I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where we can post walk around ideas. So... I guess I'll go first!

The morning paper....

Requirements, a small suitcase, (An old fashioned roller skate case works great)
A roll of TP
a Tp wall mount holder

Paint the words the morning roll on the lid of the case. mount the dispenser and paper inside on the bottom so when you open the lid, you see the paper.
Go up to someone and ask them of they have seen the morning paper yet? then show it to them and walk away to the next person.

Nice, Scruffy - but should it read "Morning Paper" instead
of "Morning Roll?"

Shave the Whales -- build a big huge disposable razor from
swimming noodles or other crafts material. Wear a sign that
says "Shave The Whales"


Shoe Shine -- I carry an old doctor's bag with a sign on the
side that says "Shoe Shine" or "Free Shoe Shine"
Ask a spectator if they'd like a shoe shine -- reach into the bag
and pull out a flashlight and "shine" it on their shoes.

I use the shoe shine line, gets good laughs, if you've got an older person have them shine the light on you and say "You Light Up My Life"

I saw this some where, a suit case with GrandMa's Bloomers painted on the outside, and inside have floweres in plastic pots mounted inside and ask some one if they've seen grandma's bloomers.....

I keep a small mirrow in my pocket

"Oh I just made a new friend, the nices person you'd ever want ta meet, can I show you Her/him?" then I have them look in the mirror.

Make a "Ring" large enough to go over your head. I used a large foam florists wreath ring, And added a styrofoam Ball to represent a jewel. Paint the ring gold, and paint the jewel whatever color you like, (I used pearl).

Wear it around you neck as a ring around your collar!

Or, walk up to a participant, Usually an older kid who isn't afraid of you, put the ring around there neck and say" Say! I could help but notice you might have a laundry problem. I see you have ring around the collar." Then produce a whisk broom from your pocket. "Have you tried whisk?"
remove the ring and keep walking. 8)

Needed: One toilet seat. A case large enough to carry it in, or a large burlap type sack.

Put seat in bag or case.

Walk u to someone standing at a parade, or if you in a circus, find someone with a really lousy view. "Pssst, hey buddy, I couldn't help but notice you look pretty uncomfortable, And can't see very well".Note, if they are standing say something to the effect of "You look tired, would you like to sit down?" etc. "Tell ya what I'ma goin' ta do... I'm going to offer to you at no small expense; the best seat in the house. Sound interested?" Here you go! Then,show them the toilet seat.

Here's on I use during parades...


Needed: A small throw rug attached to a piece of rope. A small broom.

Gag: Drag the rug (using the rope) behind you. Every so often stop and sweep some debris under it. Walk on down the road and repeat.

Get it, SWEEPING IT UNDER THE RUG.

Hey Scruff;

Good Idea having this as a catagory (If I have it right). I really dig seeing these great walk- around ideas. I am still self concious in my clowning (I'm always afraid someone will tell me "you suck" as a clown) so I find that walk-arounds (and giving out safety pops) safer -at least for now and I like doing it.
More,More-I'm still not satisfied.

One gag I used during a Parade was to hold a balloon in my hand by what appeared to the the string. Actually, I am hanging onto the Balloon and I have an extra piece of string hanging on it to LOOK like it is all attached.
Then when I hand the balloon to someone, they grab the string and I walk away with the Balloon. All they get is the string. I was pretty worried that people would be offended, but EVERYONE got the joke right away. After all, they ARE dealing with a clown.

Great idea Radio, and welcome to the happiest forum on earth! :wink:

I just wanted to say hi Radio also.



HI HI HI :D :D

Hello,
I made a big pair of binoculars using 3 different sized cans - 2 of each size of course, painted black I used glue and wire to hook them together I added foam ball eyes and ran a coat hanger through leaving a little bend of it on the side so I can move the eyeballs up and down.
They always get a great reaction! I was at a very large event last fall and they made an announcement on stage they were looking for someone I yelled I'll find him and looked around with them. Not only did I get a great laugh I got my name mentioned on the loud speaker. Followed by applause oh what a pretty sound....
:oops:

The binoculars sound like a cool idea!

We used some styrofoam and some doll eyes and eyelashes
and made some "eyeballs" that were glued to the lens covers
from some real binoculars. We used it in a Public Service
Annouoncment (PSA) dealing with keeping an eye out for
bad weather (tornado season here).

Ashes

Love it Jewls! I'm off to start saving tin cans!

Cool

Love the wire idea to move the eyes around, how creative!!!!

Like Scruff said, I'm on the search for metal cans myself now...:)

I use an old deck of playing card that get too old for my magic tricks. During a pparade I would walk up to people and ask them if they would like one of my cards. When they say yes I reach into my pocket and hand them a playing card and walk off.

I always tell them that I am not playing with a "full deck".

lol love it

I am working on getting a trash can attached to a lawn mower body and painting Horse brand Tobacco on it. As I push it along I scoop us horse apples and dump them in the can. Have to admit I snagged the idea from the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade when I was a young un.

Free Shakes!

You need
-drink tray
-bunch of wax paper cups with lids and straws...like the kind they give you your drink in at McDonalds.
-small nuts and bolts
-sign that says Free Shakes

Poke holes in the bottom of the cups. Drill corresponding holes in the tray. Use the small nuts and bolts to attach the cups to the tray. Then put the lids on the cups and poke the straws in, so it looks like you have a tray of drinks.

side note: I tried gluing the cups to the tray...but wax paper doesn't glue that well. Most of mine fell off eventually. The nuts and bolts work much better. Also, you can use permanent plastic cups, but they can look phony. I like to grab a stack of wax ones from the nearest fast food place...they're usually happy to give them to you.

Anyway, put the Free Shakes sign around your neck. Walk around going "FREE shakes! Get your FREE shakes! Who wants a FREE shake!" (then, when someone says yes) "you want a free shake?" (they say yes)
Then approach the person and at the final moment, extend your hand to shake and say "How are ya? Nice to meet ya." At the same time as you extend your hand, drop the tray to the side revealing the gag.

I've noticed the bigger and louder you are, the better this gag works. Great for a "big lovable dummy" character.

Tried, tested, and true. One of my favorite parade gags.

good one

One gag I used during a Parade was to hold a balloon in my hand by what appeared to the the string. Actually, I am hanging onto the Balloon and I have an extra piece of string hanging on it to LOOK like it is all attached.
Then when I hand the balloon to someone, they grab the string and I walk away with the Balloon. All they get is the string. I was pretty worried that people would be offended, but EVERYONE got the joke right away. After all, they ARE dealing with a clown.
I love it!


I like the sweeping it under the rug too....very clever.

My uncle was, I'm now convinced, a clown at heart. When I was ten he invited me to spent the day with him at his vegetable stand if I would help him shave the eggplants. He said that after they are picked they grow hair all over and must be shaved before they are sold. I went fully prepared to shave eggplants all day. I even borrowed some of my dad's shaving cream.

He once asked me if I wanted a slider. When I said yes, he gave me a big lick on my face. I wouldn't recommend that one though.

Water baloons on myself haved brought laughs when I throw them up and try to catch them in my mouth.

For Doc I have a walk-around called "I" chart. I have a sheet of paper and I printed "I's" on it getting smaller on each line and more and more going down.

I walk up to people and ask if they have seem my "I" chart.

Jasper has a big rope which he drags and on his suitcase it says Flea trainer.
When we have a stop I act like the flea don't want to move so either I or another clown boots him uin the butt and we go on.

And don't forget the empty picture frame for a "frame up"

I think I've posted this one before but here it goes again for those who might not have seen it.

