Theory & Essays

128 entries in Children Magic / Theory & Essays
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Charles J. Maly The Health Magician program aimed at children on the subject of being healthy, how to dress, tricks and patter ideas
 		1942 Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1942) 18
Bruce Elliott The Back Room on the Tabell Course Volume 2 and performing for children
 		1942 The Phoenix 1-50 (Issue 22) 94
Peter "The Magic Man" Pan Entertaining Children
Dec. 1945 Hugard's Magic Monthly — Volumes I, II, III and IV (Vol. 3 No. 7) 173
Frances Ireland Marshall Rabbits is Extra on kids shows
 		1949 Ireland's Yearbooks (Issue Yearbook 1949)
Piet Forton Kinderzauberei essay on magic for children
 		1958 Hokus Pokus (Vol. 19 No. 1) 589
Charlie Miller List of 40 Effects suitable for Children Shows
1961 The Magic of Charles Earle Miller 95
Marcus Wielage Kid Shows can be Source of Experience, Profit
  • Where to Begin
  • Paying Dates
  • Toy Stores Pay Off
  • First Impressions Count
  • Mother Goose is Out
  • "Monkey see; Monkey do"
  • Physical Arrangements
  • You're in Control
 		1971 Magick (Issue 31) 155
John A. Novak Doing Magic for Children
  • Getting Bookings
  • "What Do You Do?"
  • Birthday Box
  • Relate to the Kids
  • Types of Tricks that Work
  • Setting Up and Shutting Down
 		1975 Magick (Issue 123) 615
Piet Forton Grundsätzliches on magic for children
  • Allgemeine Voraussetzungen (general requirements)
  • Die Beziehung zum Kinde (the relationship to the child)
  • Zauberei und "Pädagogik" (magic and education)
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 2
Piet Forton Zur Entwicklungspsychologie developmental psychology and different age groups
  • Einführung
  • Altersgruppe I
  • Altersgruppe II
  • Altersgruppe III
  • Altersgruppe IV
  • Erwachsene
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 6
Piet Forton Auftrittsstil, Kleidung, Utensilien style, costume and props
  • Auftrittsstil
  • Kleidung
  • Utensilien
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 17
Piet Forton Geschäftlich-Kommerzielles Public-Relations
  • Kinderparties, Geburtstagsfeiern, kleinere Feste usw.
  • Geschäftsanlässe, Kindergruppen wie z.B. Pfadfinder u.a.
  • Grossanlässe auf der Bühne, in Supermärkten, Warenhäusern usw.
  • Kindergärten, Schulen, Sonderschulen, Kinderheime, Sanatorien usw.
  • Reklame, Werbung, Prospekte usw.
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 19
Piet Forton Kunststücke tricks
  • Vorbemerkungen
  • Beginn der Vorstellung, Kontaktnahme, Einstieg
  • Schluss der Vorstellung, Ausklang
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 27
Piet Forton Schlusswortgedanken on topical and memorable shows for children
 		1979 Das Piet Forton Seminar — Kinderzauberei 41
Johnny Cooper No Show if Wet...
1980 Polished Presentations 59
Rudolf Braunmüller Kenn' ich, kenn' ich, hab' ich schon gesehen! comebacks for children know-it-alls
 		Jan. 1984 Intermagic (Vol. 10 No. 3&4) 140
Richard Bartram, Jr. Close-Up Tips "Children" gag comic
 		1985 Close-Up of the Damned 31
Ian Keable-Elliott Editorial children magic
 		Dec. 1987 Opus (Vol. 1 No. 4) 2
Johnny "J.J." Johnston Peter Pinner - Children's Entertainer
June 1988 Opus (Vol. 1 No. 10) 14
Robert Cox Entertaining Children - The Cynical Approach
Feb. 1989 Opus (Vol. 2 No. 6) 13
Neal Austin The Lowest of the Low on status of children entertainers
 		Aug. 1989 Opus (Vol. 2 No. 12) 5
Walt Lees Hot Chestnuts on fees
Related to Oct. 1992 Opus (Vol. 4 No. 6) 11
Marc Dibowski Über die Zauberei mit Kindern article about children's magic
  • 1. Ein paar Worte zu dieser Publikation
  • 2. Einige Grundlagen für die Zauberei mit Kindern
    • 2.1 Grundsätzliche Aspekte
    • 2.2 Die Sache mit dem Applaus und dem Lachen
    • 2.3 Das Verhalten von Kindern und die resultierenden Probleme
    • 2.4 Bonbons oder nicht
    • 2.5 Die Ängste von Kindern
  • 3. Der Auftritt
    • 3.1 Wie zu den Auftrittsorten ohne Auto?
