... magic tricks

The art of the street performing magician lies with doing simple tricks near to the audience rather than on stage. Currently the most famous street magician is TV's 'hip-hop Houdini' David Blaine - so, street magic has hit the big-time!

Everyone can learn to do one or two simple tricks and the items needed are not expensive.

• Don't throw a sheet over the mini-bus and shout abracadabra! Mistakes are difficult to undo!
• You will need to obtain ideas for magic tricks, and the equipment to go with them (see Advice and Guidance).
• Get young people into small groups (4 to 6 people) to practice one or two tricks and show the others. You can keep the same set of tricks for different groups.

Once learned, why not visit one of the younger sections and do some performances to small groups, or demonstrate during a mix and mingle at an event like the AGM. Magic tricks are great to use on a stand/fundraising stall for stopping passers-by.

You can buy books with ideas at many bookstores, many aimed at young people.

Ideas on magic tricks

• www.activityvillage.co.uk/magic_tricks.htm
• www.scienceyear.com/text_only/wired/magicbox

Books, video and resources

• www.magictricks.co.uk/
• www.magicbox.uk.com/
• www.magicroom.co.uk/

Pete McCahon, star of Channel Five's 'Monkey Magic' and 'The Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe, Ever' first performed in front of his mates at Cubs.

If you want to fry your brain on the algebra of some card tricks, visit plus.maths.org/issue14/features/eastaway