LEARN AT AN EXPERT LEVEL
Easy Magic Tricks That Anyone Can Do
Being a full time magician for over 20 years I have learned a lot of magic tricks. Some require a ton of skill, and some are easy. Of the easy magic tricks I definitely know the best ones. Most of these you will not find anywhere else. All of these easy magic tricks that anyone can do are:
- Amazing
- Simple
- Easy to do
- Very Magical
- Practical
- Routined Nicely Together
- Using Ordinary Objects
- Using Minimal Props
I have grouped the magic tricks together so you have a few tricks in a row with the same props. This is the perfect way to develop a nice magic act. Here are detailed step by step instructions for each of these easy magic tricks so you will actually be able to do them. I will also give you my top recommendations on the best easy magic tricks you should buy.
Coin Prediction
EFFECT: You place an envelope on the table and tell your spectator to imagine they have three coins- a penny, a nickel, and a dime. Have them name any of the coins out loud. You pick up the envelope and show that you correctly predicted the coin they would choose.
SETUP: You will need a small piece of paper, a small envelope, and a dime. Write on the envelope “You will pick the NICKEL.” Write on the paper “You will pick the PENNY.” Place the paper and dime inside the envelope. Make sure the dime is at the bottom of the envelope.
HOW TO DO IT
As you can see in the picture, when you start the envelope is on the table flap side up. I put a tiny piece of double stick tape on the flap so it stays down yet can still be opened easily. This trick is what is called a 3-way out. Your spectator does not know what you are going to do. Whatever coin they say you will show a different outcome. There are 3 possible endings. They will only be aware of one of them.
- NICKEL- Flip over the envelope.
- PENNY- Open the flap and pull out the paper.
- Dime- Open the flap and dump out the dime.
IMPORTANT POINTS: You can use a piece of paper or the back of a business card. Make sure it is small enough so when you open the flap the paper doesn’t show. When you pull out the paper squeeze the dime against the bottom of the envelope so it doesn’t accidentally fall out. When you dump out the dime squeeze the paper so it doesn’t accidentally fall out. Do not repeat this trick for the same spectator.
Mind Control
EFFECT: You spread a group of cards and your spectator takes any one and places it on the table. You turn over the cards in your hands showing the backs are all blank. They turn over the card they picked and it is the only one with an X on the back.
SETUP: You can use business cards or blank cards. I am using business cards. Start with 20 cards total, 10 with an X on the back, 10 blank. Put 3 blank cards on top, then the 10 X cards, then the rest of the blank cards.
HOW TO DO IT
You need them to touch one of the 10 cards with an X on the back. Slowly spread the cards and have a spectator touch one. Spread over only about 10 or 12 cards total so they have to touch one of the X cards. When they touch a card slide it out and put it on the table, X side down.
Square up the packet you are holding and turn it over. Casually spread 4 or 5 cards and then 2 cards at the bottom. Hold the spread in a display position and tell the spectator they could have picked any card. Have them turn over the card on the table. They picked the only one with an X on it.
IMPORTANT POINTS: When spreading the cards to show they are all blank keep the packet tight so you don’t flash any Xs. The exact number of cards you use doesn’t really matter, I find 20 is good. If they try to touch one of the top few cards, one of the blank cards, tell them to touch one in the middle.
If they do not touch one of the cards with an X slide out the card and place it on the table. Square up and spread again having them touch another card. Hopefully this time it is one of the X cards. Place it on the table next to the blank card. Tell them to pick up one of the cards on the table. No matter which one they pick up you will take back the blank card and put it back in the packet.
If they pick up the blank card immediately take it back, put it back in the packet, and proceed. If they pick up the X card immediately pick up the card on the table, put it back in the packet, and proceed. Be casual here, as if this is exactly what you planned. Spread the cards into display position for the ending. Have them flip over the card they picked.
Coin Behind Your Ear
EFFECT: Look at someone’s ear, then casually reach behind and pull out a quarter.
SETUP: Start with a quarter in your hand. Hold it casually, nobody knows.
HOW TO DO IT
First get your spectator’s attention. Look toward their ear. Slowly reach behind, bring the quarter to your fingertips, and bring it out.
IMPORTANT POINTS: Do not touch their ear or head. Just reach behind them near their ear. Your spectators won’t expect this and do not know you are holding a quarter. You will catch them off guard. This trick is a perfect way to produce a quarter for your next trick.
Balancing Coin
EFFECT: You take out a bill and tell the spectator that you will balance the quarter on the very edge of the bill while it is fully stretched out. You let them try and tell them they can keep the bill if they can do it. They try and fail, you show them how.
SETUP: All you need is a quarter and a bill. Everything can be borrowed.
HOW TO DO IT
It is best to use a crisp bill. Fold it in half and rest the quarter on top. Grip the bill and slowly pull it open at the sides. The quarter will stay balanced, even when the bill is pulled completely straight. You can lift the bill up. It is pretty amazing.
IMPORTANT POINTS: This is what is called a “bar bet.” A bar bet is when you challenge your spectator to do something which sounds impossible, unless you know the secret. It is nice to mix in these types of tricks when performing. They are a lot of fun and get your spectators involved.
Coin Through Table
EFFECT: You pick up a quarter, bang it on the table, push it straight through, and bring it back out from underneath.
SETUP: All you need is a quarter. You need to be seated at a table.
HOW TO DO IT
I am right handed. If you are left handed just switch the hands. Start with your left hand naturally resting in your lap. With your right hand, in a scooping motion, drag the quarter to the edge of the table and act as if you are picking it up. Let it fall in your lap. Rotate your right fingers upward and hold the back of your right hand toward the audience as if you are holding a quarter.
