Category: Children

STEM — Stuff to do #3

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Perhaps you’ve seen a book called Magic For Dummies. One of a gazillion yellow softcover titles in the ‘Dummies’ family. MFD was written by David Pogue who’s better known as a tech writer and broadcaster.

It’s a pretty good magic book (despite the title!) and Mr. Pogue’s interest in magic is long standing. In fact, he appears on the cover of the wonderful early 1970s Magic Digest by George Anderson (no relation)…

Cover of Magic Digest book.

Mr. Pogue’s Making Stuff series from PBS is available for families to explore. Many aspects of STEM are covered. Great stuff if your kids are a bit older.
Just a heads up during this time of self isolation…

Montessori Birthday

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“Thanks Owen. It was great having you here. Look forward to more. You were amazing.”

Chawla Family, Niagara Falls

Most of my birthday party magic shows are in private homes. Occasionally rec centres or church halls and every now and then kind parents think outside of the living room.
Last Thursday the parents of a 6 year old girl decided to share the fun with her Montessori school mates by holding her birthday magic show in the gym at Pathways Academy shortly before dismissal. A treat to end the school day.
After setting up I had a few minutes so I snapped pics of these fun wall paintings encouraging different kinds of physical activity.
Four shown but others included Wiggle, Jog, Spin, Dance, Tiptoe, and Slink. I had to look slink up in the dictionary. For this PE context (gliding steps) it checks out…!

Animal theme motivational slogans on school gym walls.

My magic chair…

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I always touch base with my birthday moms a few days before the show to say hello and review details. At that time I usually request a folding style chair be made available for my use.
Used while setting up and helps me get down closer to eye level with the kids for a couple of bits in the show.
At this recent party the artistic birthday girl went all-in leaving no doubt which chair was for me. She even added the (often overlooked) exclamation point to Mr. Oh!
Love it when I see this type of kid engagement. Not surprisingly this party was a joy to perform at.

Cute welcome sign birthday girl drew for magician and taped to folding chair.

“Was a pleasure to work with!”

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Did a fun “Happy Noon Year” magic show program at Cedarbrae Library on December 31st. We wrapped up the show just in time to do a 12 noon countdown with the kids followed by snacks the librarian had prepared.

This lovely review was posted to my Google business listing shortly after the new year:


“I hired him for a family program (over 100 people in attendance). While the kids and parents were giggling and enjoying themselves, my colleagues and I were rolling on the floor laughing at his jokes. He combines magic and comedy perfectly. I would hire him again! Beforehand, he was very considerate and asked if it would be appropriate to do a Christmas joke, did we want him to touch on this holiday or not, etc. Was a pleasure to work with!”

Click here to see full review on my Google Business listing.