Hi, I've done some searches but haven't been able to come up with a satisfactory answer to my question:

"what is the best rope routine to perform for kids?"

Major criteria for myself:

1. Must work great for kids ages 5-9.
2. Must not involve scissors ( I don't want to promote playing with sharp objects in my show in any way and cut and restored rope is just no fun for me without a huge, gleaming set of shears)
3. Must fit into a 2-4 minute window.
4. Must not only amaze, but must generate laughs as well.

I mastered and performed Daryls rope routine and that seems to get the best response so far from my kids and their friends, but there is simply no comedy involved. They don't laugh hardly at all. Fiberoptics was the worst routine I tried. They just didn't seem to "get it" at all and the simple professors nightmare/professors daydream by itself wasn't flashy enough.

Again, I'm looking for a good routine with room for comedy bits and sucker moments that's not too short or not too long and plays great for kids 5-9 (I figure that kids older than that will appreciate Daryls routine or Richard Sanders routine more).

I would appreciate any help or book/dvd suggestions in this department. Thanks a million guys and dolls.

My personal opinion on best rope routine for kids is Kandu's knot funny, the problem is with all the bits and comedy it can easily last over 7 min. But if time allows it would certainly be worth looking into.

Jack
I have had a lot of success with "Fiber Optics". It is a routine that you can custom make to a short, or a long performance, and I've had little boys swoon over it for me. I also do the Dennis Loomis "Knot routine plus" it requires some time to learn, but just like "Fiber Optics" little kids really get it simply because it is real magic right before your eyes. I don't want to be critical of you but you just might be underestimating your audience.
Good Luck
Al

"Knot Funny" is a terrific routine, but I find it tends to play young because it's all about the adult goofing up...so that appeals to younger kids.

You may want to have two routines...one for younger kids and one for older kids...it could be the same routine, just played differently. But the 7 to 9s will be entertained differently than the 4, 5 and 6s.

A good "adult goofs up" routine is John Zander's "Loose Ends."

Ditto....great routine.

Pavel's Walking Knot is what I use for my kid shows. It's very visible and I do it with music as a silent act.

Hi magicJack.
A scissors can be used for small children as a safety issue.
I tell the children that my scissors is a safety one without a point.
Children use scissors at school. They cut paper to make things to decorate whatever project they are working on.
As for the rope routine, any rope trick can be funny and hilarious for children. It depends on the presentation.
Tricky Ricky

I would agree with Richard. Using scissors in a children's routine is okay. There are a number of things I would not use: fire, toy guns, etc...., but a pair of scissors is something that they have probably already used in their lives. Saying that, consider the different types of cut and no cut scissors for kids.

All the best,

Rob

I get what you guys are saying Richard and Rob, but I just can't seem to get into the cut and restored routine unless I am using my huge metal shears. I tried it once with a pair of safety scissors but it just didn't seem to go over nearly as well.

Linking Ropes and Professor Nightmare.
Thanks,
Hansel!

It's not about the trick, it's about the presentation.

You can do ANY rope routine for kids and it will either bomb or be fantastic purely on how you engage and entertain the children.

Jack
I bought a fine pair of scissors at Joann fabrics I took them to the knife sharpener, and he ground the point down for me. I now have a sharp professional taylors scissors with a rounded point.

Al, I don't know if there are any knife sharpeners around here. Is there somewhere else I can take it to have the same thing done? Because that sounds like a great idea.

The stiff rope can be a lot of fun. Using it in with story or even comedy it can last as long as 2-4 mins or even more.

Jack
You have got to have a knife sharpening service in your yellow pages. All restaurants use knife sharpening services regularly. Or you can just send me your scissors and I'll take them to the guy down the street from me, it should cost about $2.

As to grinding off the points of the scissors... great idea Al. If you can't find a key sharpening establishment, any machine shop or even a well equipped wood working shop should have a bench grinder they can use to do the job.

Dennis Loomis

Dennis
Good to talk to you my friend. The reason why I ground down the points of my scissors is the "Vishnu Rope Mystery" which requires you dig the points of the scissors into your hand, a trick that I performed at a local magic competition.

Hi Al,

Grinding down the tips does sound like a good compromise.

I also buy my scissors from fabric shops and look for the good quality ones. They cut through the rope with no hassle. I have about 6 pairs so that there is always one going out the door with me to a show.

Rob

Rob
Just between you and me I'd do anything to see you, or Tricky Ricky perform. I love anything Canadian.

Hey Al,

That's really kind of you to say.

There is something very big in the works for this summer (mid to late August). I'm not at liberty to say, because it's not me setting it up. If it comes together, I will definitely pass along an invite. I think it is something that you and a lot of other magicians may enjoy.

Sorry to be so cryptic, I usually am not good with secrets

Rob