Magic moving pencil

The best magic tricks are the simplest. Take some time to help them practise this magic pencil trick and then perform it for the whole family.

What you need:

• A light pencil
• A flat table surface

Number of players:

Activity:

The effect:

The magician uses mind power to move the pencil along the table. 

The trick:

Hold up the pencil for your audience.  Tell them you can move the pencil without even touching it.

Put the pencil on the table in front of you.  Have your hands hovering about 20cm above the pencil.  Make a big show of using your 'mind power' to move the pencil, make it seem difficult at first.

Then softly blow on the pencil (so softly and without making a 'blowing face' – do it very, very secretly so no one can tell you are blowing.) The pencil will roll along as if by itself.  

Tips for creating a diversion:

• To divert attention away from the fact that you are blowing on the pencil, talk about how you are using your mind to move the pencil and make dramatic 'concentration' faces.
• Move your hands over the pencil in an 'abracadabra' way, to distract from the fact that you are blowing the pencil along with your mouth.