How to Do a Magic Toothpick Trick

The magic toothpick trick has an easy set up with only a few key props. While it may not impress an inquisitive crowd, it's sure to win over the youngest of audience members. Your goal is to make toothpicks move without touching them. Read on to learn how to do the magic toothpick trick.

Things You'll Need

• Six toothpicks
• Shallow pan
• Water
• Liquid dish soap

Instructions

1. Dip one toothpick in liquid dishwashing soap before you have an audience. Make sure no one else sees you do this part--it's the "magic" in the trick.

2. Clean a shallow pan, or pie plate. Rinse thoroughly. Make sure there is no soap residue left in the pan. Fill the pan with water, and set it on a table or hard surface where it won't spill.

3. Bring your audience in at this point. Have them sit around a table. If the event is being recorded, bring the camera in for a close shot.

4. Arrange the other five toothpicks (none have soap on them) in a pentagon shape on top of the water in the pan. The toothpicks should overlap a little so they stay together.

5. Wave the sixth, soap-dipped toothpick around in the air and say some magical words like "Alacazam," or something inspired that you make up.

6. Stick the toothpick into the water in the middle of the pentagon, and watch as the other five toothpicks scatter away.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice making a pentagon with the toothpicks in the water ahead of time. It can be a little tricky to accomplish.

• The soap molecules break the tension of the water's molecules causing the toothpicks to scatter. Of course, no one but you needs to know this.

• Don't mix up your soap toothpick with the others. Use colored toothpicks.

• The trick only works once. If you want to do it again, you have to have a clean pan with clean water. Tell your audience you need to work up to a second magic session.