Find an old walking cane.
Go to the local Costume/Novelty store (or search online) and where they sell Rubber Chickens, you will find Rubber Fish
Tie the fish onto the cane with a shoestring so that it will be seen from a distance.

You now have a CANE POLE, suitable for any Hobo/Tramp Clown.

One could conceal the fish between their coat sleeve and their body and when someone says, "Look, he walks with a cane", you move your arm allowing the fish to fall and say. "Nope,,,this is my CANE POLE and I'm a going fishin'."

~SAM

My favorite walkaround is similar to the balloon one mentioned but I carry a vase of flowers instead. In the back of the vase is my supply of green pipecleaners (stems) . I sewed an elastic loop to a bloom to attach to one of my fingers. This assures that the bloom goes with me and frees my grip for grabbing the next stem. By zig-zagging the street I can continuously do this without the upcoming victim seeing what I am doing. I smeel my flower, spot my "love" and go to them to present them with a flower. They hold the stem as I walk away with the bloom.

Another version to the balloon gag is to use a bouquet of flowers. The stems are colored straws. Ask if someone would like one and as they grab for one they end up with the straw. It’s the same concept as the balloon gag. You can carry extra straws in your pocket to get you through an entire parade.

straws are cheaper than pipecleaners too!

I've done the same thing with Klown noses on pipe cleaners. made to look like a bunch of flowers. carried a sign that read, "Klown noses, freshly picked."
It always goes over well.

I may have to use that clown nose one this year, that was good
:applause:

That would be cute to use for a gospel message. The message would be ;trying to minimize or hide our sins by "sweeping it under the rug". After you've got a big pile of trash going on there, as another clown has been out looking for certain things, and it's just obvious you can't hid it anymore, (Your sins will find you out), &(what's done in the dark shall be brought to the light), Now other's all come out with big flashlights helping the clown with the lost goods find there stuff, by then the first "under the rug" clown makes a confession and the message comes forth. God is able and just to forgive us of all out sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness. How does that sound? MP

How about... A female clown holds up a pen (a pin is too pointy to carry around)a "pen-up girl"or guess what this is.... point up to the sky, "point-up girl" a Or...hold anything UP is a Hold-up!

This is a hot idea. Thanks I haven't had tears of laughter in a long time...

Just Jim...

One on my favorite walk-arounds is my dog "Frank"

It is an invisible dog leash with a plastic hot dog in a bun attached to it ( I found it at Toys R US) I tell everybody that I went to a pet shop and asked for a weiner dog and that is what they gave me. His name is Frank. At first I thought that I was getting ripped off, but he is quiet and doesn't eat much and he has really cute buns! If they want to see one of the trick he does, I throw it on the ground and tell Frank to play dead or stay - and he doesn't move. Or I them that he loves to be scratched behind the ears - and when they do, I tell that that it is the wrong end and they better wash their hands. There are so many word plays with it. I get so many laughs with it!

I tried the "shoeshine" gag tonight on my sister. I smiled and asked her "Would you like me to shine your shoes?" She said to me "You're up to something." I giggled. She then said "What's up your sleeve". I said "Deodorant". She said "I mean what's in your mind." I said "My brains". She said "You're not funny." :oops: She the informed me that her shoes are sneakers, and you can not shine sneakers. I said, "Your boots then". And was then notified that her boots are suede, and you can't shine them either. :( Then just when I thought that the routine was going to be a disaster, she delivered the perfect straight line. She told me, "If you want to shine shoes, shine your own. That way if you ruin them, it will be your pair and not mine." So I said with determination, All right I'll do it. I'll show you." I marched up to the foyer, picked up my shoes, set them down in front of her, and said "I will now shine my shoes." I reached into my pocket, pulled out a pocket flashlight, pointed it at my shoes, and turned it on. "I knew it was a trick!" I knew it!", she exclaimed. I asked her, "Was it good"?:???: And she smiled, and said "yes", and then laughed.:D P.S. If you are a clown minister, you can mention afterwords that the light of the world is Jesus, and that we are to be a reflection of Him. Just like the flashlight reflects off the shoes.

Very good Ying-Yag! Her replies were some great answers. I loved the deodarant bit.

This is a GREAT gag...I've used this myself and had people roaring with laughter at it. GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Radio

Yin Yang, that sound's exactly like my sister!

Also I love the flower/ballon bit. I am going to have to try it.

These are brilliant. A great help too :)

I do the Shoe Shine bit all the time at parades. Big People usually get a kick out of it. Most kids don't, because they don't understand the whole polish thing.

I do the Shoe Shine bit all the time at parades. Big People usually get a kick out of it. Most kids don't, because they don't understand the whole polish thing.

How do you polish chuck Taylors ant way?

At the time I think they used the uniforms of the Boston Celtics. These Days...

Pattycake and I were in a parade this year and I had my invisible dog Spot. When people asked if they could pet him I would go up to them and as they were petting Spot I would make dog noises, as I continued on Spot would spy a Fire Plug or a telephone pole and would drag me to it so he could releive himself, I would tap my foot and make motions for him to hurry up. When we came to the turning point at the main street and there was a police car parked there to block traffic, with several officers standing around. Well you know spot just had to go over and releive himself on the tire this got a big laugh from the crowd and got me a spot on the nightly news.

Bye the way Spot gets out of doggy jail next week.

here's one I used when hired for walk around at a market:

Needed: Bag and roller skate with a 20 c tag on it.

I walk up to people and talk about shoppers and how I am on the lookout for cheapskates. Tell them that I bagged one this morning.

Then pull out the roller skate with the tag clearly showing.

I just found this and it had me rolling.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20071230/capt.6e62b4641f024e30a394138c0b317e2b.new_year_s__ _key_west_flan101.jpg?x=400&y=328&sig=Smf2W7agAOpQ0aFZrHHhBA--

Imagine chasing your Weiner Dog down the parade route.

Aaawwwwwww...

I suppose you would have to name him Oscar.

Or you could call him Mr. Meyer.

I think...(assuming it was a HE) I would just call "him" weenie for short!

There is always his German cousin, Frank..... Mr. Furter if you must be formal.

I heard a story once on the clown yahoo group I was in, about a clown at a fair who saw a woman with a weiner dog, and so he went back to his car got his over sized hot dog foam buns, and then followed the dog around the fair trying to get it to step into the buns... with much insuing hilarity.

The pigeon gag

My favourite routine. I have an old (1980's) joystick control from a huge old computer.

Pigeons are quite fearless of humans and will only fly away if really feeling threatened. Most of the time, they will simply walk away from you as you approach them.

As you walk up to an individual pigeon, use your joystick (control stick) to look as though you are in remote control of the pigeon. Simply follow the pigeon wriggling the controller and looking as though you're concentrating hard.

You can offer instructions to the bird, just after it has changed direction, so if it veers to the left say "Over to the left now".

If the bird does eventually fly off - lean back with the controller and 'manage' its flight.

Great fun to do and always goes down really well with a crowd.

That's a great gag, Eek.

One on my favorite walk-arounds is my dog "Frank"

It is an invisible dog leash with a plastic hot dog in a bun attached to it ( I found it at Toys R US) I tell everybody that I went to a pet shop and asked for a weiner dog and that is what they gave me. His name is Frank. At first I thought that I was getting ripped off, but he is quiet and doesn't eat much and he has really cute buns! If they want to see one of the trick he does, I throw it on the ground and tell Frank to play dead or stay - and he doesn't move. Or I them that he loves to be scratched behind the ears - and when they do, I tell that that it is the wrong end and they better wash their hands. There are so many word plays with it. I get so many laughs with it!

