Card Tricks for Kids

1. Before the trick, hide a small loop of clear thread inside your sleeve, with one end pinned to your cuff.
2. Attach the free end of the thread to the back of the card using a tiny loop of tape, out of sight of your audience.
3. Hold your arm out with your palm flat underneath the card.
4. Slowly and smoothly raise your shoulder and pull your arm back a fraction — the thread lifts the card just enough to look like it's floating.
5. Keep your hand moving gently underneath the card the whole time, never quite touching it.

Practice tip: perform this one with a plain-colored sleeve and against a plain background so the thread stays invisible.

1. Before starting, secretly glance at the bottom card of the deck and remember it — that's your “key card.” Don't tell anyone.
2. Ask a friend to cut a small stack off the top of the deck and set their cut pile on the table.
3. Have them look at and remember the new top card of the pile still in your hand — that's their “chosen” card.
4. Place your pile back on top of their tabled pile, which secretly buries your key card directly on top of their chosen card.
5. Spread the deck face-up on the table. Find your key card with your eyes, and their chosen card will be right next to it.

Practice tip: practice spotting your key card quickly in a spread deck so the “find” looks instant rather than like a search.

1. Secretly fold one of the matching cards in half and tuck it into your pocket before you begin.
2. Show the other, unfolded matching card to your audience and ask them to remember it.
3. Openly tear that visible card into a few pieces.
4. Crumple the torn pieces into a small ball, and secretly swap it for the whole folded card as you reach into your pocket for “a tissue.”
5. Unfold the whole card from your pocket and show it fully restored.

Practice tip: keep the torn pieces balled up small in your other hand and drop them into a pocket later, once attention is back on the restored card.