Kids shows
- Thread starter zzzips101
- Start date
Do you do things already that you can adapt to a younger audience and are you looking to build up an entire show or just entertain a couple of young cousins? I use a magic colouring book, hippity-hop rabbits, and a milk pitcher in combination with a dove in which we back a magic cake or cookies and have a few other things to sub in and out depending on time.
The colouring book and hippity-hop rabbits has everyone actively involved wiggling fingers and saying magic words to make the colours appear and every single kids shouting out directions to turn the rabbit around. The dove pan routine I do can have 5 or six kids up front with props in hand depending on the size of the party.
I also do a story telling routine with a hotrod often as my close while the kids snack on the cookies. I have found that this can calm everyone down before handing them back to their parents and the parents really tend to appreciate that.
I think most of the things I did when I first started doing kids show came out of Mark Wilson's book so I would actually recommend that first and additional props after if you don't already own it.
also go grab the free copy of Tarbel this week from the conjuring arts research centre.
The colouring book and hippity-hop rabbits has everyone actively involved wiggling fingers and saying magic words to make the colours appear and every single kids shouting out directions to turn the rabbit around. The dove pan routine I do can have 5 or six kids up front with props in hand depending on the size of the party.
I also do a story telling routine with a hotrod often as my close while the kids snack on the cookies. I have found that this can calm everyone down before handing them back to their parents and the parents really tend to appreciate that.
I think most of the things I did when I first started doing kids show came out of Mark Wilson's book so I would actually recommend that first and additional props after if you don't already own it.
also go grab the free copy of Tarbel this week from the conjuring arts research centre.
thanks alot dude! sorry i havent checked in for awhile but yea i am looking to get a whole show made up. i have the coloring book and the break away wand which i love for kids i also have the appearing 8 ft straw and some other fun stuff but i was more looking for like story telling trick and time consuming tricks that dont loose the kids attention :/
When you use kids show props, well it looks like kids show props. Any adult watching (and some kids too) will think "I could go to the magic shop, but those props and do what he does" - especially if you are narrating the adventures of the props ("and if I put two bunnies in your hand, then...").
Come up with something original.
Come up with something original.
Yes be original but don't write off an entire category of props because they look like they are aimed at kids. Especially if you are working on an act that is aimed at kids. If you do your job right the adults watching are going to be thinking 'those kids are having a great time and that performer is really good at their job'
If the audience is thinking that they could just go pick up a few props and do your act it is more than likely that it is your performance that needs work, not because you have some props that look like they were designed with kids in mind.
If the audience is thinking that they could just go pick up a few props and do your act it is more than likely that it is your performance that needs work, not because you have some props that look like they were designed with kids in mind.
I'm writing those props off because they look like they came from a magic shop, not because they are aimed at kids. Hippty Hoppity Rabbits, Run Rabbit Run and Stratosphere do not look like anything that kids have played with since the 1950s. They just look like something you bought at a magic shop.
I strongly disagree. The adults are thinking, "what a dolt doing that stupid stuff with the kids, he really isn't a magician, but I guess the kids like him."
That line is typically used by children's "entertainers" who rely on self-working magic props and the same hackneyed jokes -"no the clean hand..." Most magicians that use that line think that by getting laughs for acting like a clownaid enough. Those magicians use nice terms like "magician in trouble" or "look don't see" but it is just acting like an idiot. Yeah, kids like it, but why make your magic show the equivalent of a Sponge Bob episode.
Shouldn't you strive to have the adults go, "Wow, he's a really good magician. That's almost like real magic."
To be a good children's magician you need to combine strong presentation and strong magic.
How many people walk out of an illusion show saying -"it was the box, it was a trick box -it has to be.". The same thing with a dove pan. The same for the other magic shop props. It 's the box or it's the bag is usually the correct explanation.
As for presentation, I've seen magic coloring book slaughtered by too many Silly Billly clones and people using say do see patter.
My question for a children's magicians is what is your show about? Typically it is a series of tricks that the magician can do, but the children can't figure out presented by a clown. Why be like everybody else?
I'm just gonna leave this here...
http://www.kidabra.org/
KIDabra International is a place for KIDshow and family performers to grow, learn, network and prosper!
Interestingly the Association which launched in August 2005, grew out of the remarkable KIDabra conference which began in 1992 as The International Festival of Children's Magicians. Our mission with this Association is to carry on the inspiration, enthusiasm and education of KIDabra throughout the year.
And this...
http://www.hasslefreebirthday.com/
Professional children’s entertainer Leif David can transform your child’s birthday party into a magical and memorable occasion that will be remembered for a lifetime! Leif David has been performing for over 19 years for thousands of audiences.
Should help with kid show stuff.
http://www.kidabra.org/
KIDabra International is a place for KIDshow and family performers to grow, learn, network and prosper!
Interestingly the Association which launched in August 2005, grew out of the remarkable KIDabra conference which began in 1992 as The International Festival of Children's Magicians. Our mission with this Association is to carry on the inspiration, enthusiasm and education of KIDabra throughout the year.
And this...
http://www.hasslefreebirthday.com/
Professional children’s entertainer Leif David can transform your child’s birthday party into a magical and memorable occasion that will be remembered for a lifetime! Leif David has been performing for over 19 years for thousands of audiences.
Should help with kid show stuff.