Hey Gumball, I bought that leash also and just the other day I finally was able to find something to fit inside . A rubber Duck (dog toy) I tell everybody it is my new puppy and his name is Duke. This one little boy asked do you spell that Duke or Duck..... I thought that was cute.. it has a birthmark on its back that looks like a target...They even let me take him into McDonalds because it was thundering outside and he gets very afraid during storms!!!!

Haven't seen you around in awhile Hopscotch. Glad you posted and look forward to seeing you at the Spring Fling.

These are a couple of great ones especially since it's a election year.

Take two pieces of Foam board and build a picket type sign. One side reads "Vote for me!" The other side reads "SEND A REAL CLOWN TO WASHINGTON!!" just flip the sign back and forth so people get to see both sides.


Also find a large heavy duty cardboard type barrel. paint it white, with the words "political analyst" on both sides of the barrel and mount wheels or a hand type cart to facilitate pushing it. Toss a garden shovel and and old push broom it the barrel.
.... Follow behind the politicians:p

Meet Scooter!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/boosterbaby/100_9681.jpg


Scooter is my pet skunk.
He has be descented. He can't smell a think with the clothes pin! I've taken him to a couple parades and great response and we went to the county fair. He was a big hit. Scooter is mounted to a rebuilt invisible dog leash. The support rod is 1/4 inch steel rolled to the correct curve with a flat plate welded to the leash mount. He is held to a vintage roller skate with black zip ties, you really can't see them in the photo.
Back in September, I used Scooter in a parade where a bull dog was happily sitting on the curb with his owner watching the parade pass. As soon as Scooter came in to view. the dog looked at the prop, shuddered a little bit, got up and moved behind his owner... And very carefully observed from a safe distance.
..... I think it was the voice of experience!

A variation on a theme: I got my first set of juggling clubs today in Seoul... hehehe... I just had a thought: you could juggle teddy bears, and call them your juggling "cubs"... but that is not the point, the point is the clubs might great pidgion landing and taxi-ing wands. Let some crumbs out on the sly in front of a flock of pidgeons on the town square and there is lots of fun to be had!

Have a board with plastic whales glued on it. The sign says "Save the Whales! Collect the whole set!"

SaphireSue, I loved your mirror idea and I set out to find a compact mirror to carry in my pocket. But,I was pleasantly surprised to find a mirror at a consignment shop that looked like a big lollypop. I took it with me while clowning at church. I would take it out and show people my big lollypop and then tell them that I have a picture of my friend on the other side and asked if they wanted to see. Of course they did and when I showed them, it was a mirror and they saw themselves. I had a lot of friends that day. :D

Another similar idea is to take one of those metal mint or Secret's containers with the attached lid. Paint it and add lettering like "Cutest Thing in the World" or "God's Precious Creation." Then affix a mirror on the inside of the lid along with another message on the bottom of the container (God Loves you, or You're so cute) Go up to somebody and ask them if they want to see one of God's Precious Creations (or whatever you've written on the front) Open it up and hold it in front of them and they see themself!

Hello,
I made a big pair of binoculars using 3 different sized cans - 2 of each size of course, painted black I used glue and wire to hook them together I added foam ball eyes and ran a coat hanger through leaving a little bend of it on the side so I can move the eyeballs up and down.
They always get a great reaction! I was at a very large event last fall and they made an announcement on stage they were looking for someone I yelled I'll find him and looked around with them. Not only did I get a great laugh I got my name mentioned on the loud speaker. Followed by applause oh what a pretty sound....
:oops:
I'd love to see a picture of the binoculars!

~Cuddles~

I did the mirror thing in a brown lunch sack...I went up to some one and said I caught and angel and shes in my bag would you like to see her? Also flick the bag once in a while so it will look like she is trying to get out. When the person looks in the bag they see themselves...smile and say "I told you I saw an angel!"
Squiggles

I used Donut seeds today, Had Loads of fun, Sally lives on the Funny Farm, down in Silly Hallow over in Yonder. I talk about my farm and how I now just started growing Donuts, Yes Donuts I even have Donuts seeds to prove it.

:pie: that sounds like a good trick for a kids magic show. doughnut seeds. haha

Sorry I'm late guys...

A walk around that I've used and gotten a good repsonse to is to take about a dozen balloons and fill only 3 or 4 with helium, the rest with plain air and tie strings to all of them. Then I hold the non-helium balloons by where they are tied off at and let the helium balloons float above the rest.

When I meet a child I offer them a helium balloon. If an older sibling asks for one, or sometimes I'll offer one to Mommy or Daddy, I give them a non-helium balloon, making sure to hold by where it is tied off while they grab the string. Once they have the string I let go of the balloon and it flops to the down.

You can do the same gig with all helium balloons too. You just have one balloon tied to your finger and hold a non-connected piece of string in the same hand. Offer that to the crowd. When the person grabs the string you walk away still "holding" the balloon and all they have left is a string.

This is similar to Radio's balloon trick. Instead of a balloon I use an artificial flower with the stem put into a drinking straw. I hold onto the flower and just a little bit of the top of the straw. I offer it to someone- with a little speech about how deserving they are or something similar.... they reach out for the flower in the straw and at the same time, I pull out the flower and they are left holding the straw. People look quizzically at the straw...like What Just Happened?...and I grin and show them I have the flower and then quickly walk off to the sound of laughter.:D

I just wanted to say thank you for this wonderful thread. 8-) I have learned so much and got so many new ideas here. I especially like the tricks with the flowers (http://www.serenataflowers.com/) and the helium/non-helium balloons. I bet people love it :-)
Unfortunately I am quite new at clowning so I can so far share no ideas that weren't already mentioned. :cry:

Unfortunately I am quite new at clowning so I can so far share no ideas that weren't already mentioned. :cry:

Jasmin, that's another beautiful thing about Clown Forum: Nobody's keeping track of what advice they're dishin' out and/or receiving. It's just one big happy clown community, where everybody shares what they learn.

Hey TJ Where in VA do you live? I live in Abingdon- as far south and as far west as you can go without leaving the state.

Jasmin, that's another beautiful thing about Clown Forum: Nobody's keeping track of what advice they're dishin' out and/or receiving. It's just one big happy clown community, where everybody shares what they learn.

Let's see, it's Pickles who offered that insight. Alright, one more tick mark for Pickles.

Did I say that?

need:
1 pot & ladle
2 pool noodles
3 rubber chickens

cut your noodles to fit your pot with them just comming out of the top and then put the chickens in it

walk around and ask if anyone would like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup!

I made an invisable dog leash then I put a large rubber trout on it!

so it looks like Im walking my fish! every one loves that! when kids ask me my fishes name I tell them I call him Dog.

with some practiced wrist flips I can even make the fish do some simple jumps and things.

I recently updated him to an animated fish using the motor and wire from an old toy, now he can wag his tail fin when were walking!

another gag I do for walk arounds is blowing my top! I have a flashcotton shooter I made that fits in my hat, I have the barrel going through the top of my hat, at an appropriate moment like when some one tries to grab my nose, I say joingly Im going to blow my top then I activate the flash pot! I have to pay close attention to my surroundings though.

Hi Radio: Welcome & A great idea with the free shakes

As I was reading this, I was thinking that you had the shake cups filled with nuts and bolts so that when you handed the tray to the person, they could SHAKE the tray to make the noise.

