best magic tricks Archives - Page 11 of 11

Picking a Magic Dealer A magic dealer may hand pick a small range of magic tricks. This called a curated range.
The magic dealer advertises that they only choose magic tricks that get great feedback and are of a high standard.

Advantages of picking a magic dealers with a curated magic shop:

The benefit of curated magic dealers is that you are only presented with items the magic dealer feels that you will like. Your expectation for quality of the products is higher.

Trust – You develop trust in the magic dealer and respect the magic dealers opinion of the magic tricks that you should learn.

Easier selection – Less choice makes choosing which item to buy much easier. If you are in the market for a change bag, being presented with 45 different versions can be time consuming and stressful. Curated magic shops narrow down the choice for you.

Disadvantages of picking a magic dealer with a curated magic shop:

1) The selection of the shop will be targeted to one style of magician, so may exclude excellent magic tricks, simply because they don’t fit the customer persona that the magic dealer is targeting.

2) The range can suffer from commercial bias: When choosing magic tricks to promote some magic dealers may not choose items simply because of their quality. Often other reasons play just as much a part in the magic dealers range:

Own Products – Promoting their own magic tricks above other products
Profit Margins – The magic dealers may choose items that have a higher profit margin even though the magic tricks may not be of the best quality.
Exclusivity deals – A deal may be made to give the magic dealer an exclusive on a magic trick in return for high profile on the website.
Relationships with the magic trick creators – A magic dealer may promote a friends magic range, regardless of the quality of the magic tricks.
Stocking costs – Smaller items that are cheaper to post may get preference over large items that have a greater storage and postage cost.
Product turnover speeds – Magic dealers may highlight products due to their popularity. Unusual and slow selling items will tend to be dropped from the range. A focus on the latest exciting new release can often develop as the dealer struggles to bring in sufficient turnover from a small range.

As the range is often limited to a specific theme of magic, You can experience a ‘search bubble’. A search bubble happens when you are presented with a range of magic tricks on a particular theme and return repeatedly to that magic dealer. Over time, you they are only presented with choices that confirm and reinforce that theme, so your exposure to magic becomes more and more limited.

Higher prices – A smaller range means that the magic dealer will have fewer products making up the majority of their turnover. The magic dealers don’t benefit as much from economy of scale. This can cause prices to be higher or additional customer support services to minimal.Using a curated magic dealer can be an excellent choice providing that you trust the magic dealer and are sure that their opinions on good magic, match your own. Being aware of the commercial bias in the selection offered by curated magic dealers is important, to ensure that you choose the best magic tricks to invest your time and energy learning.

Choosing a Magic Dealer – Magic Supermarkets

Buying Magic tricks Without Regret

Choosing the right magic tricks for kids can be a real challenge. The easy option should simply be to go for magic sets for kids rather than individual magic tricks. However, even this option can bring you face to face with a wide range of magic tricks to choose from. We will take a look at some of the best magic sets available, as well as individual magic books, magic DVD’s, and stand alone magic tricks for kids, so you have all the different choices laid out for you. But first, let’s look at the goals to aim for when choosing the right magic tricks.

Easy to follow instructions:
Ideally magic tricks should have an instructional DVD included. Magic DVD’s aren’t essential, as long as the magic tricks instructions are clear with lots of illustrations, but they do help. You can always sit down with your child and work through the method together. It’s a bonding experience you can share together.

A simple, clear and easy to understand presentation and premise:
Magic tricks for kids of a younger age, should have a simple easy to follow ‘story line’. Multi-phase magic tricks tend to have a lot of stages, so keeping the method simple, means your child can focus on his or her magic presentation and drama skills.

Clear age suitability ratings:
Magic sets will generally have an age range advertised. However, individual magic tricks, magic books and magic DVD’s may not. If in doubt, ask the magic dealer. Good magic dealers will be happy to tell you if particular magic tricks or magic sets would be suitable for your child’s age.

Safety tested parts for small children:
If you are choosing magic tricks for kids under 3, it’s very important that you check the props have been safety tested and don’t have very small parts that could be a choking hazard. Many magic sets are produced outside of the EU and imported into the country. Make sure you check with the magic dealer that the magic tricks have been rated and certified.

Transferable magic skills:
Some magic tricks for beginners are self working, others will require your child to learn basic sleight of hand techniques. When choosing magic tricks for kids, try to select those that will teach the core techniques of magic and misdirection. Totally self working magic tricks are fine, but don’t develop your kids skills in magic. Good magic sets will contain a mixture of self working tricks and those that will require more work. Magic tricks such as The Cups and Balls are easy to follow and learn, but continue to develop as your child becomes more experienced. The best magic tricks for kids are those that can be simple or complex depending on how technical the magician wants to be with the props.

Magic sets for kids Vs. Individual magic tricks for kids

Going for magic sets gives you a wide range of magic tricks to choose from, but you have little or no choice as to the magic tricks included in the magic sets. Some tricks will be great, and other just ‘fillers’. Magic sets tend to include a lot of small plastic magic props that older children will find childish.

Individual magic tricks allows you to pick exactly the magic tricks your child will learn, but requires more guidance from the magic dealer to pick appropriate items. It can also be much more expensive, as magic sets tend to give you a lot more tricks for the money.

We generally recommend a magic set for kids up to age 9. Older children may be better suited to individual magic books, magic tricks and instructional magic DVD’s.