I'm looking to add some new tricks to my show. I use a VERY compact act, as I sometimes do 4-5 shows a day on weekends, so I need some very compact, but hard hitting tricks for kids 4-10.

Any ideas?

What do you already do so we don't repeat? Also, it's not the trick so much it's the presentation. I could tell you cut and restored rope, but that doesn't explain my original routine which is a highlight of my show and really really gets the kids and parents roaring and entertained.

Jim

How about color changing "Compact" discs??? LOL could not resist... ok, so I'm the only one that thinks it's funny, bite me!!

Color changing CD's is a good one though! At least to add some color to the show (if you need that) and is, of course, compact as Calamari points out.

There are a number of effects which advertise that they fold up (as a means to show they are empty or for storage), these would be a good choice, something like a take apart vanish.

something that I used to do that, and for the life of me I could not tell you why, seemed to amaze people - was the circle to square. Inexpensive, packs very very small.

If you're not already doing sponges, that is a good way to go.

Another thought is to call up Hank Lee, Magic Depot or other stores and ask them what they have that packs flat, they will be glad to assist you.

I assume the 4 shows a day on weekends are birthdays, not stage work. Also there is a bige difference between 4 and 10. Card, coin & geek magic work well with older kids. Arm twist & Finger fantasy pack pretty flat *G*. Rope, ring, sponge ball (I like 3D Sponge Rabbits). Linking rings, Axtel boards, pack pretty flat. Misers dream isn't large.

All in all (to save everyone time), the presentation makes or breaks the show. My two current favorites, Axtel board and misers dream both can be performed so that will bore people to tears, or they can rock the house. The nice thing is they work well in a living room or on stage with 400 kids.

Lately I've been doing a very simple paddle trick (one paddle with an x drawn on one side) for all ages. it is only a little in betweener routine that lasts about a minute but adds that magical moment and gets a laught when I get a kid to 'throw' an X onto the stick and it 'hits' me in the eye by mistake.

I can easily pull this off in a hall with 30 - 70 people on the audience and have gone as far as audiences with 70 and above.

John
Are you a SAM4 member? On May 15th I will be competing in our stage competition, so if you vote for me I will teach you my 10 minute routine on May 15th.
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Al

Crystal silk cylinder, coloring book, 20th century silks (make up a story), vanish a cup of water with slush powder (simple, but kids always ask me about it after the show).

Jim

I don't think you can beat a little real sleight of hand to impress kids and adults alike. I'm putting more hand magic in my kid shows and getting great response. Not formal manipulation done to music, but pulling a coin from the helpers ear before going into the main trick kind of thing. I've also added a little thimble manipulation, I'm also doing salt passe passe and a bill switch with our old friend the TT. The middle-school kids who usually act too cool to like magic are especially impressed, and I think the appeal of hand magic is universal and appreciated in this day and age when people see so little live magic.
Marc the Magic Man

What's Next is great, and packs flat. You can also get lots of mileage out of a change bag. The Pom Pom stick is great, too.

Some classics before.

My vote is for silk effects and you gotta love those sponge balls.

Oh, Rocky Raccoon plays wells to the younger ones - 'specially if you have a few lines, ham it up, get real silly with squeakers and such and do something like have him jump through a ring.

In fact, with a real young set you could almost do an act around him - I'm sure someone has...

Best Wishes,


Kevin Mc Lean.

Two effects that I have received good response from are Cue Card by Brad Manuel and Dinamo Spot Card from Nielsen Magic. The first is an excellent opener for your warm up activities and the second goes well with a great rhyming routine that's available from Vancouver magician Matthew Johnson.

I agree with JamesinLA, "it's the presentation". I could do a wide variety of magic with a piece of rope that can entertain kids for a solid half hour. Yeah, a four foot piece of rope in the pocket is all I need.

Spotty / Measles Bag
Pet Store Pranks / Wing It
Silk Blow Tube
Tail Spin

Check out Sammy Smith's site @ http://www.spsmagic.com He offers many good packs flat effects.

Fearless Fred

http://www.timsonefelt.com/cgi-bin/magic_store/cp-app.cgi

Egg Bag, miser's dream, Knots Funny ........... almost no set up time, and each one is worth from 5 to 8 minutes of fun.
Although it's not magic, don't overlook 'The Letter'.

I tend to be a packs light type of guy, maybe not so flat which I feel really gives me many more options. I don't mind bringing in Bigger Wands when the whole thing maybe weighs 2 pounds. Kandu's Knot Funny, sure it's a box but, again, very light. My misers dream weighs as much as either of these props. Sammy Smith's (and all those he borrowed from) Puff the Magic Rabbit is great for the little one's and adults watching them. Not for the smallest but needle through the balloon can be tons of fun. With small intimate groups, you can't beat sponge bunnies/balls and the egg bag is fantastic. There is an entire show that weighs less than 10 lbs. Your tables will weigh more.

Good luck,

Derrick

Darl's acrobatic knot

Another pack flat item is the Chameleon Bag or the inside out bag which can be turned inside out 7 times. Mine has a zippered pocket and its nice to keep a surprise in the last cloth section like a small sized rubber chicken and you can have another surprise the zippered compartment.

A nice colorful and compact trick is a silk fountain to large peacock (or what ever you have.) People love to watch that. Plays big packs small.