OH! and the other idea I had was to make the wax cups more sturdy is to put the fako plastic cups INSIDE the wax cups to support the cups more. You can then attach the plastic cups to the bottom of the tray for more support and the wax cups won't get ruined as quickly.

Anybody have an idea I could use with a 7 ft. long paintbrush prop? I made it for my facepainting display but I'd love to use it in a walk around.

Anybody have an idea I could use with a 7 ft. long paintbrush prop? I made it for my facepainting display but I'd love to use it in a walk around.

Artsy,

Could you use your large brush and pretend to paint the horiizon or a sunset?

maybe get a big bucket of "red paint" and be ready to "paint the town red"

One of my favorites is a automobile grill with a rubber chicken attached. "fresh grilled chicken" mine is a cadillac grill with an attached sign stating "cadillac grill chicken. It also attatches to the front of my scooter for parades. The effect of "hawking" the product is very effective. This walkaround has won paradibility a few times.

Also a chicken bucket from one of your chain restaurants along with a sandwich board advertizing "free chicken dinner" at this point hand them a kernel of corn from your bucket.

The trout is funny! I'm wondering how to make an "invisible dog leash???"


I made an invisable dog leash then I put a large rubber trout on it!

so it looks like Im walking my fish! every one loves that! when kids ask me my fishes name I tell them I call him Dog.

with some practiced wrist flips I can even make the fish do some simple jumps and things.

I recently updated him to an animated fish using the motor and wire from an old toy, now he can wag his tail fin when were walking!

another gag I do for walk arounds is blowing my top! I have a flashcotton shooter I made that fits in my hat, I have the barrel going through the top of my hat, at an appropriate moment like when some one tries to grab my nose, I say joingly Im going to blow my top then I activate the flash pot! I have to pay close attention to my surroundings though.

You can usually buy them for less that ten bucks.....

Yeah just buy one. I speak as a person who made one. It worked but not very well.

I agree it is easier to buy one I paid $7.95 for mine at a costume shop.

The trout is funny! I'm wondering how to make an "invisible dog leash???"


go to a supply store like Lowes, buy hollow core rope, get a small steel rod and thread it through the rope, I used wire ties to secure my loop for the handle then put a dog clip on the bottom end of the rope, next secure the rod to the collor and there you go!

Just wanted to say thank you for all the ideas... I used the shoe shine with the flashlight.. everyone loved it, especially the older generation. Also the flowers with the straws..and I found green straws at the dollar store! (SCOREEEE) The favorite one was a bug catcher with the letters "Z" on it. I took them and tied them to the bug catcher and told everyone I was trying to catch some "z's"... some of the kids were like "HUH?" and parents and I would explain it.. the adults loved it though!

I also take a feather duster and walk around dusting people off.. its fun when you catch them off guard! The kids will start laughing at you too. Another thing I was using was when it was warm... a spray bottle with cold water and a squeegy... almost everyone loved being sprayed and when there was a bald man i would pretend to squeegy his head. I would walk around with the towel, spray bottle and sqeegy saying "hey they hired me to wash windows... there are no windows here!! What are they thinking?!!"

I used to walk with my invisible dog and when people would comment on him I would say "Oh no! he's escaped!" and run around looking for him, I would enlist help "can you help me find my dog? He's small and purple with green ears and pink spots and 47 legs and 3 tails and he's invisible, tell me if you see him"

I used to walk with my invisible dog and when people would comment on him I would say "Oh no! he's escaped!" and run around looking for him, I would enlist help "can you help me find my dog? He's small and purple with green ears and pink spots and 47 legs and 3 tails and he's invisible, tell me if you see him"


that's hilarious! I love it! My invisible dog leash is so heavy that after 20 or so mins, my arms are killing me. But I love your idea about losing the dog. Too cute!

I used to walk with my invisible dog and when people would comment on him I would say "Oh no! he's escaped!" and run around looking for him, I would enlist help "can you help me find my dog? He's small and purple with green ears and pink spots and 47 legs and 3 tails and he's invisible, tell me if you see him"

You should put up "lost dog" posters with a picture of it!

You should put up "lost dog" posters with a picture of it!

I totally should.

They would look like this

---------------------------
LOST: invisible dog





please call Shoestring the clown
(phone number)
-----------------------------

*for the sleepy, you'll notice the picture looks just like him!

Just make sure to frame the photo.

Just make sure to frame the photo.

I have a framed photo in my living room of a cow eating grass.

People say "I don't see a cow" and I say "yeah, he ate all the grass and left".

I have it matted and everything.

You're weird.

(Don't you know cows are supposed to SMOKE grass?)

I'm not weird, I'm gifted. Besides, who are you to tell cows what they are SUPPOSED to do? You aren't a cow. :P

I made a clown-ie 1918 BI-PLANE that I am in while wearing roller skates and got my zune (mp-3 player) patched threw speakers with dog fighting sounds.. while I am in control of plane going from side to side...... doing shtick.. ouch ohhhhh nooooo cant you see I am in the middle of a dog fight

What about spray painting a foam brick gold, add some eyes and fins... now you have a gold fish..

Get toy fish, paint the face...clown fish

If someone asks for a tip, give them a Q-tip, or even a toy "Q".

If these are too corny, blame it on the chicken dinner I just ate.

I made a clown-ie 1918 BI-PLANE that I am in while wearing roller skates and got my zune (mp-3 player) patched threw speakers with dog fighting sounds.. while I am in control of plane going from side to side...... doing shtick.. ouch ohhhhh nooooo cant you see I am in the middle of a dog fight

You need a couple of foam hotdogs on sticks behind you... maybe even put little boxing gloves on them...

Get one of those jumbo toy flies, a toy knight in armor... include it in a life-size "operation" gag, and you have a fly-by-knight operation.

Going back to the 'invisible dogs leash' (or 'leads' as we say in English) ...

I often use a balloon dog leash - a simple loop in a 260 balloon will do - you can sometimes put a balloon dog in for fun.

Did you know that all balloon dogs have the same name?

"Poppy"

Welcome back Eek! Hope everything is going well for you.

LOL......invisible dog leash........let me tell you what I did with that! I put a foam hot dog in mine......then got a stuffed wiener dog and put it in a bun........what a riot!! If you get the foam hot dog (in the roll), just take it apart and use them separately.

Punkin

I use an old deck of playing card that get too old for my magic tricks. During a pparade I would walk up to people and ask them if they would like one of my cards. When they say yes I reach into my pocket and hand them a playing card and walk off.

I always tell them that I am not playing with a "full deck".
hey doc that,s a good ideal but you could put information on the playing cards you hand out and they would have it

A movie says more than words:

YouTube - Martin Forget - Boodschapper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlD_4xgseqM)

Thank you for this idea, I tried it today and it was a good one.

There are so many, but one I found gets a lot of laughs is a can of peanuts, that pops out ... I go up to kids who are with their parents and take them aside and say "hey ... would you like to play a trick on your mom/dad?" the child of course says, "yeah", so I tell them to go up and ask their mom/dad if they want some nuts. The parents always oblige, everyone laughs and the child thinks they really played a trick on their parents. I put the nut can back together and do it over and over.

Try that same gag with peanuts or candy can and have 2 cans exactly alike, and in one put in candy or nuts when you offer it to them, they are a little bit gun shy, say there really good, then if you don’t want any you wont mind if I have a piece, and then open it and take one out close it up and do the switch, are you sure then they will take one wam bam boom you got um

While at the circus yesterday a hobo clown followed me around a bit....I turned around quickly and he jumped....I did this on purpose because I knew people were watching and it would be funny, he asked if he could have some of my cotton candy and of course I said "yes" (he looked so sad!) he then turned around and pulled a small newspaper funnel out of his pocket and yelled "FREE COTTON CANDY! GET YOUR FREE COTTON CANDY HERE!"