    • 3.2 Die Telefonverhandlung
    • 3.3 Die Anreise
    • 3.4 Die Ankunft
    • 3.5 Die Auftrittsorte und ihre Besonderheiten
      • 3.5.1 Der Kindergeburtstag
      • 3.5.2 Der Kindergarten
      • 3.5.3 Die Schule
      • 3.5.4 Das Kinderfest
      • 3.5.5 Andere öffentliche Auftrittsorte
    • 3.6 Die Vorbereitung
    • 3.7 Das Konzept
    • 3.8 Die Vorstellung
    • 3.9 Nach dem Auftritt
  • 4. Störquellen
    • 4.1 Der Wind
    • 4.2 Zuschauer von hinten
    • 4.3 Zu laute Musik im Hintergrund
    • 4.4 Unruhige Kinder
    • 4.5 Besserwisser
    • 4.6 "Den kenn ich schon!"
    • 4.7 Auf die Bühne krabbelnde Kleinkinder
  • 5. Werbung/Publicity
  • Anhang (bibliography)
 		July 1994 Intermagic (Vol. 18 No. 4&5) 131
Karrell Fox Jet-Settings backdrop for parlour or children performances
 		1995 Much Ado About Something 98
Alexander de Cova Straßenzauberkunst - Eine kleine Abhandlung article about street magic
1. Einleitung
2. Voraussetzungen (table, pouch, where to perform, ...)
3. Das erste Mal (the first time)
4. Wie man ein Publikum gewinnt (crowd building)
5. Das Einsammeln des Geldes (collecting money)
6. Andere Kollegen... (colleagues)
7. Werbung (promotion)
8. Kinder im Publikum (children in the audience)
9. Kreativität
10. Trickauswahl & Literaturangaben (repertoire and source)
 		1998 Secrets No. 2 87
Bob Markwood Was kommt dann? handling bookings for children's parties
  • Drei Tage vor dem Ereignis
  • Ein Tag vor dem Ereignis
  • Der Tag des Auftritts
  • Die Ankunft
  • Die Vorbereitungen
  • Die Show
  • Der Abbau
  • Die Abfahrt
  • Der nächste Tag
  • Im nächsten Jahr
 		1999 Intermagic (Vol. 22 No. 4&5) 186
Danny Orleans Remote Control
  • Pediatrix
 		June 2000 Genii (Vol. 63 No. 6) 58
Uwe Schenk, Michael Sondermeyer Performing Magic for Children... an excerpt
  • Designing an Act for Children
 		Sep. 2000 Genii (Vol. 63 No. 9) 46
Danny Orleans Pediatrix
Sep. 2000 Genii (Vol. 63 No. 9) 72
Danny Orleans Pre-Show Communication
  • Pediatrix
 		Dec. 2000 Genii (Vol. 63 No. 12) 58
Danny Orleans Pediatrix
Feb. 2001 Genii (Vol. 64 No. 2) 62
Danny Orleans Pick a Kid, any Kid: Do's and Don'ts for Selection Audience Assistants
  • Pediatrix
 		May 2001 Genii (Vol. 64 No. 5) 71
Danny Orleans Booking Your Children's Show: Step One
  • Pediatrix
 		Dec. 2001 Genii (Vol. 64 No. 12) 71
Danny Orleans Your Brochure
  • Pediatrix
 		Feb. 2002 Genii (Vol. 65 No. 2) 62
Danny Orleans Gag Reflex, Part III
  • Pediatrix
 		Dec. 2002 Genii (Vol. 65 No. 12) 77
Danny Orleans Teaching
  • Pediatrix

  • Teaching Magic to Children
  • Plan Backward
  • The Structure of a Weekly Class
  • Teaching Technique
 		Feb. 2003 Genii (Vol. 66 No. 2) 73
Danny Orleans Teaching Magic to Children - The First Trick
  • Pediatrix
production carton
 		June 2003 Genii (Vol. 66 No. 6) 76
Danny Orleans Teaching Magic to Children - Week One
  • Pediatrix
packet trick with dots as example ("The Color Changing Cards")
 		Aug. 2003 Genii (Vol. 66 No. 8) 84
David Kaye The Origins of Performing Magic for Children
Sep. 2004 Genii (Vol. 67 No. 9) 51
David Kaye Chasing Pigeons
Sep. 2004 Genii (Vol. 67 No. 9) 55
David Kaye Proud To Be A Kid Show Magician
  • Children Are Different Than Adults
  • Children Are Like Drunks!
  • Have No Fear
 		2005 Seriously Silly 15
David Kaye Client 1347: The Sultan of Brunei
2005 Seriously Silly 17
David Kaye The Origins of Performing Magic For Children
2005 Seriously Silly 19
David Kaye Client 529: Susan Sarandon
2005 Seriously Silly 23
David Kaye Learning Real Magic Words
2005 Seriously Silly 27
David Kaye What Is Magic To A Child?
