Printable magic trick cards

🕳️ The Hole in Your Hand

Apprentice · 1 minute · ages 5 to 9

You need: paper

1. Roll the paper into a tube about as wide as a coin and hold it shut.
2. Hold the tube up to your right eye, like a pirate's telescope.
3. Hold your left hand flat against the side of the tube, halfway along.
4. Keep both eyes open and look at something a long way off.

…and 1 more on peabody.kids/magic/hole-in-your-hand-illusion

Say: “I've got a special power. I can put a hole right through your hand without hurting you at all. Want to see? Don't worry. It closes up afterwards.”

📎 The Linking Paper Clips

Apprentice · 2 minutes · ages 5 to 10

You need: paper strip, paperclips

1. Fold the paper strip into an S shape, in three equal parts.
2. Clip the first and second layers together on one side with a paperclip.
3. Clip the second and third layers together on the other side with the next one.
4. Hold the paper strip up and let everybody see that two paperclips are far apart.

…and 2 more on peabody.kids/magic/linking-paperclips-trick

Say: “These two have never met. They're about to. Paperclips are terribly friendly once you introduce them properly. Ready? One… two… three!”

🪢 The Instant Knot

Apprentice · 5 minutes · ages 6 to 11

You need: string

1. Lay the string out on the table and explain the challenge.
2. They hold one end in each hand and must tie a knot without letting go.
3. Your turn.
4. Keeping your arms folded, pick up the left end with your right hand.

…and 2 more on peabody.kids/magic/instant-knot-trick

Say: “It's easy, this one. You just have to think backwards. Most people try to tie the string. I tie myself first and let the string catch up.”

🚪 Walk Through a Paper

Conjurer · 15 minutes · ages 7 to 12

You need: index card, scissors

1. Hold up the index card and say you can walk through it.
2. Fold the card in half, the long way.
3. From the folded edge, cut a slit across, stopping just before the open edge.
4. Move along a little and cut from the open edge towards the fold, stopping short again.

…and 4 more on peabody.kids/magic/walk-through-paper-trick

Say: “I can walk through this card. Don't believe me? Watch very carefully, because it only works once per card. Abracadabra-snip-snip!”

🧻 The Torn and Restored Napkin

Wizard · 2 to 4 days · ages 8 to 13

You need: napkin

1. Hide the spare two napkin, rolled tight, in the curl of your fingers.
2. Show the other two napkin on both sides and tear it in half, then in half again.
3. Screw the pieces into a ball about the same size as the hidden one.
4. Bring both hands together, blow hard, and let the balls change places.

…and 2 more on peabody.kids/magic/torn-and-restored-napkin-trick

Say: “Napkins are very forgiving. Not people, not plates, but napkins, yes. Watch how forgiving. One, two, three, four pieces. And a bit of breath.”

🔄 The Loop of Mystery

Conjurer · 15 minutes · ages 7 to 12

You need: paper strip, scissors

1. Ask a grown-up to help you cut three long three paper strip with the scissors.
2. Join the first three paper strip into a loop with no twist at all.
3. Join the second with a half twist, and the third with a full twist.
4. Cut the first loop down the middle, all the way round.

…and 2 more on peabody.kids/magic/loop-of-mystery-trick

Say: “Three loops. Same paper, same scissors, same cut, straight down the middle of each one. I'd like you to tell me afterwards which one was the odd one out. I think you'll struggle.”

🧵 The Cut and Restored String

Wizard · 2 to 4 days · ages 8 to 13

You need: string, scissors

1. Hide the little loop of two string in your left fist before you start.
2. Show the long two string and let somebody feel both ends.
3. Lay the middle of two string into your left fist, and bring the hidden loop up instead.
4. Ask a grown-up to hold the scissors with you, and cut the loop.

…and 2 more on peabody.kids/magic/cut-and-restored-string-trick

Say: “One piece of string. Have a good feel of it, both ends. Now I'm going to do something unforgivable to it, and then I'm going to apologise, and string, unlike most things, accepts apologies.”

⛓️ The Escape Loops

Conjurer · 15 minutes · ages 7 to 12

You need: string

1. Tie the ends of one two string round your own wrists, loosely.
2. Loop the second two string through yours before your partner ties it on.
3. Let everyone try to get you apart.
4. Take the middle of your two string and push it under the loop round their wrist.

…and 1 more on peabody.kids/magic/escape-loops-trick

Say: “Great escape artists got out of handcuffs, out of boxes, out of a tank of water. All I'm asking you to get out of is a bit of string, and I don't think you can.”