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Could anybody direct me to some good resources for magical effects for kids?

Ages between 5 and 12

I have been asked to perform at a few kids parties and need some simple "big" routines that kids can follow?

Thanks

Aza

Multiplying sponge balls, magic colouring book, my kids (3 and 6) love that sort of thing. Cups and balls too - have the final load be sweets/prizes for your "helpers" during the show.
Oh and don't talk down to them!

The above is what works for me

Ooh, sweets as a final load!!

Right I'm off to spend the next year of my life perfecting cups and balls!!

I was going to do some bits with cards but i find kids don't follow much in the way of in depth card routines......

Thanks for the help!!

Much love

Aza

Rope tricks seem to go down well, just be careful with scissors if you're doing any cutting !

The youngest person I ever did the professors nightmare for was about 3, and her reaction was adorable. I only did the first phase of taking 3 ropes of different lengths and making thm the same length but she seemed to understand that this wasn't possible, even if she wasn't sure why.

It was a colleagues daughter so the performance was 1 on 1 and she held the ends of the ropes with me as I stretched them out. I like performing things that closely... Sorry, just musing.

Rope routines are usually easy for kids to understand, and you don't neccessarily have to do any cutting.

I'd also say if you're going to do sponge routines, use something more engaging than balls, like rabbits or bananas or other such sponge props. They get much more out of the added premise than adults.

- Stacy

The youngest person I ever did the professors nightmare for was about 3, and her reaction was adorable. I only did the first phase of taking 3 ropes of different lengths and making thm the same length but she seemed to understand that this wasn't possible, even if she wasn't sure why.

It was a colleagues daughter so the performance was 1 on 1 and she held the ends of the ropes with me as I stretched them out. I like performing things that closely... Sorry, just musing.

Rope routines are usually easy for kids to understand, and you don't neccessarily have to do any cutting.

I'd also say if you're going to do sponge routines, use something more engaging than balls, like rabbits or bananas or other such sponge props. They get much more out of the added premise than adults.

- Stacy

Aza Buy 'Cedric's Kids Routines' by Ian Adair. Practical Magic should have it.It is about £15 and EVERYTHING in the book is useable.
Whilst you are about it, search for 'Trevor Lewis Uncut'- a great book on Children's Magic as well. Shop around for the price.
The 2 books will set you up for many years.
Cedric was a long time very, very successful performer and the bulk of effects in Ian's book, are easily made up & the book comes complete with time tested patter and advice.
I can give you many titles of books and one or two DVDS but ALWAYS the books first.

Cedric's effects were tested over many years on thousands and thousands of children. Likewise Ian Adair used many of them for years.

Allen Tipton

Get the DVD five minutes with a pocket handkerchief by Quentin Reynolds - a sublime routine.

I also find that my balloon swallow and my TT routine get very good reactions.

Anything with a puppet will go down well.

TonyB wrote:Get the DVD five minutes with a pocket handkerchief by Quentin Reynolds - a sublime routine.

I also find that my balloon swallow and my TT routine get very good reactions.

Anything with a puppet will go down well.

That hanky thing is MY bloody routine in the first place. No wonder it's good.

Mark,

Can i 'borrow' parts of your svengali routine?

I love it and have watched it a million times!!

And i'll have to check the hanky routine! - must be good if your name is on it!!

Much love

Aza

Mark, give us the full story! It is a great routine.

So is your letter - I do that to open, then take out the hanky. I get about ten minutes into the show before I have to swallow the balloon. I am twenty minutes into the show before I have to do anything else. Travel light - that's my motto.

I stole the Handkerchief Routine from Martin Gardner and in turn Quentin stole it from me. Originality is not his strong point. And if Aza was more inclined to purchase my book on the svengali deck I would be more inclined to give him permission to use it.

As for the Balloon Swallow Tony knows that I do not approve of it. Kids copy and the results can be disastrous and I believe you can even have a fatality with this kind of thing. Of course I admit to being a paranoic pessimist but children can choke on a broken or uninflated balloon. Over here parents would be tut-tutting merrily away over it. The Irish, on the other hand, would look on children choking as a terribly good method of discipline and won't blink an eyelid over it.

Ok Mark you have a sale!! Expect a book order shortly!!

Much love

Aza

Hi
I just did a show for my 8 year old daughters party and I did TT, rope,sponge & cups and balls. All went really well,especially the cups and balls, but then in my opinion is the best magic trick ever.

Rob

Aza wrote:Could anybody direct me to some good resources for magical effects for kids?

Ages between 5 and 12

I have been asked to perform at a few kids parties and need some simple "big" routines that kids can follow?

Thanks

Aza

The stuff I perform for 5 year olds would be very different for stuff In for 8 year olds, and maybe different again for 12 year olds...Mark Lewis' letter routine works a treat for the younger ones, BUT not for older ones, but older children appreciate a milk pitcher trick more than the younger ones for example