2005 Seriously Silly 28
David Kaye Your First Steps: 10 Steps to Understanding Children's Magic 1. You must like children or at least fake it well.
2. Speak to children as you would an adult.
3. Emphasize the entertainment over the effect.
4. Eliminate distractions.
5. "I know that one" doesn't always mean that.
6. Go with the flow and be willing to go off script.
7. Children love participating.
8. Explain the plot and keep plots simple.
9. Make pop culture references.
10. Have fun.
 		2005 Seriously Silly 31
David Kaye Different Shows For Different Ages
2005 Seriously Silly 36
David Kaye How To Maximize a Child Volunteer 1. Asking for a volunteer.
2. Choosing the right volunteer.
3. Make the child feel welcomed.
4. Dress up your volunteer.
5. Empower the child.
6. Reward your assistant.
 		2005 Seriously Silly 46
David Kaye Client 4421: David Letterman
2005 Seriously Silly 49
David Kaye It's Not The Destination, It's The Ride
2005 Seriously Silly 53
David Kaye You're So Silly! - Adding Comedy Elements To Your Routines
  • Incongruity
  • Magician In Trouble
  • Silly Words
  • Funny Props
  • Exaggeration
  • Repetition
 		2005 Seriously Silly 57
David Kaye It's Behind You! - Adding Interaction and Involvement Elements To Your Routines
  • Laughing
  • Saying the Magic Word
  • Physical Actions with the Magic Words
  • Physical Actions with the Specific Routine
  • Pointing/"Look"
  • Correcting Verbal Mistakes
 		2005 Seriously Silly 67
David Kaye Mommy, I Did Magic! - Adding Empowerment Elements To Your Routines
  • Empowering Children With Knowledge
  • Empowering Children With Skill
 		2005 Seriously Silly 74
David Kaye Once Upon a Time - Adding Storytelling Elements To Your Routines
  • Set-Up
  • Creating a Plot
  • Boy Meets Girl
  • The Need For A Strong Ending
  • The Complete Resolution Ending
  • The "Waa, Waa, Waa, Waa" Ending
  • Tricks That Have No Ending
 		2005 Seriously Silly 81
David Kaye Honey, How Did He Do That? - Extra Credit - Entertaining the Adults In Your Audiences
2005 Seriously Silly 90
David Kaye Whatever You Do, Don't Read This - Adding Ad-libs to Your Routines
2005 Seriously Silly 97
David Kaye Teach Them First, Then They Know
2005 Seriously Silly 110
David Kaye Incorporating These Principles Into Your Routines
2005 Seriously Silly 112
David Kaye Client 3719: Bruce Springsteen
2005 Seriously Silly 116
David Kaye The Silly Billy Distraction Progression Theory
2005 Seriously Silly 121
David Kaye "I Know That One" Doesn't Always Mean That
2005 Seriously Silly 123
David Kaye Five Steps To Solving Any Performing Problem 1. Prevention
2. Use Humor
3. Ask Nicely
4. Ask More Forcefully
5. Stop The Show and Call For Help
 		2005 Seriously Silly 125
David Kaye Solving The Top 10 Problems of Performing For Children
2005 Seriously Silly 129
David Kaye Client 5108: Madonna
2005 Seriously Silly 146
David Kaye Putting it All Together
  • The Warm-Up
  • The Opening
  • The Body of the Show
  • The Climax
  • Extra Credit
 		2005 Seriously Silly 151
David Kaye Where The Heck Is That Darn Line?
2005 Seriously Silly 154
David Kaye Chasing Pigeons - The Importance of Power in a Child's Life
2005 Seriously Silly 156
David Kaye Bideford, We Have a Problem
2005 Seriously Silly 158
David Kaye Concluding Thoughts
2005 Seriously Silly 160
David Kaye Appendix I - The Cognitive Development of a Child Tabulates what a kid knows at what age
 		2005 Seriously Silly 161
David Kaye Appendix II - Magician/Child Dictionary Translating typical magician terms into words children understand
 		2005 Seriously Silly 162
David Kaye Appendix III - Tricks For Your Kid Show That You Already Own
2005 Seriously Silly 163
Roberto Giobbi Tricks for Children list
 		2010 Secret Agenda (Issue Aug 27) 257
David Kaye My Child Is Sooo Smart: Are Children Smarter Than They Used To Be?
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Sep. 2012 Genii (Vol. 75 No. 9) 28
David Kaye You Simple Humans With Your Simple, Simple Brains
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 2) 34
David Kaye Mentalism is the New Kids' Show
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 4) 22
David Kaye How Do Children From Different Cultures React to the Same Trick?