I laughed so hard......

Don't know if it is a good idea to do to anyone, but I thought it was genius.

That's cute. I like it.

I like it , Bgrdnz, It reminds me of Mitch Freddes kisses gag.

Thanks for another great idea.

That's cute. I like it.

KnUte walked around with a paint tray and a paint roller, each with dried paint showing and had a sign pinned to his costume reading "FACE PAINTING...FREE." It got lots of laughs.

Great thread, lots of wonderful ideas!!! Love this face painting one!! Can't wait to do my first parade!!!

I like to push around my vent doll in a pram with a little hole in the back. Now I can push my 'baby' around, go to baby competitions etc, and still be able to talk to the puppet.
Dodo my bird figure vent is also a great gag prop to just walk around with. He grabs peoples hair, hats or look 'check' them out, suddenly shout 'Hallo!' at somebody passing and we can also talk now and then.
The best is my 'live' rats. Called them chachahochi's (clownrats in clownish). The rats is as big as your palm. May be able to gat them as cat toys. I can make them jump back and forth, run up my arm or body, do tricks in my hands, and I can shoot them as if they jump and go sit on some big ladies boobs.
I carry a squirting bottle when I do my invisible dog. Now he can wee-wee on the peoples legs, with some great apoligies afterwards. He can sit, lie down, roll over ( got to pull his 'tail' ), ask somebody to pull the 'tail' the second time, they always try to grab the harness, tell them quickly to stop, the dog will bite them, just pull the 'tail'. He can jump, but then wee. You can't see him but you can feel him. But as they do, he will wee on their arm. Let him walk close to somebodies ankle, grab quickly with some fingers and 'you' bark suddenly. Chase the naughty dog away.

Here's on I use during parades...


Needed: A small throw rug attached to a piece of rope. A small broom.

Gag: Drag the rug (using the rope) behind you. Every so often stop and sweep some debris under it. Walk on down the road and repeat.

Get it, SWEEPING IT UNDER THE RUG.


I have done a variation of this gag during shows I've done. Move throughout the crowd with a small broom or dust brush and a dust pan (usually small) and get people moving as you dust under their feet, seats, hats and so on. Then I carry the invisible dirt to a rug I have at stage area. I run back and forth a bunch of times. It is usually very well received, and people get a clean seat!:seltzer:

I love almost all of them!

I have some ideas, and since I don't have time to look thru 12 pages of ideas already posted I may be duplicating someone else's comic genius. If so, I thought of it first, they just used a fortune teller to steal them.

1. Sign says "Free wireless calls." Anyone takes you up on the offer, yell out "HERE KITTY KITTY KITTY" or some other call. You can also yell "5 5 5 1 2 3 4!!!!"

2. I want to get an empty paint can and either a paint roller or the largest soft bristle paint brush I can find and offer to do face painting.

3. Sign : "Free Autographs!" Have any takes sign their own name then hand them that piece of paper.

4. I thought of an accessory for a toy fish used in the "invisible dog" leash... get a snorkel, and attach a (closed) water bottle upside down on the end of it.

Dusty wrote:

2. I want to get an empty paint can and either a paint roller or the largest soft bristle paint brush I can find and offer to do face painting.

I just did this one - what a fun idea! :applause: I went to the local hardware/lumber yard and found a kit that included a small rolling tray and roller for a few bucks. Then I painted the bottom of it (rainbow of course) and laminated the sign "Face Painting $10.00, $5, $1 and 50 cents (all amounts crossed out) and FREE stuck on there.... I can't wait to use this at my next meet and greet or parade! Or even while a fellow clown does the real face painting!

I posted this one already on another thread but I thought I should post it on this one, too. I learned it (as I have many things) from watching Marx Brothers films. You have a deck of cards and you walk up to a spectator and ask them to pick a card. They automatically think you're going to show them a trick. When they pick a card tell them, "Keep it. Don't worry, I have 51 left!" This also works in reverse, if someone is trying to do a "pick a card" trick for you, pick one and stick it in your pocket, tell them thanks and walk away.

I posted this one already on another thread but I thought I should post it on this one, too. I learned it (as I have many things) from watching Marx Brothers films. You have a deck of cards and you walk up to a spectator and ask them to pick a card. They automatically think you're going to show them a trick. When they pick a card tell them, "Keep it. Don't worry, I have 51 left!" This also works in reverse, if someone is trying to do a "pick a card" trick for you, pick one and stick it in your pocket, tell them thanks and walk away.

Sounds like what I like to do if someone asks me if I know what time it is. I look at my watch, say "Yes I do, thanks!" and walk off. Or if I don't have my watch, say "no, what time IS it?" If they ask "Pardon me, do you have the time?" A good response could be "For what?"

You can offer someone a free washer & dryer :o)

You will need mini clothespins ( I bought these at Walmart for a couple of bucks and there were 25 in the bag- I think)

and some small washers from the hardware department.

Open the clothespin and stick a washer into it. I keep a bunch of these in my balloon busking bag and offer them once in a while to a parent as I am doing balloons at restaurants.

This usually gets a good laugh and of course they can keep them. I just tell them that it will make them smile each time they see it. I thought about writing my clown name and phone number on them although it would be tiny but would still get my info on there, or at least an email address.

Ok I had two to add but I got distracted and forgot one but heres the one I remember....its not for everyone though. Some people think its mean.....
(Might not be great for walk around but will be fabby at thanksgiving!!)

Keep a bottle of water and ask people if they want to see "hairs dancing".

Pour a small puddle of water on the ground and ask one of the spectators for two hairs. Very very precisely pick two hairs (they usually pluck out way more than two) and lay the two hairs side by side in the water. Tell them to watch very closely because the water will make the hairs move and appear to be dancing.
As everyone closes in to watch the hair...........

slap the water.
http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20)

Ok I had two to add but I got distracted and forgot one but heres the one I remember....its not for everyone though. Some people think its mean.....
(Might not be great for walk around but will be fabby at thanksgiving!!)

Keep a bottle of water and ask people if they want to see "hairs dancing".

Pour a small puddle of water on the ground and ask one of the spectators for two hairs. Very very precisely pick two hairs (they usually pluck out way more than two) and lay the two hairs side by side in the water. Tell them to watch very closely because the water will make the hairs move and appear to be dancing.
As everyone closes in to watch the hair...........

slap the water.
http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20)

. . .and run like Hell!

I made a "Domino Pizza" with aerosol foam insulation (a little goes a loooong way) on a cardboard circle. While the foam was still wet, i place several dominos on it. Once it was dry,I painted the crust and sauce/ The pizza looks real enough to eat. Domino's Pizza gave me a new clean pizza box for free. Great fun at a parade!

Miss Pickles has one of these...really cute. I'll have to try to make one. Thanks!

The foam is also great for "Free Shakes", and giant cupcakes. There are two kinds of the foam. One is a solvent base and once you use it, you should use it all or the tip clogs up. The other is a water base, and the tube can be ceaned out. There is also high expansion and low expansion. I get mine at Home Depot or Lowe's.

Would this be EXPANDABLE FOAM INSULATION that you speak of? I am sweating and experiencing heart palpitations just thinking about the stuff.

Would this be EXPANDABLE FOAM INSULATION that you speak of? I am sweating and experiencing heart palpitations just thinking about the stuff.

