Easy to Learn Magic Tricks That Use Animals
Performing magic tricks can lead to popularity both for kids and adults --- assuming, of course, the performer can pull off the illusion. This requires some skill at sleight-of-hand and the redirection of audience attention. The objects used in magic tricks also matter; when it comes to entertaining children, small living creatures evoke more excitement than any inanimate object.
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Some Issues on Working with Animals
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For amateur magicians, small furry critters such as rabbits and doves work just fine. They don't bite, make a lot of noise or move all over the place unless extremely agitated. Most importantly, they can easily fit into pockets or small spaces. Doing harm or giving the impression of doing harm to animals should be avoided with younger audiences.
Bringing Insects Back to Life
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Bringing insects back to life requires some scientific investigation. Insects generally don't die when frozen. Once thawed, they come back to life almost immediately. The key to this trick is finding out just how much time is needed for them to wake from their frozen stupor. Spend that time performing magical gestures and reciting magic words to bring them back.
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Decapitating a Live Chicken
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Stay on the safe side of animal rights issues and assure the audience that no harm will come to the chicken during this trick. It's also wise to check whether your audience is mature enough to handle what they'll see. A live chicken and a fake chicken head -- concealed in the performer's sleeve -- are all you need, as well as a bit of showmanship and sleight-of-hand. A fake chicken head may not prove easy to track down; however, a magic shop or outlet might steer you in the right direction.
Tuck the chicken under one arm and gently press it close to your body for better concealment. Make a show of trying to control the chicken, regardless of whether it's actually struggling. Give the impression of having difficulty containing the chicken while explaining the trick to your audience --- add a bit of humor where possible. Using a distraction technique -- such as lifting your free hand high into the air and following it with your gaze -- quickly tuck the chicken's head under one wing with your other hand. Without warning, produce the fake head as if it's just been pulled from the chicken. Stretch out your arm to put as much distance as possible between the chicken and the fake head. Pretend to screw the head back on the chicken, secretly re-hiding it before the shock and awe wear off.
A Variation of the Classic Rabbit in the Hat
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The rabbit in the hat trick needs a very large top hat --- the larger, the better. Let audience members pass it around to convince them it's empty, then ask them to put items in as it passes from person to person, such as candies, small toys, coins, keys or even small cellular phones. Once you recover the hat, shake it a bit, then carefully spill the contents onto the surface of a table. Ask the audience to recover their objects. Use a bit of showmanship to get them working quickly and impart a sense of urgency. After everyone is settled, ask if they've successfully recovered their objects. Once everyone affirms they have, pull a rabbit from the hat and ask who's responsible for leaving it behind.
Use a small, docile rabbit -- at least small enough to hide comfortably in your pocket. Hide it in an inner jacket pocket before the trick begins. After spilling the hat's contents, hold it close to your stomach with the crown toward the audience. Slip the rabbit into the hat while the audience members recover their belongings.
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References
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