Is your child determined to master a few wondrous tricks to amaze family and friends? We’ve rounded up 10 of the best magic books for kids to help them on their way.
From the very first card trick, kids are often hooked on magic – and it’s a brilliant hobby for building confidence, memory and communication skills. Whether your budding magician is just starting out or already has a few tricks up their sleeve, there’s a book here to take them further.
Take a look below at magic books suited to children of all ages, giving them the chance to learn card and coin tricks, illusions, sleight of hand, and lots more.
You may also enjoy 8 Easy Card Tricks for Kids to Delight and Amaze
Magic Books for Kids
1. My First Magic Book
My First Magic Book by Paul Megram
Designed for absolute beginners, My First Magic Book starts with simple card tricks and keeps the fun going with tricks using everyday objects, such as the banana split trick and the coin-under-a-handkerchief illusion. Young magicians can then move on to head-scratching puzzlers that will leave friends and family amazed and bewildered.
With handy hints and tips from professional magician Paul Megram, this is a lovely first step for any aspiring young magician.
2. 52 Cool Tricks for Kids
52 Cool Tricks for Kids by Lynn Gordon
This best-selling deck of cards features simple, fun magic tricks for kids, including the Live Volcano, Genie in the Bottle, and Disappearing Coins – perfect for dipping in and out of.
3. The Children’s Book of Magic
The Children’s Book of Magic by DK
This one traces the history of magic from ancient Egypt to the present day, exploring the secrets behind some of the greatest magicians, from Harry Houdini to Albertus Magnus. Kids can learn about coin tricks, the art of misdirection, captivating card tricks, and sleight of hand, with engaging step-by-step sequences to help them master each trick.
You may also enjoy 12 Fun Card Games Loved By Kids
4. Magic Tricks to Make and Do
Magic Tricks to Make and Do by Ben Denne
This book contains 24 magic tricks that will astonish any audience, including card tricks, disappearing coins and incredible shrinking wands. Each trick is clearly illustrated with step-by-step instructions, and there are full instructions for creating props from everyday items too. Kids will love the more than 180 stickers included for decorating props and scenery.
5. Magic Tricks with Coins, Cards and Everyday Objects
Magic Tricks with Coins, Cards and Everyday Objects by Jake Banfield
With over 50 step-by-step magic tricks of varying difficulty, this book is a great introduction to the popular world of “street magic,” where magicians specialise in up-close, informal tricks to bamboozle their audience.
Top magic secrets are revealed, with no special equipment necessary – children can perform incredible tricks with everyday household objects, turning ordinary items into sources of wonder. They’ll never look at a packet of chewing gum the same way again.
6. Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic
Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic by Mark Wilson
Acclaimed as “the text that young magicians swear by,” this book is full of step-by-step instructions. More than 2,000 illustrations provide the know-how behind 300 techniques, from basic card tricks to advanced levitation, along with advice on planning and staging a professional-quality magic show.
You may also enjoy 10 Easy Magic Tricks for Kids to Master
7. Magic: The Complete Course
Magic: The Complete Course by Joshua Jay
Joshua Jay’s Magic is a complete course, packed with over a hundred amazing but easy-to-learn effects. Much more than a collection of tricks, this book teaches both the mechanics and the presentation needed to perform each one well.
Chapters cover a wide range of scenarios, teaching readers to make money appear, predict thoughts and phone numbers, guide a participant’s decision, and demonstrate superhuman memory – plus some revamped classic prop tricks.
8. Modern Coin Magic
Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo
Celebrated magician J.B. Bobo has gathered together the best and most useful coin tricks here. Readers will learn all about sleight-of-hand techniques, as well as basic moves, concealments and vanishes – ideal for impressing friends and family.
9. Street Magic
The Secrets of Street Magic by Paul Zenon
This book teaches the secrets of close-up, under-your-nose, in-your-face magic. There are nearly 100 great tricks and illusions using coins, paper, cards and other everyday items to impress people, each with easy-to-follow diagrams and text.
10. Dynamo: The Book of Secrets
Dynamo: The Book of Secrets by Dynamo
This is the ultimate magic book – a masterclass from one of the world’s most famous magicians. In this fully illustrated guide to modern magic, Dynamo shows readers how to perform tricks themselves: making water freeze instantly, “reading” a friend’s mind, making chewing gum float around their head, appearing to slice a banana without touching it, and plenty more mind-bending illusions.
You may also enjoy 5 Easy Card Tricks for Kids aged 8 to 12 to Learn and Perform
FAQs
What age is right for starting magic tricks?
Many magic books for younger children are designed for ages 6 and up, focusing on simple, visual tricks with everyday objects. Older children and pre-teens can move on to books covering card sleights, coin work and more technical illusions.
Do kids need special equipment to learn magic?
Not necessarily. Several of the books above, including those focused on street magic and tricks with everyday objects, are designed so children can perform impressive tricks using things already found around the house.
How can magic help my child’s development?
Learning and performing magic tricks can build a child’s confidence, memory, fine motor skills and communication, since every trick involves practice, sequencing and presenting to an audience.
Are these books suitable for beginners or more advanced young magicians?
Both. Books like My First Magic Book and 52 Cool Tricks for Kids are ideal starting points, while titles such as Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic and Magic: The Complete Course offer plenty of room to grow into more advanced technique.
Related Articles
- 8 Easy Card Tricks for Kids to Delight and Amaze
- 12 Fun Card Games Loved By Kids
- 10 Easy Magic Tricks for Kids to Master
- 5 Easy Card Tricks for Kids aged 8 to 12 to Learn and Perform
Save These Ideas for Later
Found a few magic books your young magician would love? Bookmark this page or save it to your parenting ideas board so you have it handy next birthday or Christmas list.
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