What you see: The magician pours water into a cup. She blows on the cup, then turns it over. Instead of the water pouring back out, ice cubes tumble to the table and no water returns.
What you do: Cut a piece of sponge to fit the bottom of an opaque plastic cup. Place three ice cubes in the cup before the audience arrives. Pour a small amount of water into the cup in front of the crowd. The sponge will absorb the water, and the cubes will pour out when you tip the cup. Crush the cup with the sponge inside and toss it away.
What you see: The magician places cards on the table under his hand. He slowly raises his hand, and the cards magically rise with it, floating in the air.
What you do: Wear a light ring on your magic hand, and place a matchstick through the ring. Have the matchstick sticking out along your finger and onto your palm. Place the edge of the cards under the matchstick. The stick will hold the cards to your hand and make it look like they are magically stuck to your hand.
What you see: A magician approaches a table that holds an upside-down glass. She places a coin on the tablecloth next to the glass. She covers the glass with a handkerchief, picks up the covered glass and places it over the coin. When she removes the handkerchief, the coin has vanished.
What you do: Cut out a circular piece of paper the exact color of the tablecloth. Glue this paper circle into the opening of the glass. When the glass is turned over and set on the table, you can't tell that the opening is covered with paper.
What you see: The magician approaches a table with a handkerchief or napkin and a toothpick. She lays the toothpick in the center of the napkin and folds all the napkin corners into the center, covering the toothpick in layers of fabric. She picks up the napkin packet and snaps the toothpick inside many times. The audience can hear the noise. She then lays out the napkin and opens it on the table. The toothpick is amazingly whole.
What you do: Slide an identical toothpick into the hem of the napkin before you start your show. Remember which edge contains the toothpick. Grasp the hidden toothpick after folding up the napkin and break it instead of the toothpick folded inside. The hidden toothpick will break, leaving the original toothpick whole for the audience to see.