Magic for Kids

Perpetual Notion · 12th April 2005, 03:46 PM

Hello all. My friend's 11 year old son was got to participate in a magic act last night and has learned how to do a rope trick. He's now crazy for anything magic and I'm wondering if you would have any suggestions about websites or books for kids who are just starting out. Thanks in advance.

Garrette · 12th April 2005, 05:16 PM

1. Stay away from the magic kits.

2. Mark Wilson's Complete Course of Magic (title may be a little off, but it is Mark Wilson)

3. The Magic Book (by Harry Lorayne)

You could make a career reading no books besides these, and they will help him focus his interests.

Brown · 12th April 2005, 05:29 PM

I agree, stay away from magic kits. (There is a company that has just started putting out some really good magic kits, but so far their availability is limited. Most magic kits are crap.)

I recommend Larry Anderson's "Jawdroppers" videos. The tricks there are not big stage illusions, but they are suitable for showing friends, and some of them can be done close up. Most of the tricks require very little skill. But some of them, even though they are not difficult to do, require quite a bit of practice to do really well.

Also, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Many magic videos have one or two really good tricks, and the most of the rest are stinkers. But Larry Anderson has a pretty good wow-to-dud ratio.

Brown · 12th April 2005, 05:31 PM

For card tricks, get "Scarne on Card Tricks." This book has its share of duds, too, but there are more than a handful of tricks in there that are very good.

NoZed Avenger · 12th April 2005, 06:00 PM

I second all of the above comments.

There are two Mark Wilson books -- one is the Complete Course in MAgic, and the other is the Magic Cyclopedia (or similar) -- you want the Complete Course (much better book).

SteveW · 15th April 2005, 04:23 AM

He's old enough to start practicing sleights. Get The Royal Road book.

Peter S. · 26th April 2005, 05:16 PM

"Now You See It, Now You Don't" by Bill Tarr

I wish I had gotten that book as a kid!

NoZed Avenger · 26th April 2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter S.
"Now You See It, Now You Don't" by Bill Tarr

I wish I had gotten that book as a kid!

Another good 'un.

Perpetual Notion · 26th April 2005, 10:23 PM

Thanks so much. I picked up the Mark Wilson "Complete Course in Magic" for starters and sent this thread to his dad for other ideas. "Now you see it. Now you Don't." sounds fun. He needs some new ideas because the disappearing salt shaker trick is getting a little old

12th April 2005, 03:46 PM	#1
Perpetual Notion Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 412	Magic for Kids Hello all. My friend's 11 year old son was got to participate in a magic act last night and has learned how to do a rope trick. He's now crazy for anything magic and I'm wondering if you would have any suggestions about websites or books for kids who are just starting out. Thanks in advance.
	__________________ "They're not all locked up." - My skeptical grandmother

12th April 2005, 05:29 PM	#3
Brown Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 12,293	I agree, stay away from magic kits. (There is a company that has just started putting out some really good magic kits, but so far their availability is limited. Most magic kits are crap.) I recommend Larry Anderson's "Jawdroppers" videos. The tricks there are not big stage illusions, but they are suitable for showing friends, and some of them can be done close up. Most of the tricks require very little skill. But some of them, even though they are not difficult to do, require quite a bit of practice to do really well. Also, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Many magic videos have one or two really good tricks, and the most of the rest are stinkers. But Larry Anderson has a pretty good wow-to-dud ratio.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

12th April 2005, 05:31 PM	#4
Brown Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 12,293	For card tricks, get "Scarne on Card Tricks." This book has its share of duds, too, but there are more than a handful of tricks in there that are very good.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

12th April 2005, 06:00 PM	#5
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 11,313	I second all of the above comments. There are two Mark Wilson books -- one is the Complete Course in MAgic, and the other is the Magic Cyclopedia (or similar) -- you want the Complete Course (much better book).
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15th April 2005, 04:23 AM	#6
SteveW Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 265	He's old enough to start practicing sleights. Get The Royal Road book.
SteveW Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 265

12th April 2005, 05:16 PM	#2
Garrette Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 10,628	1. Stay away from the magic kits. 2. Mark Wilson's Complete Course of Magic (title may be a little off, but it is Mark Wilson) 3. The Magic Book (by Harry Lorayne) You could make a career reading no books besides these, and they will help him focus his interests.

26th April 2005, 05:16 PM	#7
Peter S. Magician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 864	"Now You See It, Now You Don't" by Bill Tarr I wish I had gotten that book as a kid!
	__________________ Wil In Space Wil in the Haunted forest Please vote for Wil In Space HERE

26th April 2005, 10:13 PM	#8
NoZed Avenger Bitter Whiner Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 11,313	Quote: Originally posted by Peter S. "Now You See It, Now You Don't" by Bill Tarr I wish I had gotten that book as a kid! Another good 'un.
	__________________ [This Space Available. PM for Rates.]

26th April 2005, 10:23 PM	#9
Perpetual Notion Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 412	Thanks so much. I picked up the Mark Wilson "Complete Course in Magic" for starters and sent this thread to his dad for other ideas. "Now you see it. Now you Don't." sounds fun. He needs some new ideas because the disappearing salt shaker trick is getting a little old
	__________________ "They're not all locked up." - My skeptical grandmother