Free
20 mins
Ages 6+
Vanishing coin trick
Take a coin in one hand and, poof, it's gone. The classic first magic trick, learned in ten minutes.
Crafts and slime
Jumping rubber band trick
Put a rubber band around two fingers, make a fist, and when you open your hand the band magically jumps across to your other two fingers. It takes five minutes to learn and looks amazing up close.
Ages6+
Time15 mins
CostFree
MessLow mess
WhereIn or out
What you need
Don't flick rubber bands at faces, and keep them away from babies and toddlers.
Let's go
Put the rubber band around the bottom of your first and middle fingers. Show your audience, front and back.
Turn your palm to face you and start to close your hand into a fist.
As you close it, use your other hand to stretch the band out and slip the tips of all four fingers inside it. From the back, the audience can still only see the band round two fingers.
Hold your fist up, say your magic word and give it a little shake.
Open your fingers quickly and straighten them. The band jumps over to your ring finger and little finger.
Close your fist again the same way and it will jump back.
Real talk
- Practise until you can slip your fingers in without looking down.
- For a harder version, twist a second band around your fingertips to "lock" them. It still jumps!
- Ask someone to hold your fingertips before you open your hand. The band still escapes.
Ready for the stage?
Kids' theatre and circus skills workshops are a great day out for little show-offs.
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