Bug Magic

[Pickles]

I'm doing a birthday party for a little boy in a couple weeks. The party has a "Bug" theme, and I'm trying to think of a couple magic tricks to incorporate the bug theme. Any ideas?

[Pickles]

Okay, so I'm brainstorming here. You know how little boys like kind of yucky things? Maybe a plastic bug could accidentally fall into the cake pan, and the sponge cake could come out of the dove pan with a bug on top.

Or I have this really big ugly plastic house fly. I could fasten it to my back and then try unsuccessfully to figure out where that buzzing is coming from (use my Texas flyswatter.)

Or I probably have a butterfly silk, and I could do something with a change bag, but that wouldn't be yucky enough for the little boys.

What do you think?

[bugaboo the clown]

Why don't you use a giant flyswatter as a magic wand?

[Giggles the Clown]

Hey Pickles: I have a "bug collection" that I tell the kids I will show them, but I must first show it to the adults to make sure it isn't too, too scary. The collection is in a small box with a hinged lid. I make a big deal out of asking the adults, "Now, you're sure you're not afraid of bugs," "Please don't scream" etc. Most of the time the adults play along and act really surprised and a little scared. Some really get into the "scam" and scream. Of course, I open and close the box real fast. What is really in the box is a collection of cute little fake insects, like lady bugs and caterpillars that I have glued into the bottom of the box. Believe me, even the little boys who had insisted THEY weren't afraid of bugs are usually a little relieved. Giggles would never scare a child, but done softly, this bug collection scenario works well with the children AND the adults, and it is also a great time-stretcher (when needed). Good luck! Giggles

[Elsie]

pin a giant butterfly to your back and get a big bug net, you can get these at a dollar type store then tell the kids you want to go butterfly hunting and see if they want to go to, when you turn your back to them they will go nuts.............
cheap and fun.

[Nettie Belle]

Well, one time, I did a little boy's birthday party and we "baked a cake" but I forgot the sugar, so when we opened up the lid ... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We had made a SNAKE instead of a cake. Low and behold, we found a teaspoon of sugar in one of those little packets on the table, and added it, and said some magic words and voíla!! we made cake. I put mini cupcakes in the bottom of my dove pan (they were individually wrapped, of course). I put some tin foil over all that so it looked like the snakes were on the bottom of the pan. The little boys LOVED making a snake. They all got the giggles, and the birthday boy was astonished when we added only 1 tsp of sugar and turned a snake into a cake. He got to keep the snake.

Maybe you could bake a PIE but instead, make a FLY!! Or a cookie and make a BEE ... etc.

I have to say, this is a theme I've NEVER HEARD OF before!!

[Pickles]

Thanks, clowns! You have some really good ideas of how to make this a buggy magic show! The bug collection reminded me of some little VW cars I have.

If I could find some more of those I could make a bug collection out of little beetle cars.

I don't need to tie the theme into all of my tricks, but it's fun to have a couple that are related to the theme. I'm getting lots of ideas now -- thanks you all.

I'm curious: how many of you switch your routine around depending on the party theme, age of kids, etc? I had a clown lecture me once, telling me I was silly to do that -- it was too time-consuming, he said. But I figure, if I have the time, desire, and ideas, it's fun to custom-plan my routine for specific events.

[Duckie]

I agree with you pickles!!!! Anything you feel moved to do should NEVER be poo pooed!!!! Shame on that other clown!!!!!! You go girlfriend!!!!!!

[Nettie Belle]

I think most clowns tailor their parties to the customer's desires. I can't imagine NOT doing that, but I suppose some don't. I think it all depends on the clown too. I say DO IT if you can.

[tim]

I have a fly ball. (Baseball with a rubber fly attached.)