No balloney, I'd love some advice for a children's show

[Senex]

Much of my children's equipment turned out to be tired or broken. I know I can spend $100 at a magic store and have two or three new kick ass effects, but this gig doesn't pay. I own books, and I doubt anyone would really be angry if we shared ideas for children's magic that was inexpensive.

[TheOneTrueGlenn]

the magic coloring book;
rope tricks (professor's nightmare; cut/restored rope);

as a professional clown I used to do professor's nightmare (I called it 'the three equal sized pieces of rope trick') with a volunteer from the audience "I need someone who is really smart to help me... who's really really smart in this group?" the volunteer would trim the ropes to make them exactly equal, and the more they trimmed, the more unequal they would get... eventually I would end up with one piece of rope 'all the same length' and I would do 'the one equal sized piece of rope trick' (cut and restored rope) if you have some comedy skills, this can work out as a 20 minute routine without getting dull

you have books and some imagination, just trust the kids to supply the rest

[Senex]

the magic coloring book;
rope tricks (professor's nightmare; cut/restored rope);



you have books and some imagination, just trust the kids to supply the rest

I've seen the coloring book and wish too have it but my budget is over already. Your rope trick is indeed appropriate. I have a linking rope trick and a red-white-and-blue rope trick where three different ropes merge as one.

I must admit I am uncomfortable with ropes coming out of my sleaves and cutting ropes on stage. The ages of the children are much too disparate to be comfortable. I'm stressed.

[JonWhite]

How about using coils? Cheap and if played for laughs the kids'll love the effect of impossible lengths of silks being produced from various places.

[Senex]

How about using coils? Cheap and if played for laughs the kids'll love the effect of impossible lengths of silks being produced from various places.

I have spent hundeds of dollars on effects in the past. I won't spend anything until after this day is over.

[TheOneTrueGlenn]

Magic coloring book just takes a 99 cent coloring book, prep it yourself with 3 crayons and a pair of scissors.

If you are uncomfortable with letting one kid from the audience cut ropes, pick an adult. Make sure you have the kids pick out the smartest adult in the group.Or the 'best with scissors' whatever. Spend some time on picking out your volunteers and make it part of the show.

If you don't have enough ideas, go to a library and look up some new effects. Or look on the internet.

[thaiboxerken]

Fart jokes, make lots of fart jokes.

[Senex]

My thread about my Beltain appearance seems to have vanished -- but that doesn't excuse you rascals for not asking me about how my show went.

A fellow who does much research but hasn't performed in over 20 years decides to do a mentallism show totally out of his depth and no asks me how it went.

There will be no living vicariously through me. I'm not the kind of fellow who looks for attention when it is not naturally bestowed. No sir, you rascals can go through your day not knowing how a novice did after watching a couple of Banachek videos and reading some books. My successful abiity to predict a word in a book suggested by a stranger is of no interest here.

Honestly, disinterest has hurt my feelings. I did what I said I would do. I didn't suck, I will be exponentially better next time.

[JonWhite]

My thread about my Beltain appearance seems to have vanished -- but that doesn't excuse you rascals for not asking me about how my show went....Honestly, disinterest has hurt my feelings. I did what I said I would do. I didn't suck, I will be exponentially better next time.

Ah Senex, you misjudge us....

By a reading of the Tarot thru the mystical Celtic Cross spread for your Beltane appearence coupled with a Centre T*** and a sneaky peak for evaluating your mentalism act, we already knew you wouldn't/didn't suck!

Appologies for simple oversight in not telling you however. :D

[firecoins]

Whats wrong with baloney? I think baloney is great for a kids show. I loved baloney as a kid.

[Senex]

OK, how can I refuse such a popular outpouring. I'll tell you details of my show. Ironically, tricks that invovled my mixing with the crowd worked the best. The lowpoint was when I used a gimmicked thumb tip to write a prediction and used a gimmicked silk to show "ghost" spirit writing. Another low point was when I let someone freely choose a card and I turned around and scratched that card on my arm with my fingernail so it would slowly appear later. That trick doesn't work well for crowds.

Other tricks went off just as they should. Performing woo gets the blood pumping.

[Uncle Feedle]

My part-time job involves me working with small groups of children, and magic often comes in handy. While I use the occasional small pocket trick (eg. D'Lite's) most of the time I just use everyday objects. I find that just about any trick can work well with children if they can relate to it in some way.
For example, with a group of kids who I knew listened to a lot of music, I tried a mentalism effect where I predict their choice of chart single from that weeks top fifty, which went down very well.

When dealing with small groups, I think the effect of being able to perform quick, short tricks with just about anything lying around and making it seem completely natural is more effective than any expensive magic prop. Tricks with borrowed items work well, such as rope and knot effects with a borrowed scarf. They also like being taught stuff which they can then show to others. Ok, this kinda breaks the rules somewhat, but even just a simple coin vanish or card flourish becomes very meaningful to them if THEY can do it themselves.

While I have no experience performing for large groups eg. at a party, I would imagine that's probably where the bigger, flashy effects are best since you're trying to keep everyone's attention for a prolonged period.