Become a Master of Illusion like Harry Houdini!

Ehrich Weiss, the man known as Harry Houdini, became the world’s greatest magician and escape artist. If you’re interested in the art of misdirection—that’s doing something while people are looking the other way—try one of these three tricks. To learn more about Harry Houdini and his spectacular life, check out Escape The Story of The Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman or Who Was Harry Houdini by Tui T. Sutherland.

Is This Your Card?

You’ve likely seen this classic trick performed before and wondered, “how do they do it?” The key is some prepping before your audience arrives and a bit of misdirection. Split the deck into two piles—one pile should be all of your hearts and spades cards, the other should include all of your clubs and diamonds. In front of your audience, pretend to shuffle the deck and split it into two piles. Hand one pile to your volunteer and ask them to pick a card. Have them slide the card into the other pile—you’ll be able to pick out the card immediately because the suit won’t match the others!

 “Mind Control” – You WILL Raise Your Arm

This fun trick doesn’t really involve mind-control but your friends and potential audience members won’t know that. This trick actually works due to the power of suggestion. It’s pretty easy, too. Have a volunteer extend their arm straight out and press their palm against a wall. Have them hold it there for 30-60 seconds while you make a grand speech about your mind-control abilities and all of the magic secrets you’ve learned (this is misdirection). After the minute is up, tell your friend that when you ask them to step away from the wall, they will raise their arm. Be very dramatic – your friend will step away from the wall and will lift up their arm without meaning to!

Pick a Number

Prepare for this trick by placing the ace of diamonds as the 9^th card in the deck. Tell your audience that you lost your ace of diamonds and you need someone who can help you find it. Play this up to get your audience into the trick (more misdirection!). Have your volunteer pick a number between 10 and 20. Then, have them add the digits together and subtract that number from the original number. (Their number will be nine.) Count out the cards and flip over the 9^th card. There is the ace of diamonds!

Have fun trying out these tricks and illusions – we hope you learn something new! Don’t forget to challenge your friends to come up with their own tricks—you can even put together your own magic show for your families and PJ Our Way pals.