Box O' Plenty

You've heard the saying, you can't get something from nothing, right? Well Ryan Oakes is going to prove that saying wrong with this cool trick!

shoe box
scissors
string
tape
rubber band
handkerchiefs

SOMETIMES WE USE MATERIALS THAT REQUIRE ADULT SUPERVISION…LIKE SCISSORS SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AROUND WHENEVER YOU DO MAGIC TRICKS!!

1. To prepare, roll all of your handkerchiefs except one into a small bundle. Use the last one to wrap around the others to make a tight ball. This creates what magicians call a “load.” Secure the load by wrapping it in a rubber band.
2. Use your scissors to cut off a piece of string that is about 5 or 6 inches in length. Tie one end of this string around the rubber band with a tight knot.
3. Attach the load to your shoebox lid by taping the string to the inside rim of one of the longer edges. Tape it so that the load hangs in the center of the lid when held upright. Cut off any excess string.
4. Place the lid face-down on the table with the load safely hanging off the back from the lid. Place the open shoebox face-up on top of the lid.
5. To perform the trick, show your empty shoebox to the audience. Lift the lid slightly to show nothing underneath, but be sure that no one can see the load hanging off behind the table.
6. With both hands, lift your lid away from you so that the load will follow and be hidden behind it. Place the lid on the box by lowering the front edges first and then letting down the rest. The load should drop down into the box without being seen.
7. Wave your hands over the box and rotate it once or twice for show. Slide the lid off letting it lean over the front of the box. Reach in and undo your rubber band to unwrap and reveal the first handkerchief. Reach back in and pull out the rest of your handkerchiefs to show your audience. It will look like they’ve magically appeared!