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My nephew (and his classmates) are currently learning about Harry Houdini in their 3rd grade class. I've been asked to come in and do a little show for them, as well as possibly talk a bit about Houdini (I know some stuff, not tons - but enough cool tidbits to keep them interested).

However, aside from those things, I was thinking that perhaps I could teach them a trick as a sort of gift. I have shown my nephew one or two things, as he is a big fan of magic. I thought it might be kind of cool to do this for his classmates, as well.

Naturally, there's an exposure problem here - but if I purchased the effect myself, I feel that's perfectly ethical. So my question is - what can I pick up that is a cool little piece of magic, that I can show a group of 3rd graders, that they can learn with relative ease?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I personally don't see any problems with this or the exposure issue. Afterall, we all start somewhere.

I would say that what you teach will be dependant on how much time you have before their performance.

On the magic theme I would perhaps consider some spongeball magic

I'm English and have no idea what age a '3rd Grader' is, but I got the Buddha Money Mystery for my youngest (eight) to perform for his mother on Mother's Day. It's an oldie, but a goodie - genuinely magical when you first see it. Also, it cost only £3 (I was going to make it myself for him, but buying it turned out cheaper than buying the paper to do that).
http://kidshowmagic.co.uk/product_info. ... cb60130490
Make sure you get a 'four sheeter' (as that one is) rather than a three-sheeter. It's just better. Anyway: dirt cheap, a good effect (he changed five pennies into a five pound note), dead easy to perform, and - as it happens - doesn't reveal any broad magical secrets.

demitri you could try something they could make themselves thus covering the arts and crafts thing too.

my favourate thing to teach them is the flapper board which goes like this.

you show an a4 card that says aplause please you turn it over and it says a little louder thanxs, you then turn it back to the front were it nows says too loud !.

pm me if you need details, educational artistic and covers physics and maths too.

Just had a look around the Web. In case you aren't familiar with the Buddha trick, you can watch a vid of it here:
http://www.penguinmagic.com/europe/product.php?ID=266

Buddha is a great effect - I'll be sure to keep that in mind for the performance section.

I had an idea pop into my head. Let me toss it around and see what everyone thinks.

What if I taught them the Princess Card Trick? It's old - COMPLETELY overused and cliched - so it's not revealing a big deep secret.

But what it is for children - is pretty powerful. At least I think so. It's easy to learn. And, since we're not looking for Bicycle quality - another thought came to mind.

In a shameless act of self-promotion, I can print the cards myself, and have my contact information on the backs!

I'm interested in hearing what others think. These kids are all 8-9 years old - so I don't think the mechanics and method of the Princess trick are beyond their ability. It's a strong piece of magic and something they can do as soon as they get home.

To ensure that I am fair, I can give a handout that teaches the performance, as well as write up some history of the effect, and try to give credit to the originators.

What do you think?

Demitri wrote:a shameless act of self-promotion

I didn't realise that such things were in the American vocabulary.

Arf.

Seriously, though, I think it's fine. Even if the Princess trick is well-known, it's well-known is a groovy to an eight-year-old way - 'This is a trick that David Blaine did.' It'll probably make them feel special; it's not at all being palmed off (excuse any pun aspect) with a 'kiddie trick'. And the self-promotion will quite probably been seen in the same way. I feel awful and self-conscious and embarrassed when I sign books, but I love to have signed books from other authors. Moreover, when an author visited my eldest's school the other week and sold sign copies of his novel, Eldest didn't think, 'Pah - he's coining it in.' He thought, 'Coo. I've met the author and got a signed copy of his book.' They'll be very happy about it, I'm sure.

When introducing small kids to magic, I like Stop Light Cards. IIt's simple and a simple patter can be developed or remembered. I think it teaches them the impact comes from presentation.

I taught my seven year old daughter the trick. We practiced the patter and now when she approaches people to show a trick they initially smile politely, but by the time she's done, they looked puzzed and say "How did you do that?!" Then they approach me, "Seriously, how did she do that?"

She absolutely loves it.

whatever you do make it simple. I have done similar in a school & some kids pick things up quickly & some don't. If you 'lose' any of them they may disrupt the rest.

I would suggest 1 or 2 simple self-working mathematical card forces which you can then build into a trick/presentation (maybe a mindread or prediction etc.). Obviously ask them all to bring in a pack of cards with them.

Present the entire trick first then tell them the method then show them breaking it down stage by stage then get them to do it.

How long have you got ? Just doing the above could take 20 minutes !

Maybe you'll want to consider a simple rubber band effect. Gee they got tons of those in schools and can be quite easy to learn...