I started learning magic tricks when I was just 7 years old and looking back, magic has taught me so much.
Here’s why I think kids should learn magic tricks:
Magic tricks are fun!
Who doesn’t want to learn how to do the impossible? Not only are magic tricks fun to learn, but when you perform them, you’re also making others happy! Spreading smiles one magic trick at a time :)
Build confidence
When you’ve practiced a magic trick, you have something to share with others that you know they will enjoy. Whether showing a magic trick to one friend at school or a larger audience, seeing others light up with joy from something you’ve shared with them is a huge confidence boost. Performing magic increased my confidence enormously and I’ve seen many kids transform through learning and sharing magic tricks.
Make friends for life, all over the world
Learning magic tricks opens the door to an incredible community of magicians who are extremely welcoming whatever your ability or age. I met some of my closest friends when I started learning magic tricks. The most amazing part of this community is I’ve been welcomed into new towns and cities all over the world, by magicians I’ve never met before, simply due to our shared love of magic tricks.
I’ve met heroes of mine, those who have inspired me to learn and improve, and many of these people have become good friends. I can’t think of any other world where this is not only possible, but happens regularly.
Be remembered
Magic tricks are the best ice-breaker. Whether you’re at a party where you don’t know anyone, trying to impress at an interview, or simply looking for a way to stand out from the crowd, when you share a magic trick with someone, they will always remember you.
Once you’ve learned a magic trick, you never forget it. It’s a skill that stays with you for life, whether you perform everyday, or use it every now and then as an ice-breaker!
Improve communication skills
By practicing and performing magic tricks, you learn valuable verbal and non-verbal communication skills, often without realising it! The same mechanisms behind misdirection, guiding attention and story-telling are important elements of communication that we all use everyday when interacting with others. Plus it’s much more fun (and beneficial) to develop these skills by learning magic tricks than going to a communication workshop!
Get kids off their phones!
In an ever-growing digital world, learning and performing magic tricks is a rare activity that gets kids of their phones!
Performing magic tricks is all about connecting with others.
Provides focus and goals
Learning a new skill that you can quickly make good progress with makes a great holiday and lockdown activity. Discovering magic tricks keeps kids engaged, especially when presentation skills are taught together with the secrets.
Having goals to focus on is critical to staying motivated. Once you start learning magic tricks, many goals appear often without realising it! Whether that’s learning a new magic trick, entering a magic competition or giving yourself the deadline of showing someone your latest magic trick when you next see them.
Achieving your goals is a great feeling and also helps in everyday life by building confidence and self-esteem.
If you’re looking for some easy magic tricks for your kids, you can find my favourites below. There’s a mixture of easy card tricks - this is the very first pack of special cards I had - plus magic tricks to make things float and even make money appear!