Mind & Number Tricks for Kids

1. Ask your friend to think of any number and keep it secret.
2. Tell them to double it.
3. Then have them add 10 to that answer.
4. Next, ask them to divide the new total in half.
5. Finally, have them subtract their very first number from that result.
6. Dramatically announce the answer: it is always 5.

Why it works: the math always cancels out to the same result, no matter which number they pick first — that's what makes it a “self-working” trick.

1. Ask your friend to take the number of their birth month (January = 1, December = 12) and multiply it by 5.
2. Have them add 6 to that result.
3. Then have them multiply that whole number by 4.
4. Have them add 9.
5. Multiply the new total by 5 again.
6. Finally, have them add the day of the month they were born, then tell you the final number.
7. Subtract 165 in your head — the last two digits are their birth day, and the digits before that are their birth month.

Why it works: the steps are built so all the extra numbers cancel out, leaving only their month and day hidden inside the final total.

1. Ask your friend to hold the coin tightly in one fist for about 20 seconds while both hands stay closed behind their back, then bring both closed fists forward.
2. Have them hold both fists out in front of them, side by side.
3. Lightly touch the back of each of their hands with your fingertips as if concentrating hard.
4. The hand that held the coin will feel very slightly warmer from being squeezed tightly — choose that hand.

Practice tip: this works best after they've held it for a good 20–30 seconds; a quick swap won't leave enough warmth to notice.