Magicians for Kids

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Comment by Phineas Spellbinder on September 11, 2009 at 7:15pm

Wiz Kid Ee-Gee-Fiki recently released his "Bye,Bye Bunny!" routine that actually uses a very realistic rabbit puppet. It's in The Wizards' Journal #18 on my site and includes plans for building Bunny Production Post Boxes, as well as two types of Carrier Cage Vanishes; one built from wood, and one converted from a commercial canvas Pet Carrier.

Comment by Phil Tawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:31pm

Hi Guy,
This happens to be my latest favorite. I call the birthday kid up for this one.
I say, "so and so does magic on the side,did you guys know that?"
Sometimes the kid plays along and sometimes they look confused but you can usually get this one in. "you didn't? Well,neither did he/she."
Then I tell them(we will call him Joe here.)
I use a switch can but a change bag or anything similar.
I have Joe reach in and grab the silk." Hold it up Joe, and say see the pretty thing." You can have fun with this if it leads there which it usually does. The kid has trouble saying it with a straight face.
I tell the kids that Joe is going to change it to whatever color they want.
I have Joe put the silk in the device and shake it up.
When he reaches in it's gone.
"Oh no Joe,you invisibled it!","well that's o.k. we will just change it around a little. You invisibled the hank but I just so happen to have my invisible balloon."
If the kid doesn't pretend on his own to have the silk I will reach in and hold it between my thumb and forefinger,(mime it) and hand it to him.
I get the invisible balloon out of the stand and have Joe step back as I also do.
" O.K. Joe, throw it on 3. " When Joe throws it I look up and start running towards him to catch the invisible hank as it floats down.
I then hand it back to him and tell him it is a Hank and it floats so he will have to throw it a little harder. "O.K. try again" This time as he throws it you hold balloon as if to catch it and at the same time say real fast and exited."Boom there it is you guys see it?" The kids look at you like you have rocks in your head. After a little fun you say,"Of course you can't see it Joe invisibled it!." Then you start shaking the balloon and say,"But Joe and I know if we shake it up like this the molecules will heat up and stick together." as you say together let it go and keep shaking so the silk fluffs up. Hand it to Joe as a take home.
I always have 2 balloons set in a stand behind my screen just in case one gets a pin hole in it,you can still do it. The biggest question I get from the kids is that it is not the color Joe was changing it to. You tell them you know but remember he invisibled it .

Comment by Guy Copland on May 5, 2009 at 8:43pm

Hey Phil.... when i do a production into a balloon, I usually do a combo effect. This can be done close-up or on stage. Start out with a deflated balloon used for Needle thru Balloon. Blow it up. Take a Sponge Ball, and push it through the side of the blown up and tied balloon. Then follow up with Needle thru Balloon popping it at the end to release the Sponge Ball. I don't do this for kid shows though as I don't like to promote handling or playing with needles no matter what size. I even do a safety disclaimer explaining not to play with scissors when I use scissors in kid shows.

Comment by Phil Tawa on May 5, 2009 at 6:43pm

Even better idea.
I agree it is easy money compared to other things I have done for a living.
Do you do silk in balloon?

Comment by Guy Copland on May 5, 2009 at 11:47am

I specialize in kid shows (over 35 years) and think they are the easiest to perform for. Sure, some of them are a little obnoxious, but you if can master holding their attention and keep them verbally involved it's the fastest easiest money out there. I do a 35-45 minute kid show, and never have a problem holding their attention. The key is keepeing it interactive through out!

PROMO: The coloring page is always a good standard, but if you want to take it to the next level, you print black on the ends of the other side too so that when you roll it up it looks like a magic wand. Rubberband them and hand them out in the masses. For a data base, I also print a mailing address and ask basic info on it so they can send it in to try and win a free magic show. Now you have a b-day date and contact info so you can call them to pitch a show!

Comment by Phil Tawa on May 4, 2009 at 9:22pm

I was chatting with Rohan last night and he told me of a good idea for promo. After the coloring book or frame he gives the kids a picture to color with all his info on the back. Want to comment on some promo that you do?

Comment by Rohan Jayasekera on December 30, 2008 at 12:11pm

Performing for kids is the most difficult type of audience one can handle.
If you are able to keep them under your spell for half an hour, you got to be a great Magician.

Comment by Javier (Mr. Wiz) on September 1, 2008 at 6:06pm

I specialize in magic shows for kids. I am located in North Florida. Looking to meet people that perform magic for kids and also other people that might be near me.