Mind Power Trick

This fun magic trick will amaze and amuse classmates. It uses simple materials you may already have around your home.
Remember, it's always a good idea to practice at home first!

Suggested Materials:

* 1 x sheet of thin cardboard at least 15cm x 15cm
* 1 x blindfold or sleeping mask (to fit a child)
* Pencil
* Ruler
* Felt-tip pen
* Small box eg. children's shoebox
*Scissors

Suggested Instructions:

Step 1: At home, rule your cardboard into one large square approximately 15cm x 15cm. Carefully cut out your square with scissors so that each side of your square has a smooth flat edge.

Step 2: Rule your large square into 9 smaller squares of equal size eg. 5cm x 5cm. Write the name of a different animal on all squares except the middle square eg. lion, zebra, rhino, hippo, tiger, giraffe, monkey, elephant. On the middle square write the name of something completely different eg. banana.

Step 3: Now carefully tear (don't cut) along your lines to create 9 separate squares of the same size. By tearing (not cutting) your squares, the square in the middle will be the only square that has no smooth flat edges. The 8 remaining squares will all have 1 or 2 smooth flat edges.

Step 4: Show your "audience" your 9 cards one by one. Hold them up and read them aloud as you go.

Step 5: Place all your cards into your box and put your blindfold on. Ask a volunteer from your "audience" to come forward and give the cards a final swirl with their hand and then return to their seat.

Step 6: Now tell your "audience" that you need their help to find the one card in the box that doesn't have an animal name on it. Tell them if they concentrate really hard on the word "banana" you will know when you have found that card even though you can't see it.

Step 7: One-by-one pick up a piece of card. Remember, the piece of card with the word "banana" on it is the only piece in the box that has no smooth flat edges on it. Every edge of this card is rough because every edge has been torn not cut.

Step 8: Carefully hold each piece of card below the rim of your box. Run your index finger around the edge of each card acting as though you are concentrating really hard on the "messages" you are receiving from your "audience". As soon as you feel even one smooth flat edge you know that isn't your card, so take that card and place it on the table next to your box.

Step 9: Repeat this process until you find the card that has no smooth flat edges. Hold up the card and take off your blindfold. Your "audience" will be amazed to see that you have correctly selected the piece of card with the word "banana" on it.

Step 10: You may like to practice this trick a few times at home before trying it at school.

Step 11: At school, repeat Step 4 to Step 9.