Rotate your fingers back down and lean forward to tap the supposed quarter on the table. As you do this pick up the quarter with your left hand. Tap the tips of your right fingers two times on the table as you tap the quarter against the table from underneath. The audio illusion is perfect.
On the 3rd tap open your right hand clearly showing the quarter is gone. At the same time press the quarter flat against the table underneath to get another great audio illusion. Bring the quarter out and show it.
IMPORTANT POINTS: Make sure your audience is in front of you. You might want to put an open napkin in your lap so the quarter doesn’t fall off your lap when you drop it. Make sure to keep the back of your hand to the audience while miming holding a quarter.
Broken & Restored Toothpick
EFFECT: You place a toothpick in the center of a dinner napkin. Your spectator breaks the toothpick two or three times. You wave over the napkin and open it up. The toothpick is fully restored. This is an incredible trick.
SETUP: You need a cloth napkin, the type that has a seam at the edge and two toothpicks. Before your performance you will secretly push a toothpick all the way into the seam at the corner of the napkin.
HOW TO DO IT
Open up the napkin with the toothpick corner closest to you. Have your spectator place the toothpick in the center of the napkin. Fold the corners toward the center trapping the toothpick inside. Fold the toothpick corner into the middle and keep it close to you so you know where it is.
Lift up the toothpick that is in the corner and have your spectator take hold. Tell them to break it a few times and then let go. Wave your hands over the napkin and then slowly open it up showing the toothpick is restored.
IMPORTANT POINTS: You can set this up beforehand or if you are at a restaurant set it up in your lap or in the bathroom. It only takes a second. Use the napkin throughout the meal until you are ready to perform this miracle. Make sure you keep track of the toothpick in the seam when you fold it over. You do not want your spectator to break the wrong one.
Toothpick Challenge
EFFECT: Using toothpicks you make a field goal with a football in it. Without changing the look of the field goal your spectator can only move 2 toothpicks so the football is outside the goal. They try and cannot do it. You show them the secret.
SETUP: You need 5 toothpicks. Arrange the toothpicks as seen in the picture. Break a small piece off the other toothpick and place it inside.
HOW TO DO IT
- Move the toothpick at the base of the glass halfway over.
- Move the other toothpick into place.
IMPORTANT POINTS: This is what is called a “bar bet.” A bar bet is when you challenge your spectator to do something which sounds impossible, unless you know the secret. It is nice to mix in these types of tricks when performing. They are a lot of fun and get your spectators involved.
Jumping Rubber Band
EFFECT: A rubber band is place around 2 of your fingers. You close your hand into a fist. When you open your hand the rubber band visibly jumps onto your other 2 fingers. You repeat the trick under more impossible conditions.
SETUP: You need 3 rubber bands. You might want to carry a few extras just in case one breaks or you lose one.
HOW TO DO IT
I am right handed. If you are left handed just switch the hands.
Hold your right hand open with the back of your hand toward your audience. Place the rubber band around your right 1st and 2nd fingers. With your left 1st and 2nd fingers stretch the rubber band open. Close your right fingers into a fist and place them into the rubber band. Open your fingers and the rubber band will jump onto your 3rd and 4th fingers. Repeat this so the rubber band jumps back onto your 1st and 2nd fingers.
You are going to do this again and make it look more impossible. The rubber band is around your right 1st and 2nd fingers. Put another rubber band around the top of your fingers by giving a twist in between each finger. The rubber band is trapped on your 1st and 2nd fingers.
You will do the exact same procedure here. With your left 1st and 2nd fingers stretch the rubber band open. Close your right fingers into a fist and place them into the rubber band. Open your fingers and the rubber band will jump onto your 3rd and 4th fingers. Repeat this so the rubber band jumps back onto your 1st and 2nd fingers.
IMPORTANT POINTS: This is a great trick and super easy to do. Don’t do it too many times. I think 4 times total is perfect- 2 times without the band around your fingers, 2 times with the band around your fingers. Make sure your audience is in front of you. You can use any rubber bands. I like using size #14 Alliance Pale Crepe Gold Rubber Bands, they are very soft. Here is a link if you want to check them out.
Telekinetic Rubber Band
EFFECT: You break a rubber band and place another rubber band on the center of it. You stretch out the broken band and the rubber band around the center mysteriously climbs up the broken band without touching it.
SETUP: You need 2 rubber bands. You might want to carry a few extras just in case.
I am right handed. If you are left handed just switch the hands.
HOW TO DO IT
Break one of the bands. Place another rubber band onto the center of the broken band. Grip the broken band in the middle with your right thumb and 1st and at the end with your left thumb and 1st. Stretch the broken band and hold it slightly tilted upward with your left hand higher than your right hand.
Slowly let the end of the broken rubber band move through your right thumb and 1st. The end is hidden in your right hand so your spectators won’t see it. The rubber band in the center will eerily move upward.
IMPORTANT POINTS: Go slowly, it looks better. A little movement goes a long way. Watch the end so you stop before it slips out of your right hand. I use the same rubber bands for this as I do for the the Jumping Rubber Band- size #14 Alliance Pale Crepe Gold Rubber Bands.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Where should you perform these tricks? ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE. All of these tricks are foolers. They use minimal props and ordinary objects. This is what makes great magic. Here is the formula for learning these easy magic tricks:
- Read the trick
- Gather your props
- Learn the trick
- Practice it a few times
- Perform the trick
A good magician never reveals the secret. It cheapens the magic if you tell your spectators how to do it. This is why I included a couple bar bets. They are fun to do and also give you something you can teach your audience. Good luck and have fun!
Easy Magic Tricks to Buy
There are some amazing close up magic tricks that are easy to do and require props. They are perfect for both kids and adults. Here are my top picks of the best ones you can buy.
