Magic tricks for a snow day: a buyer’s guide

The best snow-day magic is easy to learn in an afternoon, works on a kitchen table and gets the whole household involved. Start free with a self-working card trick and our public-domain ebooks, then add a self-working trick deck, a set of sponge props or a full beginner kit for a bigger project.

What makes a good snow-day trick?

When everyone is stuck inside, the right trick is one that:

• Needs little space. A table and a few chairs should be enough.
• Can be learned the same day. Self-working tricks let you skip weeks of sleight-of-hand practice.
• Lets others join in. Tricks where the spectator does the handling keep restless kids and adults busy.
• Resets quickly. You will be asked to do it again, probably several times.

Which trick suits your household?

If you have…	Try	Why
An ordinary deck and no budget	A free self-working trick	Learn it in minutes from our blog
Readers and puzzle fans	A free public-domain ebook	Hundreds of pages of classic tricks and puzzles
A card lover	A Svengali deck	Self-working, with routines included
Young kids	Sponge props	Soft, visual and easy to hold
A whole day to fill	A beginner kit	Props plus dozens of video lessons

What can you do for free?

Grab any deck and try the down-under deal, where a chosen card survives a simple “one down, one under” deal, or the 21-card trick. Both are self-working and easy to teach to a second person, so one of you can perform while the other watches for mistakes.

For a longer project, our free ebooks are classic public-domain books. Check out at $0 and the file arrives by email and on your order page, so you can start reading the same day.

• Modern Magic by Professor Hoffmann covers cards, coins, handkerchiefs, dominoes and dice, with the original engravings, including a section of card tricks without sleight of hand.
• Mathematical Recreations and Essays by W. W. Rouse Ball is full of arithmetical card tricks, magic squares and puzzles, from the Fifteen Puzzle to the Tower of Hanoi.

What should you buy for a snow day?

For card lovers: Bicycle Svengali Deck

The Bicycle Svengali Deck Red (Queen of Hearts) lets you know the card a spectator selects every time, even when they cut the cards, with no sleight of hand. It is printed on Rider Back cards and comes with illustrated instructions plus three routines from Daryl Easton.

For younger kids: Super Sponge Gingerbread Men

The Super Sponge Gingerbread Men Cookies by Dan Sperry are four hand-cut, painted sponge gingerbread men, each about 5.9 cm wide and 7.6 cm tall (2.32 by 3 inches). They are sized for kids and smaller hands, and come with a video link covering ideas, care and Dan’s own step-by-step sponge routine. They suit the season, too.

For a sponge ball deep dive: WGM Sponge Balls

WGM Sponge Balls includes soft professional sponge balls, so you can start right away, plus sponge ball routines from thirteen performers, including Daryl, Eugene Burger and Frank Garcia. See more in our sponge balls collection.

For a whole-day project: How to Be a Magician Kit

The How to Be a Magician Kit by Ellusionist combines a box of special props with downloadable videos covering 47 tricks, taught by Peter McKinnon, Chris Ramsay and Adam Wilber. It starts easy and builds up, and is listed for everyone over 10. Browse more options in our magic kits.

How do you turn it into a family show?

• Give everyone one trick. Each person learns a different trick during the day.
• Practise in pairs. One performs, one watches for angles and flashes.
• Put on a show after dinner. Three or four short tricks make a complete little set.
• Take turns as the spectator. Kids love being the one who holds the cards.

For more ideas for evenings at home, see our guides to magic for a family games night and magic for kids’ parties, or start with our new to magic collection.

Frequently asked questions