talkmagic.co.uk

My son is very keen..the only ones ive come across are on video jug which are simple enough. He is nearly 9 - any ideas?

yes, dont have him learn tricks from the internet. often the instructions are far from accurate, and they can be a bit vauge.

I would take a look at buying a copy of teh mark wilson cource in magic. a Big book, that contains just about anything you could possibly want as a beginner. And its often avalable at a very low price in book shops.

also, if you take a look at Amazon, there are several very good dvds out nowadays for the beginner.

often, they will tie in with a kids show off the television, but the simple magic on them, is all good stuff.

as for on line advice, http://magic.about.com/od/beginningmagi ... nmagic.htm offers both simple magic, and advice to the beginner.

and, its free.

I hope that this info is usefull.

Dale

what about a nice simple magic set? You get everything that you need to get going, easy to follow instructions and they're fun.

Or you could even try your local library they usually have some great magic book's for children there.

the best children's magic book I've come across (which shouldn't be overlooked by adults either) is Peter Eldin's Pocket Book of Magic (also known as the Magic Handbook, and is available for the princely sum of 32p on Amazon. I got it when I was 10, it's brilliant, like a mini-Mark Wilson. It hasn't got the depth of Mark Wilson, but the tricks are all first class (Unequal/Equal Ropes, Clippo, Cups & Balls, Afgan Bands, Squared Circle Production, Paddles, Coin moves, good selection of card tricks) there's even a few build your own illusions at the end, and a good selection of colour re-prints of famous magic posters, and lots of information on famous magicians (Houdini, Chung Ling Soo, Robert Houdin, David Copperfield etc.)

It also teaches you a bit about putting a show together, routining, advertising, joining a magic society etc, which very few beginners books bother with.

I would highly recommend it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Handbook- ... 36&sr=8-27

Hi Paperswitch

Dale Shrimpton's advice is spot on and I too would recomend that the best source of learning is either books or through buying a decent magic set.

Your location may influence a little what you are able to buy but if you're in the UK and want a magic set, then try looking at anything that's in the Marvin's Magic range. This wil get you going and see if it's something that your son is suited to.

Good luck.

slightly off topic, but there used to be a collection of magic sets with the Houdini brand, can't remember the manufacturer, but the boxes were largely black with a ghoulish green coloured picture of Houdini on the front. The props were pretty good, and the range quite diverse. I learned quite a lot from them. They even had a large magic set with a big plastic top hat, which I still use during a children's routine to this day.

Ahh, memories...

9 Is a good age, but I really would not bother with a magic kit, usually you just get junk. I would get Mark Wilson's book, along with that I would get some cups and balls, the 3.00 plastic adams set works great, some rope, sponge balls and a deck of cards a few coins and the two of you will work it out. Once you figure out what he really likes concentrate on that area. (don't forget the easy home made illusions at the end of the book)

Also any of the Bill Tar books, some sleights but so easy to follow.
Magic with Every Day objects by George Schindler
Henry Hays book on magic. It is older but its amazing how many people got started with that book.

The SAM has a great book, I forget the name of it but it is specifically for the youth chapter of the SAM not sure if it is still available and not sure if you have to belong to the SAM.

It’s an interesting topic as I will be getting some magic stuff from my lads 11th birthday.
I have decided on a magic set as MW book is a bit too much on the black and white side where as a magic set is full of fun and colours.

Though, as bmat said, magic sets seem to have alot of rubbish, I saw a magic set in Woolworths that I was considering buying for my nephew. It was a version up from their 'tacky rubbish' version, with better quality tricks.
Off my head I can remember it having; linking rings, cups and balls, TT and there was lots more. (Plus it was reduced!)

A little off topic, my nephew is 5, and loves to watch me perform magic (mainly sponge balls and the linking rings). He also likes to try do it himself (though his hands are a little small for the sponge balls and unable to work my linking ring set.) Do you think this is too young to start teaching him?

I agree that what you get in a magic set is often pretty rubbish but it'll get them started and you usually get quite a lot of tricks for not too much money. All in all, I think that they're usually great value for money.

magikmax wrote:slightly off topic, but there used to be a collection of magic sets with the Houdini brand, can't remember the manufacturer, but the boxes were largely black with a ghoulish green coloured picture of Houdini on the front. The props were pretty good, and the range quite diverse. I learned quite a lot from them. They even had a large magic set with a big plastic top hat, which I still use during a children's routine to this day.

Ahh, memories...

I have one in my collection.

wollies have a really nice hanky pankie set at the moment, that has a couple of nice things in it, including a good quality mirror glass, and teh siberian chain release. its around 12 quid.

Funny... I was going to say Penguin or E... ton's of 40 year old children can be found there.

Craig Browning wrote:Penguin or E... ton's of 40 year old children can be found there.

Reading that, I just spat coffee over my keyboard!!!

If you would not like to buy your son various magic DVDs etc because you do not think he has a big enough intrest to fork out on loads items like that then I suggest you get him to visit (Link deleted by Mods - please check forum policy on these sort of sites)