The most popular guy on our block when I was growing up was our neighbor who could do magic tricks. Every once in a while, he would gather the neighbor kids together and put on a little show if we begged him enough.
We would also beg him to teach us his tricks. Of course, like a good magician, he never gave away any real secrets, but he did teach us a few simple tricks. Of course we coveted his magician’s hat and magic wand and all his other fancy supplies, but he taught us some tricks that required no special equipment.
This trick is very simple, so even young children can do it, but it does take a little practice to make it appear seamless. Learn the trick first yourself, and then teach your child to do it. His or her classmates will be amazed!
What you need: A rubber band that is about two inches long, unstretched. (It needs to hang loosely when put around two of your fingers.)
How it Looks: You make a rubber band jump from two fingers on your hand to two other fingers.
The Show: Put a rubber band around the bottom of your index and middle fingers. Show the audience the back of your hand. Now close your fist and say some magic words and otherwise act magical: swirl your other hand around your closed fist, talk about sprinkling magic dust on your hand, etc…Now open your hand and the rubber band jumps to your pink and ring finger.
The Secret: When you make a fist, put all four fingers under the rubber band. Make sure your fist if face down so no one can see your fingers wiggling.The move takes some practice and a little adjusting, but you should be able to do this in a few seconds. When you open your hand, the rubber band goes right on to the other fingers.