Start practicing. were expecting a demo at the spring fling.

The foam is made to fill in gaps around pipes and door frames. It comes out of the can like whipped cream (but VERY sticky) and expands to fill in the space, then hardens like styrofoam. Wear old clothes and cover your work area. Experiment with the amount to dispense to see how much it expands. The dried foam is carvable to some extent. Ask for it at the hardware store. It's Great Stuff!
Sherri

Start practicing. were expecting a demo at the spring fling.
Better bring a crow bar so you can pry her fingers off the car's steering wheel.
Sara K.

It comes out of the can like whipped cream (but VERY sticky) and expands to fill in the space, then hardens like styrofoam. Wear old clothes and cover your work area. Experiment with the amount to dispense to see how much it expands. The dried foam is carvable to some extent. Ask for it at the hardware store. It's Great Stuff!
Sherri

Gosh, Carlee, I wish you'd posted this information BEFORE I decided to play with the stuff and determined that the rubber gloves were a nuisance. I've since learned my lesson, but not without a couple of major fiascos and almost having to visit the ER.

I think acetone nail polish remover helps clean up mishaps and skin contact, just don't use a cotton ball. ALWAYS read the label on the can before using a new product! Have fun with it.

Did you hear that, Pickles? Read the instructions! lol!

Just when you thought we were past the foam insulation jokes!

Carlee,what kind and colors of paint did you use?

Sorry...accidental grown...using cell phone to view forum...hit tiny button bad eyes. JiNgLeS

You can remove accidental groans by clicking "remove your groan"

I wish it worked for accidental laughs and thank yous, too. I've accidentally laughed during serious discussions and regretted it.

I accidentally thanked someone who insulted me last week LOL
Oh well, a lesson in humility. :-P
http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20)

I use craft acrylic paints. A golden tan color for the crust, and red/brown for the sauce with some yellowish color for shredded cheese. I'l try to post a pic. Have fun with it!

For a walk-around suggest wearing very comfortable shoes.

For a clown funny bone, any kind of plastic bone and a red nose. I used to apply Groucho Marx glasses, but local people are already forgetting more recent comedians like Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, and Soupy Sales. But a red nose is still universal for a clown and easy to find.

My brain just hit me with another idea...ouch...apologize if repeated because have little time right now to check all 14 pages of good ideas...suggest placing a green capital letter "T" into a tea kettle, with string of lid attached to green "T". Then ask person whom sneezes if they would like some Green Tea. The blow off is declare seems too hot right now and will be around later when the tea has cooled down.

I don't know if anyone has posted this yet, but you know the foam "Free-B's"? You can also go up to someone and say "You look like you have a cold. I have something that will help." You then pull out an "X" and dust it off. "Here, have a Clean-X!"

We have had major ice storms this winter and now that the snow is melting everyone is complaining of all the tree debree that they have to clean up. This weekend I am going to take an old large paint bucket fill it up and tape a sign on it saying Free Yard Sticks. You can do what you want with them just DON'T put them back in my yard!
Sara K.

I'm doing an event for the March of Dimes at the end of April and i ordered some supplies on the internet. Long story short, i get a few little items in a HUGE box filled to the brim with packing peanuts (I practically had to dive in to find my items). Not liking to waste anything, I figured I could put the 'peanuts' in some cups and give out "Fresh, Hand Bought Peanuts."

Also, has anyone tried out Swiss Warblers? Are they difficult? And are they worth messing with?

Yes I've used the swiss warblers and I can't get them to go very loud. You can get a variety of sound out of them if you like playing around but in a crowd it gets lost. If you want a bird sound I suggest a cat and canary slide flute, that is unless you want the sound source to remain hidden. I also like my f**t whistle and my squeaker hammer with the tooter whistle on the end. What I really want is an "old" cricket clicker. The ones they sell now-a-days are so flimsy they break after two or three clicks. We used to have an old one at the nursing home that was more heavy duty and boy was it loud for a little clicker.
Sara K.

is f**t a banned word, or are you just being silly? I like your idea, though

Sorry,
I really was being serious guess I'm just a little old fashioned. I didn't want to print a banned word but when you order if from the company they don't put in the stars. I thought I'd be niice. I didn't know what else to call it. If someone wanted to order a good noise maker you've got to have some kind of a name in order to know what to look up. I have to be so careful what I say when I'm teaching it just carries over I guess.
Sara K.

Earlier in the thread, page 2 I believe, Hopper suggested a "Free Shake" gag where you had cups bolted onto a tray and when people came up to get a shake, you dropped the tray to the side and shook their hand. Well after reading that and a couple of hours of work I made my own. I hope I can upload these pics properly. Fingers crossed, here goes nothing

Edit: The second picture should be looked at from a 90 degree angle.

Oh cute that looks so real - love the Taco John's cups. I got to make one of these. Couldn't you just hot glue them onto the tray? I guess the bolts make it easier to replace a cup if it gets squashed. Where did you find the tray?
Sara K

I don't think hot glue would work seeing as how the bottom of the cups are a bit elevated. Of course, I guess you could glue around the circumference of the bottom... though I don't know how well they would stick if someone tried to grab them. The cups, lids, and straws were donated to me by Taco Bell. The tray, however, was on my five finger discount (its ok, I worked at that place for 2 years and showed the owner what I did. He loves it because of the advertising he gets).

I like the one Pickles made because it looks more comical to me. I like the soda fountain-esque style hers has. . .Yours looks more realistic, and more people will fall for it, I like the gag, Patches!

Sorry,
I really was being serious guess I'm just a little old fashioned. I didn't want to print a banned word but when you order if from the company they don't put in the stars. I thought I'd be niice. I didn't know what else to call it. If someone wanted to order a good noise maker you've got to have some kind of a name in order to know what to look up. I have to be so careful what I say when I'm teaching it just carries over I guess.
Sara K.

I was just teasing. I figured it wasn't a banned word. Although, I think most kids find it funny to say it because it's not entirely polite in mixed company.

I used Donut seeds today, Had Loads of fun, Sally lives on the Funny Farm, down in Silly Hallow over in Yonder. I talk about my farm and how I now just started growing Donuts, Yes Donuts I even have Donuts seeds to prove it.

I'm thinking of using that with my rabbit sized drawer box. Donut seeds go in and plastic donuts come out. Now about those donut seed crumbs...

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm doing my first parade and need something fun to do. It's hard to choose, though!

i love doing walk arounds!!!!! they r sooo simple and fast AND they make people laugh! now u know that u dont need long gags u can if u want but u ca also get a laugh with a short and simple walk-around.:)

Well it's been two years since I read this thread. Thankyou to everyone who contributed to it. It's a very helpful thread!!!

Myself and my teenage daughter are donning our clown suits for a festival this weekend. Purely on a voluntary basis as the festival is a charity event for a local family going through a tragic ordeal. Plus we have no experience other than at my own kids' parties! I just thought it was something we could offer at short notice AND I do love an excuse to don the clown costumes I made a couple of years back for my daughters party lol They usually only come out at my kids parties and at halloween.

But this whole festival thing is a bit daunting - going out there in public and actually doing clowny things however there are ideas here that are just brilliant so I hope I can get the props ready in time.

One thing we did think of was to spot people we knew in the crowd (adults) and ambush them, wrapping them up in toilet paper then walking away.

I'd be happy doing that to tough biker looking men too, think it would be hilarious. Or teenage boys out with their mates, trying to look cool for 'the ladies'.

