Walk-around for children

[Wateraqua]

Hi! I'm 16 and in a few weeks I'm going to with my class host a disco for children in my school. I do card magic and I was thinking that I could do some walk around when they are standing in line to get in, just talk to them, entertain them and do some card magic. There will be 50 - 200, 8 - 10 years old children.

What are some good tricks to do with cards? I plan on doing an ambitious card routine, a triumph, maybe two card monte, or something like that. I'd love some suggestions and advice. I only do card magic and I don't have any sponge balls/bunnies.
Thank you!

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I'm not going to claim to be an expert on the comprehension skills of 8-10 year olds, but it's my understanding that something like an ACR is not going to work for someone so young. They won't really follow what's happening/they assume anyone older than them can do anything anyway. I wouldn't recommend cards at all, honestly.

 

[krab]

I wouldn't do cards for kids in that age range unless it was something like cakes and snakes.

 

[RickEverhart]

Wateraqua,
Unfortunately, not many of the youngsters are going to enjoy card magic. Some of the 10 years olds may, if they can follow something like a quick sloppy triumph, or 2 card monte, etc. but for the most part they could care less about cards. I am not saying don't perform card magic, but what I am saying is that not many of them will enjoy it as much as you are hoping...if that makes sense. You'll get your occasional child who genuinely shows an interest and may even want to show you a card trick of their own.

Children enjoy visual effects, color changes, appearances, and such with props like silks, ropes, balls, and the like.

How much time do you have to prepare for this? Is it paid? Or is this just you entertaining some children in line for free?

 

[Wateraqua]

Wateraqua,
Unfortunately, not many of the youngsters are going to enjoy card magic. Some of the 10 years olds may, if they can follow something like a quick sloppy triumph, or 2 card monte, etc. but for the most part they could care less about cards. I am not saying don't perform card magic, but what I am saying is that not many of them will enjoy it as much as you are hoping...if that makes sense. You'll get your occasional child who genuinely shows an interest and may even want to show you a card trick of their own.

Children enjoy visual effects, color changes, appearances, and such with props like silks, ropes, balls, and the like.

How much time do you have to prepare for this? Is it paid? Or is this just you entertaining some children in line for free?

I have 2 weeks. It's not paid, I and a few more will be responsible for managing a queue and letting the children in. Since I'll be there and talk to the children, I thought I might as well entertain them with some magic, and the magic I do is card magic.

 

[Randy]

Silk Magic, Sponge balls and Crazy Mans hand cuffs are pretty much the best things you can do for kids. But with two weeks to get an act together.. I can't really see most of that stuff being any good by then.