Magician Ryan Oakes shows you how to fit big magic into small spaces with the Appearing Straw trick. Practice this one and you'll be serving up amazing magic to your friends in no time!
A drinking straw (preferably with lines)
A small coin envelope
Scissors
SOMETIMES WE USE MATERIALS THAT REQUIRE ADULT SUPERVISION…LIKE SCISSORS SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AROUND WHENEVER YOU DO MAGIC TRICKS!
- To prepare, take your scissors and insert them into one of the ends of the straw. With the help of an adult, cut all of the way down the side of the straw. It’s better if the straw is lined, because then you have a guideline to cut along and it will hide the cut later.
- Spread the cut straw apart at the top and roll it back down onto itself. The straw may give some resistance, but that will help when performing the trick. Help the straw roll along by holding it at the top and bottom of the roll with your index fingers and thumbs.
- Insert your rolled up straw into the bottom of a coin envelope. Squeeze the envelope closed to keep the straw from popping out early.
- To perform, hold the envelope in your hand as if you’re making a fist.
- Open up the envelope with your free thumb and index finger, reach in, and try to grab just the top of the rolled up straw.
- Begin to unroll and pull the straw all of the way out of the envelope. Try to hide the top of the envelope as you do this so your audience will only be able to see the unrolled portion of the straw, which should just pop back into its regular shape as it gets unrolled.
- You can also perform this trick to make the straw appear out of your bare hand. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to prepare the straw and instead of inserting it in an envelope, finger palm it in one of your hands.
- Put your hands together, and very slowly unroll and extend the straw. Either way you do it, it will look like the straw is magically appearing out of nowhere!