Another idea I have is to get a really big empty frame and pose for photos with our heads inside the frame. And sometimes at the last minute turn around and put my backside in the frame instead.

Walking around with toilet paper hanging down the back of my costume pants or coming out the ankle of the pants.

Mimicking the artists (who paint themselves and dress up as statues) and standing perfectly still in a pose. Could even put a hat down in front of us. The statue thing should be funny with both of us beside each other doing it. When one of us laughs or breaks the pose we can have a mock silent arguement with lots of hand gestures, pointing of fingers, squirting of a water gun at each other and ending with our backs to each other and arms folded in fury across our chest.

But my favourite (and I only hope I have time to perfect it) is for us both to do the full Michael Jackson's Thriller dance, (in full clown getup), and with a little boombox blasting.

gosh I sure do wish I had more than 5 days to get ready!

im giggels for god i like thes gags can i try them

if you mean 'my' gags, of course you can. Spread the joy :)

I'm looking forward to trying them out on Sunday. I also bought a fart machine to torment the locals with lol. And a crazy string sprayer (the can attaches to a big plastic gun).

And we've been practising with the big photo frame, doing skits of posing within it and getting stuck trying to get out of it etc etc

I tote a small broom and pull a small carpet via a rope. I walk a little, stop look in different directions pull up on the rope lifting the carpet, then sweep the dirt under the rug. Then I'll walk up to someone tap them on the leg with the broom, lift my leg a few times until the person gets the idea to lift their leg. Then I'll sweep a little more. I also carry a bike horn in case they are looking the other way.

I tried the 'free shakes' gag with great success.

And I did a similar gag with 'free tea'. I had a tray of takeaway coffee mugs from a local coffee shop. I hot glued them onto the tray, they had their takeaway lids on and I had a sign hanging off it saying 'Free Hot T', when they accepted the offer I gave them a letter T that was printed with flames coming off it.

It went down a hoot.

The Free B's was fantastic.

I have to say I had far more fun with the adults doing those gags and they got a real kick out of being included.

For the kids I would offer them a balloon but it was a rocket balloon and I would let it go just as I passed it to them. It would shoot loudly up into the sky and make all sorts of squealy noises while it went in all directions, capturing the attention of everyone within earshot. Was hilarious. Sometimes I let it go facing horizontal and it would wizz around peoples legs a hundred miles an hour making it's sounds. It brought laughter from everywhere.

A favourite with the kids was the bubble gun. I just walked around and had hundreds of bubbles floating behind me. The kids were all trying to catch them.

But I think my favourite part was the drive to the festival as three of us in the car were in costume and the looks we got from the other drivers on the road were priceless :) (we live in a country town, not a whole lot of oddness goes on here lol)

Old Fashioned Candy - Candy you ate as a kid® (http://www.oldtimecandy.com/index.html)


We have had major ice storms this winter and now that the snow is melting everyone is complaining of all the tree debree that they have to clean up. This weekend I am going to take an old large paint bucket fill it up and tape a sign on it saying Free Yard Sticks. You can do what you want with them just DON'T put them back in my yard!
Sara K.

Hey they do have circus peanuts!
Sara K.

Hey they do have circus peanuts!
Sara K.

They have metal clickers too. Also Metal Kazoos and original sock monkeys

as a newbie I read each post- took notes -and laughed so much I need to change my britches. thanks a bunch (who do I send the laundry bill to?)

there all 159 post read. there are some really great ideas here. Now comes the hard part, picking the one or two to start on first. Oh boy.

I just figured out the greatest noisemaker of all time. My daughter took apart a giggle stick I got from Alex and was playing around blowing through the noisemaker piece on the inside. Well I got the idea I wonder if it would work to use it inside my mouth. So I put in in and closed my lips around it blowing in and out and moving my lips. It makes the most incredible sound. You can work it like you are laughing or crying and by moving your lips with bursts of air or moving your tongue over the hole while you blow you can get different sounds. Just got to remember to breath though you nose and keep you lips closed somewhat so they can't see the squeaker. Also be careful not to swallow or choke on it. So I don't advocate this for everyone as I know that would be a danger for most but not my big mouth. Since I was the marshmallow stuffing champion in college and can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue I figure I got above average oral control. I love my new clown voice. I may have to play around with this.
Sara K.

Just be careful. Sounds like a choaking hazard to me! You might be recalled by the federal safety people!

I went to the store and bought some fake flowers. I also bought some clear drinking straws. Cut the stems of the flowers shorter than the drinking straws. Place the stem down into the straw and place in shirt / coveralls / overalls pocket. While walking around if I see a lady I'll walk up and make like she's beautiful and all that, then I'll remove a loaded flower-straw and holding the flower at the base of the bloom, extend it out to her - which they always smile and are so greatful to take. They grap the straw only though and I walk away with the flower. Everyone that sees laughs!

I don't know if this has been done or anything but with some inspiration from the earlier "shave the whales" post (for the word confusion part) and from the TV show iCarly (there's a guy who loves to put everything on a stick and try to sell it) I thought of getting rubber fish and dowel rods and making "Fish-kabobs".

Do you think anybody would want to buy one?

Fish-kabobs!! Love it!

You know what else you could do? (I've done something similar and gotten
big laughs) When someone asks to take a picture, keep the rubber fish behind your back. When it's time to pose, put your arm around the person's shoulder and bring the fish slowly up over their shoulder so they feel it creeping up... when they look over, they get a big, smiley fish face to look at, and they usually burst out laughing. I've done the same with puppets and other weird things.

I'm working on a gag right now.
It is a mime game that I'm turning into a gag. I take a baseball glove and pretend to play catch with people. The funny stuff comes from how we play. If the person is a kid I act like she threw it real hard! Or if it is big man I act like the ball falls short and I have to pick it up.
It's funny and getting better.
Any ideas?

I love anything with rubber animals!

Then you'll enjoy the rabbit!

One gag I used during a Parade was to hold a balloon in my hand by what appeared to the the string. Actually, I am hanging onto the Balloon and I have an extra piece of string hanging on it to LOOK like it is all attached.
Then when I hand the balloon to someone, they grab the string and I walk away with the Balloon. All they get is the string. I was pretty worried that people would be offended, but EVERYONE got the joke right away. After all, they ARE dealing with a clown.



I have seen this done with a flower (using a fake stem) as well. Another great idea I have seen is having a small figurine of a cow with a cup in front of it. You put a coin in the cup and shout "cow tipping".

Or perhaps just a sign, that has large print on it, and says COW TIPPING. If it's a long parade you'll save your voice.

I'm working on a gag right now.
It is a mime game that I'm turning into a gag. I take a baseball glove and pretend to play catch with people. The funny stuff comes from how we play. If the person is a kid I act like she threw it real hard! Or if it is big man I act like the ball falls short and I have to pick it up.
It's funny and getting better.
Any ideas?

I do something similar. I only don't use a baseball glove. Its part of a bigger act with suitcases and so on. Balls are great to play with the audience. What I also do is at the moment that the ball gets thrown back looking to someone on the side with a look like "see what we are doing" By that I miss the been thrown ball. And look back at the thrower with a look like come throw me the ball. When the point at the ball laying at the back of me look really supriced. You can even ask the thrower if he/she is a magician because he/she made the ball unseen getting behind me. Play with it I sometimes even do it 3 times after eachother. Get the ball on your head. Let the ball go precily between body and your stretched arms who want to catch. People love it to see you beeing clumpsy with a ball that goes all over the place.