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 6) 38
David Kaye Did You Set The VCR?
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Aug. 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 8) 26
David Kaye Swinging With Two Bats
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 10) 35
David Kaye Age of Enlightenment
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Dec. 2013 Genii (Vol. 76 No. 12) 32
David Kaye The Free Stooges
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Mar. 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 3) 34
Mac King, Danny Orleans The Art of Presenting Magic to Teenagers interview on Danny Orleans DVD set
 		Mar. 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 3) 82
David Kaye This Rant O'Mine Is About Pantomime
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		May 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 5) 48
David Kaye Get Off Your High Horse
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		July 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 7) 36
David Kaye I Don't Have a Drinking Problem... I Have a Drinking Solution.
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Sep. 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 9) 30
David Kaye Assistance In Choosing Assistants
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Nov. 2014 Genii (Vol. 77 No. 11) 30
David Kaye Honey, I Blew Up the Magic Show
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Jan. 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 1) 32
David Kaye Ta, Ta to the Tooth Fairy
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Mar. 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 3) 30
David Kaye I'm All Fired Up
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		May 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 5) 24
David Kaye Still Fired Up
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		July 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 7) 24
David Kaye The Accidental Comedian
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Sep. 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 9) 26
David Kaye It's Not the Size of Your Props, It's the Matter of Your Patter
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Nov. 2015 Genii (Vol. 78 No. 11) 22
Joaquín Matas Sobre las Actuaciones Infantiles y Familiares on family and children shows
 		2016 A Fuego Lento — Volumen II 261
David Kaye Too P.C. Or Not Too P.C.: That Is The Question
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Jan. 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 1) 20
David Kaye This Time... I Absolutely, Positively Know That One!
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
change bag in magic sets
 		Mar. 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 3) 24
David Kaye Flight Time
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		May 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 5) 24
David Kaye Don't Read This!
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		July 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 7) 34
David Kaye Be Vewy, Vewy, Quiet. I'm Hunting Wabbit Ideas!
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
using animals in a show
 		Sep. 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 9) 30
David Kaye The Verbal Challenge
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Nov. 2016 Genii (Vol. 79 No. 11) 28
David Kaye Why Zombies Attack
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2017 Genii (Vol. 80 No. 2) 36
David Kaye What's Your Elephant? Part 1
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2017 Genii (Vol. 80 No. 4) 38
David Kaye What's Your Elephant? Part 2
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2017 Genii (Vol. 80 No. 6) 32
David Kaye Job Application
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2017 Genii (Vol. 80 No. 10) 34
David Kaye Are You a Jerk or an Expert?
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 2) 38
David Kaye The Trick Brain
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 4) 52
David Kaye If I Had a Magic Wand
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 6) 72
David Kaye Too Soon? No, Too Late!
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Aug. 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 8) 58
David Kaye Science of Audience Management 101
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 10) 32
David Kaye The Enlightenment of a Pro
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Dec. 2018 Genii (Vol. 81 No. 12) 61
David Kaye "Open the Goat" and Other Magic Words
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 2) 50
David Kaye The "Plastic Thumb" Kid
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 4) 44
David Kaye How Often Do You Do It?
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 6) 46
David Kaye Making Something Out of Nothing
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Aug. 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 8) 54
David Kaye Magic for Toddlers
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 10) 56
David Kaye Kiddie See, Kiddie Do?
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Dec. 2019 Genii (Vol. 82 No. 12) 66
Rhys "Morgan" Jones, Robert "West" Tay Dealing with Children and the Unexpected Rule 0: Know your stuff
Rule 1: React positively to the situation
Rule 2: Refocus quickly
Rule 3: Take control if you have to
Rule 4: The audience is on your side
 		2020 Parlour Tricks 148
David Kaye Repetition is Funny. Repetition is Funny.
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 2) 58
David Kaye A Sizzling Read
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 4) 58
David Kaye Kid Show Stew
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 6) 60
David Kaye Back to the Future
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Aug. 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 8) 58
David Kaye A Few More Morsels of Fun
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 10) 64
David Kaye Live, From the Backyard, It's Saturday Afternoon!
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Dec. 2020 Genii (Vol. 83 No. 12) 52
David Kaye The Lost Year
  • The Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Feb. 2021 Genii (Vol. 84 No. 2) 54
David Kaye Here Comes the Sun
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Apr. 2021 Genii (Vol. 84 No. 4) 52
David Kaye A Pandemic Potpourri
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		June 2021 Genii (Vol. 84 No. 6) 72
David Kaye The Contrarian Child
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Aug. 2021 Genii (Vol. 84 No. 8) 56
David Kaye Bowling a Perfect Game
  • Expert at the Kids' Table
 		Oct. 2021 Genii (Vol. 84 No. 10) 62