Performance Suggestions

Mark · 04-24-2013, 05:40 PM

Actually, 8/9 year olds aren't too bad. Anything younger than that belongs to the ages that either just don't get it, or who are far too honest. At ages 7/8, this changes. It is for that, that eight is actually the youngest I agree to perform for, and have agreed with in the past.

Any interactive and easily understandable magic works. In case of doing card magic, you might actually want to go with pictures instead of suits. For instance, when doing a 'Three Card Monte', it is better to have them follow a rabbit instead of a queen of hearts/money card (and then you could for instance have tophats on the other two cards and end with a kicker of there only being tophats and the rabbit appearing in an actual hat which stands nearby or which you happen to wear, or the rabbit coming out of a hat on the cards, etc. Just some ideas coming from the top of my hat.. err.. head).

Tricks involving money usually work for such ages too, like a 'Miser's Dream' or a coin routine that ends with a jumbo coin (you can just hear the kids say "Woooooow" already, can't ya?).

Also tricks involving things that kids of such ages are supposed to know/have learned at school, help a lot. That way you have total control over the act, e.g. by making them look smart and yourself look dumb without actually making it too childish from their perspective.

Hope that helps.

04-24-2013, 05:40 PM	#4
Mark Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 935	Actually, 8/9 year olds aren't too bad. Anything younger than that belongs to the ages that either just don't get it, or who are far too honest. At ages 7/8, this changes. It is for that, that eight is actually the youngest I agree to perform for, and have agreed with in the past. Any interactive and easily understandable magic works. In case of doing card magic, you might actually want to go with pictures instead of suits. For instance, when doing a 'Three Card Monte', it is better to have them follow a rabbit instead of a queen of hearts/money card (and then you could for instance have tophats on the other two cards and end with a kicker of there only being tophats and the rabbit appearing in an actual hat which stands nearby or which you happen to wear, or the rabbit coming out of a hat on the cards, etc. Just some ideas coming from the top of my hat.. err.. head). Tricks involving money usually work for such ages too, like a 'Miser's Dream' or a coin routine that ends with a jumbo coin (you can just hear the kids say "Woooooow" already, can't ya?). Also tricks involving things that kids of such ages are supposed to know/have learned at school, help a lot. That way you have total control over the act, e.g. by making them look smart and yourself look dumb without actually making it too childish from their perspective. Hope that helps.