Most card tricks I show to kids... they just don't get it. Do you have any that.. work? Haha unless it's very visual they just usually sit there like what happened. So, I avoid card tricks usually.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Aug 25, 2008 at 6:45 PM
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timdavid
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That's a good rule of thumb...when in doubt about whether a card trick is appropriate for kids it's best to avoid it. Actually, that's a pretty good rule of thumb for all kinds of tricks...not just card tricks.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Aug 30, 2008 at 2:19 PM
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docbrand
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My children and their friends get the Ambitious Card trick since it's very visual and the same card appears in different places in the deck. My children are between ages 6-10 (as are their friends).
"I hold a doctrine to which I owe much, indeed, but all the little I ever had, namely, that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance all things are attainable." - T.F. Buxton
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Aug 30, 2008 at 8:28 PM
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Shapeshifter
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Ambitious card works great, having their card turn over in the deck ("against your will", simple transpositions, and a color change are basically the only card tricks I do for little ones.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Aug 31, 2008 at 12:03 PM
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docbrand
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Ya it helps too that they only have to remember one card and they see it a lot through out the routine.
I also thought that I'd mention that torn and restored card tricks are a good trick to do for kids too since it's also highly visual.
"I hold a doctrine to which I owe much, indeed, but all the little I ever had, namely, that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance all things are attainable." - T.F. Buxton
I suggest performing Coin Matrix to the kids as its highly visual when the coin "teleports" to the other hand . I once perform the Coin Matrix for the kids, and they really like it so much.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 1, 2008 at 8:45 PM
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colelamothe
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me usually i keep to the simple tricks like salt shaker through table which gets most of the parents as well but coin tricks dissapearing and such but card tricks just random upside down cards they picked just super visual tricks that they can follow well
Card tricks dont work for kids exactly, but certain card tricks like card vanish or card switching might be a useful tricks for kids but i did not try that. The best i can think of is coin tricks. Its easy and highly visual. Another thing is, please dont perform those like screwdriver thru neck please, although it is very highly visual, it will freak their minds out!!
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 2, 2008 at 2:55 PM
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adamomagus
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The screwdriver through neck is not only going to freak them out, but kids are... well... sort of like monkeys, if you've heard the saying "Monkey see, monkey do." If you shove a screwdriver through their neck, some kids will want to try... not a good idea.
I like spongeball, rope, and coin magic for kids.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
Lol, I would disagree that children are like monkeys. Though I wouldn't suggest doing any tricks with an element of danger built into them. For example, a russian roulette routine would not only be a bad choice for entertaining children, it would also prompt some of them to try it themselves. I've seen kids do exactly what they think I did during a card trick, in hopes that It would work.
"To those who question whether clarity is all that important, I can only say that it is the most important quality in the making of a film" - François Truffaut
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 11, 2008 at 5:32 PM
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adamomagus
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Heh, I've seen kids do that too, hakuzosu. One girl did EXACTLY what she saw me do, which was completely out of the question, considering it took advanced sleights. She had me pick a card, return it to the middle, name a number, and dealt cards face up on the table. Of course my card was not there. Quite humorous.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
Yes, which illustrates the fact that you DON'T want to ever do any trick with the slightest bit of danger in it for children. For example, I have a card trick where you locate two cards by stabbing a knife through the deck, though since it requires you to be holding the deck, it isn't a very good idea to perform this for children.
"To those who question whether clarity is all that important, I can only say that it is the most important quality in the making of a film" - François Truffaut
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 15, 2008 at 9:11 PM
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Maxpayne
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That would be great if you can perform something visual. I highly encourage you to pick up some visual stage magic tricks such as balloon to bird,spongeball,number change,candy through glass. Do not ever show something impposible like fire magic and dangerous move...they might follow what you did at home. Entertain them give them the right concept of mindset.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 16, 2008 at 1:59 AM
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docbrand
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I'd just like to comment real fast on the "follow what you do at home" part of your comment. I understand what you mean here but I do have to say that no matter what you do, kids especially, will copy what they see regardless of what you do and it can be dangerous even if the trick itself isn't dangerous.
The reason I bring this up is because I believe that if you instill a POSITIVE influence on your crowd, no matter your age, you will leave them with a sense of who you are and your ability to perform. If the crowd respects what you do your chances are slimmer of this occurring.
"I hold a doctrine to which I owe much, indeed, but all the little I ever had, namely, that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance all things are attainable." - T.F. Buxton
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Sep 16, 2008 at 9:29 AM
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Maxpayne
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hmmm...right. I use to perform for teenage or family. For kids,sometimes i rather shape the balloon into a dog and let them play with it. Though that wasn't magic,but they like it very much. The 1st time i do some simple trick-coin vanish and they don't get it.
Last edited on Sep 16, 2008 at 9:32 AM by Maxpayne.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Oct 15, 2008 at 12:42 AM
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timdavid
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I still perform about 5-10 shows for kids every single month. (I used to do between 20-40 kid shows every month for several years).
Needless to say, I can't fit all of my advice here, but I will say that the age of the child matters VERY much. The "rules" and guidelines for successful children's entertainment are significantly different if the child is 3 than if the child is 6.
And of course, many times the audience will be a mix of different age groups.
I perform different styles for 3-5 year-olds, 6-8 year-olds, 9-13, 14-17, 18-25, and 26 and up. That's basically how I break it down in my mind...give or take.
I can't think of any way to learn YOUR personal age group and performance-style breakdowns other than real world experience.
But for the young kids (8 and under) you must, must, must, MUST make them the stars of the show. And I'm not just talking about using audience participation. ALWAYS let them get the better of you, the magician. ALWAYS let them outsmart you. And ALWAYS make them look good.
I never do sucker tricks and I never fool the kids without also "fooling" myself.
The kids totally see the magic coming. But it's a surprise for me. Every single time.
And they think it's hysterical, amazing, and SOOOO fun. And that's the way it should be.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Oct 15, 2008 at 12:47 AM
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timdavid
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P.S. Now to answer the actual question...I think card to mouth and the invisible deck can be presented well for kids...but again, ALWAYS be careful about encouraging kids to put stuff into their mouths. You don't want them to copy you and get sick because of it, or God forbid, choke on something!
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Jan 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
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mauc708
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to start welcome to the forum mauc708 im sure youll find alot of useful information from the other users on here. but i really like simple rope tricks one i love is rope through neck, and even if they do it themselves the worst their gonna do is have the rope hit the back of their neck.
Re: Will Card Tricks Work?
Posted On Jan 1, 2009 at 7:13 PM
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adamomagus
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Yes, welcome Mauc708. Always glad to have more magic enthusiasts at the forums. Cole, the version I know is where you tie it around your neck and pull it through... this could be perceived as dangerous for kids to mimic but there are many rope tricks that are very effective for children.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
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, simple transpositions, and a color change are basically the only card tricks I do for little ones.
but coin tricks dissapearing and such but card tricks just random upside down cards they picked just super visual tricks that they can follow well
Quite humorous.
