Making a birthday party magic kit

[Fredrick H.]

SO I have been working on a new magic character that is a full blown wizard. Finally have the outfit done and my show is done. My goal was to make a show feel as far removed from how a magician would perform because after all I am a wizard.

I also will be offering a birthday package that includes a small magic kit for the birthday child. I am curious on what to put in the kit though. I have sponge balls and a mini deck of cards but I want them to learn things that feel more "wizardy" than magician.

It needs to be on the simpler side, Though I do think adding some basic sleight of hand will be necessary but I really don't want loops or IT because I really dont like to use them. SO any thoughts?

 

[Josh Burch]

SO I have been working on a new magic character that is a full blown wizard. Finally have the outfit done and my show is done. My goal was to make a show feel as far removed from how a magician would perform because after all I am a wizard.

I also will be offering a birthday package that includes a small magic kit for the birthday child. I am curious on what to put in the kit though. I have sponge balls and a mini deck of cards but I want them to learn things that feel more "wizardy" than magician.

It needs to be on the simpler side, Though I do think adding some basic sleight of hand will be necessary but I really don't want loops or IT because I really dont like to use them. SO any thoughts?

My reason for not using IT is that it would be exposing too much for my taste. I think that the cups and balls are a good wizardy piece of magic. Any thing coin related could feel wizardy as well in my view.

I tend to look for novelty in magic that I am sharing with random strangers. My rule of thumb is usually, is there someone out there who uses this trick and would they be angry if I taught it to some random birthday kid.

 

[RealityOne]

It depends on the age. For younger kids, do the ball vase, drawer box, pen through coins box, etc. The magic is in the prop and it is pretty much self working. Look at Fantasma's kids magic sets for inspiration.

I love the magic fish. You may have to repackage them though because I think the wrapper has interesting instructions.

Cups and balls and sponge balls are good for older kids, but you need to provide written instructions.

I would avoid a mini-deck. Use a bridge size deck for younger kids. There are a lot of simple self working card tricks you can write up and include with the deck.

 

[Mr.Book]

A wand would be a neat gift, it certainly screams wizardry to me

 

[Fredrick H.]

Thanks for the input everyone. it sound slike I need a good blend of self working magic and a little bit of simple practice magic (i.e. spongeballs, coins, etc).

My reason for not using IT is that it would be exposing too much for my taste. I think that the cups and balls are a good wizardy piece of magic. Any thing coin related could feel wizardry as well in my view.

I tend to look for novelty in magic that I am sharing with random strangers. My rule of thumb is usually, is there someone out there who uses this trick and would they be angry if I taught it to some random birthday kid.

Two good points, I definitely have no desire to use IT for the kit and I don't want to use someone else's effect for the kit either.

I would avoid a mini-deck. Use a bridge size deck for younger kids. There are a lot of simple self working card tricks you can write up and include with the deck.

Good point, I wondered what would better to use between the two, but the bridge size seems more user friendly. I actually plan on making an instructional dvd (maybe a bit over zealous, we'll see) that would include my variations on spongeballs, cup and balls, and some basic coin stuff.

A wand would be a neat gift, it certainly screams wizardry to me

I have been collecting sticks out around my neighborhood on trails and such and have been sanding them down staining them and adding a varnish. They look pretty awesome and "authentic" for little wizards