Magic for Dads & Kids

by Brian McGovern

Searching for a fascinating hobby that you can share with your child? Looking for a hobby that can help your child develop social skills and may promote a strong desire to read?

The hobby of magic can do wonders to promote an outgoing personality even among the shyest children. When a child learns how to impress other kids with amazing magic it gives them more self-confidence.

As your child's desire to master magic grows you'll be happy to find that he or she will be eager to read books and magazines about the topic. There's always more to learn.

The art of magic is a perfect hobby to share with kids.   Children are fascinated by magic and any father who can do a few cool tricks is one cool dad indeed. Here's a stunt that will amaze and amuse that doesn't take a lot of practice.

The French Drop

Here's an easy bit of sleight of hand that you can use to vanish coins, balls or other small items. Give this a little practice and you'll be able to make things disappear and reappear like magic.

Hold the object between your thumb and index finger of your palm up left hand. Move your palm down right hand towards the object. You're going to move your right thumb right underneath the object. (see youtube video here)

You're going to pretend to take the object into your right hand. What really happens is you let the object fall into the palm of your left hand. Let the object fall into your hand just as you pretend to take it away. Practice doing this in a mirror to make sure that no one can see the object in your palm.

Hold your right hand as if it really contains the object. If you're pretending to hold a ping-pong ball make sure your hand is not held flat. Let your fingers bulge as if they   really held the ball. Stare at the right hand with intensity. All your focus must be on the hand that allegedly contains an object. Your audience will naturally look in the same direction as you do so don't peek at your left hand.

Move your right hands up and down as you wiggle your thumb and fingers. While your audience is distracted by this motion let your left hand drop to your side. Make a slow tossing motion with your right hand and pretend to follow the object as it vanishes in mid air.

Pause for a beat and reproduce the object from your pocket or from behind someone's ear or even your nose. Practice this stunt in the mirror for a few minutes and you've got a trick you can use when ever you want to create a bit of fun.

Magic kits make a great birthday gift. Be sure the tricks it contains are appropriate for the age of your child. Encourage your child to practice and rehearse before they try to trick their friends.

Give it a try! You may really enjoy taking your child to magic shows, visiting magic shops and even attending conventions and lectures sponsored by local magic clubs.

Hijinx is a professional magician in New York.