Thanks.

Thankfully, there is sooo much great information from the working pros around here and on the cafe. I've spent countless hours (to my wife's chagrin) researching what the experts have to say and putting together a character and show.

Then I see someone post on these forums say "someone asked me to do a kids magic show next week and here are the 10 card tricks I'm going to do. Oh, and I've got this really great body mutiliation trick where I saw off my finger!" Yeah, the little tykes are going to love that one!

I've entertained kids in non magical situations for years as well a pulling out the occasional magic trick and I learned it's not as easy as rambling through some card tricks.

I had a show almost completely scripted, practiced and rehearsed before I took a paid gig. I have a kids Christmas party in a few weeks so we'll find out soon if I have prepared enough.

Equal unequal ropes are awsome.
Spongeballs with more than just 4 balls, sponge tooth and assorted colors.
I used to have this thing called a tipsy topsy wand i think made by trixie? (anyone can clarify the name?) That was killer especially the little ones chasing around the piece. Breakaway fan is straight. I lost all of my stuff, my mandarin mirrorbox.
I also had topsy turvy botttles which are great for audience participation.

1- Sponge balls
2- Square circle
3- Axtell's drawing board
4- Various 'trick' wands
5- P&J
6- TT
7- Joker tube
8- No cards
9- fun attitude
10- Patter
It's not the trick, it's the presentation.

I haven't performed a kid show but I put on a little show for my nieces and nephews from time to time. They range in age from 5 to 10. The tricks that have received the biggest reaction are:

1) Your Card is on My Mind
2) Sponge balls since it is done in their hands
3) Sponge rabbits
4) Vanishing Silk with TT

Jim

It is not in the trick, it is in the performer. Performers entertain in many ways. That is good because if everyone performed the same, it would be boring. Spectators have told me "I saw that trick before". But when they see me perform it, they will see a different manner.

If a magician performs a trick in less that 2 minutes, there is no problem as long as the audience is being entertained. Tricks are not stamped with a time limit. If you search You Tube will see some magicians performing a trick in less than 15 seconds, next going to the following trick.

A few of the tricks I use in my kid shows are Misers Dream, Chair Suspension, Dove to Rabbit, Appearing Cage, Linking Rings, Torn and Restored Newspaper and Afraidy Cat Rabbit.