I just figured out the greatest noisemaker of all time. My daughter took apart a giggle stick I got from Alex and was playing around blowing through the noisemaker piece on the inside. Well I got the idea I wonder if it would work to use it inside my mouth. So I put in in and closed my lips around it blowing in and out and moving my lips. It makes the most incredible sound. You can work it like you are laughing or crying and by moving your lips with bursts of air or moving your tongue over the hole while you blow you can get different sounds. Just got to remember to breath though you nose and keep you lips closed somewhat so they can't see the squeaker. Also be careful not to swallow or choke on it. So I don't advocate this for everyone as I know that would be a danger for most but not my big mouth. Since I was the marshmallow stuffing champion in college and can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue I figure I got above average oral control. I love my new clown voice. I may have to play around with this.
Sara K.

Yes, you can also buy them especially for this purpose. mouthsqueaker they are called. They are great. Children love it when I talk with them with this squeaking sound. It makes them laugh and makes them curious. It gives the performance an extra dimension. I almost don't dare to say it because of a discusion in another thread but mimes form South America like to use them a lot.

Something simple:

Carry a carrot, or banana or whatever around and when someone is looking for your attention ask "have you seen my carrot? (or banana or whatever)"
Childs will probably point to the hand where you're holding it. You look at that direction but hold your arm above your head at the same time and ask "where?"
Then play around with the possibilities. Like you can't get your arm down and need help from the child and in the end you're very happy and the child may have it.
Or something. I haven't fully thought this out.

One of my favorite routines is to remove half the fabric from an umbrella. Attached to the umbrella is a sign that says "50% chance of rain". I then walk along periodically putting out my hand palm side up to test the weather.

YouTube - Multiplying Tennis Ball (http://youtu.be/yC1nFjTWfGc)

I just bought an adult tricycle with a big basket on the back. I want to put something in the basket to go with my gardening theme. Any ideas? The bike is purple and I bought it for parades.

Hi Petals, how about a spring snake in green material with a large foam flower on the end in a tube with a cotter pin to make it resettable and a sign on the front of the basket that reads "self raising flower"

Smartii

I am jealous....I want one too. What I would do is make a BIG sign that says GRANNY"S BLOOMERS,attach it to the basket, and "plant" artificial flowers in the basket. This is not an original idea- but it has been filed away in my memory bank. Have fun...8-)

I am a total believer in keeping it simple. Just walk around in circles.

I am jealous....I want one too. What I would do is make a BIG sign that says GRANNY"S BLOOMERS,attach it to the basket, and "plant" artificial flowers in the basket. This is not an original idea- but it has been filed away in my memory bank. Have fun...8-)

how about "Petals' Bloomers" ?

Along those same idea you could change it up for seasons but use slinky's attach artificial flowers and have a sign that says "Spring Flowers". (again not original and an old favorite). But you could change up your signs and add a few slinky flowers and you got two gags out of one item.
Sara K.

One gag I used during a Parade was to hold a balloon in my hand by what appeared to the the string. Actually, I am hanging onto the Balloon and I have an extra piece of string hanging on it to LOOK like it is all attached.
Then when I hand the balloon to someone, they grab the string and I walk away with the Balloon. All they get is the string. I was pretty worried that people would be offended, but EVERYONE got the joke right away. After all, they ARE dealing with a clown.
With aparade coming up this Memorial day, I may try that. Thanks.

I read a gag in an old Calliope magazine that I want to try for parades.

I purchased a plastic grabber from Toys R Us. I also have a satchel with the bottom cut out. I plan on walking the parade route and picking up trash with the grabber. The blow off will be the trash falling back down to the street as I walk away.

I tried the 'free shakes' gag with great success.

And I did a similar gag with 'free tea'. I had a tray of takeaway coffee mugs from a local coffee shop. I hot glued them onto the tray, they had their takeaway lids on and I had a sign hanging off it saying 'Free Hot T', when they accepted the offer I gave them a letter T that was printed with flames coming off it.

It went down a hoot.

The Free B's was fantastic.

I have to say I had far more fun with the adults doing those gags and they got a real kick out of being included.

For the kids I would offer them a balloon but it was a rocket balloon and I would let it go just as I passed it to them. It would shoot loudly up into the sky and make all sorts of squealy noises while it went in all directions, capturing the attention of everyone within earshot. Was hilarious. Sometimes I let it go facing horizontal and it would wizz around peoples legs a hundred miles an hour making it's sounds. It brought laughter from everywhere.

A favourite with the kids was the bubble gun. I just walked around and had hundreds of bubbles floating behind me. The kids were all trying to catch them.

But I think my favourite part was the drive to the festival as three of us in the car were in costume and the looks we got from the other drivers on the road were priceless :) (we live in a country town, not a whole lot of oddness goes on here lol)


Thanks for sharing! I am getting ready to do a quick office birthday gig and these ideas are great and giving me some ideas to build upon.

I totally should.

They would look like this

---------------------------
LOST: invisible dog





please call Shoestring the clown
(phone number)
-----------------------------

*for the sleepy, you'll notice the picture looks just like him!

I think this sounds a pretty good marketing idea too, a picture of you and the leash. with your contact information at the bottom.

Hello,
I made a big pair of binoculars using 3 different sized cans - 2 of each size of course, painted black I used glue and wire to hook them together I added foam ball eyes and ran a coat hanger through leaving a little bend of it on the side so I can move the eyeballs up and down.
They always get a great reaction! I was at a very large event last fall and they made an announcement on stage they were looking for someone I yelled I'll find him and looked around with them. Not only did I get a great laugh I got my name mentioned on the loud speaker. Followed by applause oh what a pretty sound....
:oops:

I first saw this prop at a workshop which was being lead by Dusty The Happy Hobo who came all the way from Lincoln, Nebraska. He also used it in the Parade the same year to Great effect so its been good to see this prop being talked about on here as it brought back many happy memories of his visits to England. May I therefore take this opportunity thank you for taking the time to post it. It is much appreciated.

When I do parades, I like to imitate people. I would have a little flag in my bag, and I would use it to follow behind the girls dancing with the flags and I would imitate their movements. Or I would dance along with the brass bands. Sometimes I will gallop behind the horses pretending I was on one of them. :D

This one is stolen - erh, borrowed - from my husbands fraternal origination: His group walks in parades with a sign in front announcing "Drill Team" and they follow behind the sign carrying old fashioned hand drills. When they see someone with a camera ready to snap a pic, they all fallout and pose with the drills in front of the picture taker with the camera....

I carry a bucket with a string dangling out of it. Then I walk up to people and ask if they would like to see my fish that I caught. I have attached to the string a picture of a sun ans say sunfish, then pull out a fish in a pan and say panfish, then I pull out a picture of a cat and ask the audience what they think this one is- most say catfish and I compliment them on being very sharp, then I pull out a picture orf a skunk and say that one smelt, grab my nose, and walk away. Most people young and old get a chuckle out of it. - Walleye

Here's a piece I've enjoyed over the years. Allows you to work both sides of the street easily. You can literally interact with individuals from 20 ft away, which really helps if you do lots of parades or are in a long parade. This will make you memorable.
This is called a Wind Wand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsy8Xnl2QqM
Available at http://www.thefunnyfarmpresents.com/pswindwand.htm

His group walks in parades with a sign in front announcing "Drill Team" and they follow behind the sign carrying old fashioned hand drills. When they see someone with a camera ready to snap a pic, they all fallout and pose with the drills in front of the picture taker with the camera....

Even Better they could have a sign that says..."Clown Drill Team" and all of them could be carrying big huge foam drills!!