Suitable tricks for children?

[Philipp S.(4)]

Hey folks,

today I got the confirmation that I will be performing for a children's hostpital voluntarily. So I have all the time that I want and no pressure. So what would you think are some suitable tricks for children? For small kids 3-10 I would do this routine (Pocketmiser's Dream/Coin behind ear), a self-coloring comic book, a vanishing napkin, the EGG BAG ( I have to get that one), a coin bend. For teens (10-18) I would do some magic like iBalance, something they can relate more to. What do you think about this classification of children and are my tricks suitable?
Cheers
Philipp

 

[JudahMagic]

i also would like to tag along with this thread as i am going to be performing for kids ages 3-6 and dont know what to do.

 

[RealityOne]

1. Let me dispel a common misperception - tricks are NOT for kids. I'll let you figure out what I mean.

2. There is a big difference between a 3 year old and a 10 year old. There also is a big difference between a 10 year old and a 18 year old. Heck, there is a big difference between an 8 year old and a 10 year old.

3. Kids are not an easy group to perform for. They will heckle you to death if you don't know what you are doing.

4. Be aware of limitations in hospitals - you need effects where the spectators don't touch the props.

5. The search function will finds lots of posts on children's magic by me and Rick. Read them.

6. Show me you've done some research and I'd be glad to help you. Bonus points if you can explain what I mean my point #1.

 

[Randy]

Well you CAN do magic where they touch the props, you will just have to throw it away afterwards. But if you are going to do magic at Children's Hospitals than things like Rubber band magic, and silk magic would work just fine.

 

[RickEverhart]

As David has mentioned, he and I have posted way too much info on this topic all ready to keep retyping things. Please use the search function on children's magic, kid's magic, entertaining kids, etc. and you should find plenty.

Also, I am not positive, but some hospitals do require a background check before you step foot into rooms to entertain. You may want to find out prior to arriving. Fire is a big no no and as mentioned....anything the children in the hospital hold / touch cannot be used on the next child's room for fear of infection. You might be doing a lot of magic in your own hands.

 

[Randy]

If you do want to do card magic and things in peoples hands. Then doing volunteer work for a church would be just fine or even just performing at a few local senior centers (the ones where they do activities like BINGO and other active things.).

 

[William Draven]

I've done a few hospital gigs. Some magic to avoid:

NO FIRE!!!! No flashpaper, no flaming wallet, no fire production, spark production of ANY kind.
Don't do tricks that produce candy as a give away. Not all kids can accept candy.

You'll want to keep things fairly visible, and out of their hands as much as possible. Reset time may be nil so choose effects that have a quick reset to them.

Also yes search out anything from R1 and Rick on this subject. They know how to do kid shows. Very informative their past posts have been.

 

[Justin.Morris]

I used to do a nice little flower production (I don't remember who gave me the idea!). I used little daises from the dollar store (the stem about as long as my pinky and the flower was about the size of my nail). I would do a simple silk vanish to a TT and sleight a flower into the fist. It was a really nice give away.