd duck too.
Magic Mike's suggestion of warming up with the Kid can also ease them into your expectations.

It is funny if you get coins from your own nose. (I'm not sure if it shows you have a cents of humor or a keen cents of smell) but just act like that's the way it always goes.

it seems like the Kid was just a little overwhelmed by the experience.
Everyone watching probably saw the problem. They (and especially the Parents) appreciate that you did your best without making it an issue.

As far as what to do when these things happen...? As long as you proceed with kindness instead of trying to follow your usual path it will all land about as well as it can.

-Mary Mowder

I occasionally get an uncooperating kid. I just pick another to finish the routine. If it is 99% adults I do an adult show. Much of my patter changes, but many of the tricks stay the same.