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Throughout history, people have been fascinated by the concept of magic. Magic shows attract plenty of children and adults alike. Some people in the audience may completely believe that the magic tricks are “real,” while others watch carefully to try to figure out how it all works.
There are always a few who want to learn to do magic themselves. For those individuals, the best magic kits can help them begin their new hobby and possibly even their future careers as magicians. In this article, we review ten of the best magic kits on the market.
Our choices range from magic kits that are geared towards the very youngest children and seem a little like toys to more-professional magic kits that will interest teenagers and even adults.
Comparison of the Best Magic Kits
Magic Kit FAQ
1. WHAT IS A MAGIC KIT?
2. ARE THE BEST MAGIC KITS DANGEROUS?
3. DO MAGIC KITS ALLOW USERS TO DO REAL MAGIC?
4. DO MAGIC KITS HAVE ANY EDUCATIONAL VALUE FOR CHILDREN?
How We Reviewed
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: Description, Items Included, Age Range, Example Magic Tricks, Price, and Where to Buy. We looked at many of the best magic kits on the market and chose a variety that would appeal to different ages and ability levels.
Overall Price Range
More expensive magic kits often include more props or higher-quality materials. Some also include bonuses, such as DVDs or access to websites.
What We Reviewed
- Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit
- Ideal Magic Spectacular Magic Suitcase
- Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set
- Jim Stott’s Ultimate Magic Kit
- Mega Magic Tricks Set for Kids
- Melissa & Doug Magic in a Snap!
- Criss Angel Ultimate Magic Kit Black
- 3 Bees & Me Deluxe Magic Kit Set
- MasterMagic Magic Kit
- Thames & Kosmos Magic Hat with 35 Tricks
Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit
Description
This kit combines magic with science. It can be considered more of a beginner’s chemistry set than a collection of magic tricks. Users can experiment and play with mild chemicals, such as citric acid, to create reactions that seem like magic. While this kit may not satisfy someone who really wants to learn magic tricks that they can perform for their friends or an audience, it can definitely be a source of fun and amusement for children who like things that fizz and explode.
Included
- Four plastic test tubes
- Test tube stand
- Citric acid powder
- Baking soda powder
- Red cabbage juice powder
- Zinc sulfide powder
- Cross-linked polyacrylate copolymer
- Color tablets
- Vegetable oil
- Clear plastic tube ‘wand’ with 2 caps
- Small- and medium-sized scoops
- Purple paper
- Star stickers
- Activity guide and science information
Age Range
6 to 10
Example Magic Tricks
In the Hocus Pocus Powder activity, users make purple water magically change color. The trick is really a science demonstration involving an acidity indicator. In another activity, users make a glow-in-the-dark bubbling potion.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Ideal Magic Spectacular Magic Suitcase
Description
This kit includes instructions and props for 100 tricks, and reviewers call it one of the best magic kits out there. The suitcase itself, which is made of cardboard, doubles as a performance table. The tricks are easy enough for a child to learn and perform, but interesting enough to impress their audience members.
Included
- Collapsable magic hat
- Wand
- Props for 100 tricks
- Instruction book
- Codes for online tutorial videos
Age Range
8 and up
Example Magic Tricks
In one trick, magicians can make a single rabbit multiply to up to six rabbits. A classic trick included in this kit involves putting a ball under a cup, and then lifting the cup to reveal that the ball has disappeared.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set
Description
Melissa and Doug are known for making durable toys that can engage children’s minds and imaginations. This magic kit is no different. The pieces in the kit are made of wood and decorated with artwork. Ten tricks can be performed with this kit. It comes with a hinged storage box to help magicians avoid losing their props. Also included is a detailed instruction booklet.
Included
- Hinged storage box
- Props for 10 magic tricks
- Instruction booklet
Age Range
8 to 12
Example Magic Tricks
In the Secret Silks trick, the magician puts some silk cloths into a bag. When they open the bag, the cloths disappear. In the Vanishing Zone trick, the user is able to pass a wand through a solid box.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Jim Stott’s Ultimate Magic Kit
Description
Jim Stott is a professional magician, and he designed this kit especially for aspiring magicians. This one makes our list of the best magic kits, because although it includes fewer props than many kits, users can learn to do numerous tricks with those props. Users also get access to Jim Stott’s top-secret website where they can learn more magic tricks.
Included
- Levitation device
- Magic card box
- Three ropes
- Four sponge balls
- Vanishing device
- Svengali card deck
- Instructional booklet
Age Range
10 and up
Example Magic Tricks
Users of this kit will learn how to make a playing card levitate.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Mega Magic Tricks Set for Kids
Description
This kit by Learn & Climb contains 28 props, which can be used to perform 100 magic tricks. It comes with a DVD to help users perfect their tricks. There is also a double-stage box so that users can store all of their materials out of sight while doing their magic shows. The tricks are organized into levels. Beginning magicians can start with the simplest tricks and then work their way through to the more advanced tricks.
Included
- 28 props
- Double stage box
- Instructional DVD
- Magic wand
Age Range
4 and up
Example Magic Trick
Users will be able to make a sword penetrate glass, make a coin disappear, and make a matchstick levitate.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Melissa & Doug Magic in a Snap!
Description
We included one of Melissa & Doug’s sets up above, but here’s another worth looking at. These two are savvy when it comes to child-friendly magic sets, being parents themselves; they’ve been featured in multiple publications, including the New York Times, to boot! This kit is smaller and geared towards younger children. The instructions are simple and easy to understand.
Included
- Coin
- Mesh bag
- Pretend $100 bill
- Magic case
- Vase
- Balls
- Scarf
- Tube
Age Range
4 to 12
Example Magic Trick
Children can make the $100 bill disappear and reappear and make a scarf disappear inside a tube.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Criss Angel Ultimate Magic Kit Black
Description
Many people have been wowed by Criss Angel’s shows on TV and in Las Vegas. Now magicians can try their own tricks that are based on illusions. Over 500 tricks can be performed with the props included. It includes an instructional DVD and a bonus DVD about levitation.
Included
- Props for over 500 tricks
- 2 DVDs
Age Range
8 and up
Example Magic Trick
Magicians can make a blank piece of paper turn into a $100 bill.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
3 Bees & Me Deluxe Magic Kit Set
Description
This magic kit looks more like a toy, with pieces that are made of colorful plastic. It is geared towards children who are trying magic for the first time. A lot of the tricks included are classics like the cup and ball.
Included
- Magic wand
- Props for 75 tricks
- Instruction booklet
Age Range
6 to 10
Example Magic Trick
Users will learn how to make their magic wand levitate and learn various card and coin tricks.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
MasterMagic Magic Kit
Description
Professional magicians have called this one of the best magic kits. It includes props for 350 tricks and also allows users access to a secret website with more tips and tricks for doing magic.
Included
- Mystery drawer box
- Magic wand
- Magic coloring book
- Rainbow chips
- Color vision cube
- Coin spike trick
- Appearing flower
- Color changing silks
- Magic ball
- Vase
- Exploding dice
- Zigzag pencil
- Instructional booklet
Age Range
5 to 14
Example Magic Trick
The magic coloring book trick is an uncolored coloring book. The magician waves a magic wand over the book and then shows the audience that it is now all colored in. Another wave of the wand turns it back into an uncolored coloring book. In another classic trick, the magician can make a flower appear out of nowhere.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Thames & Kosmos Magic Hat with 35 Tricks
Description
This is one of the best magic kits for younger magicians. First of all, it includes a rabbit puppet, which can be made to pop out of the magic hat. Second, the instruction booklet shows children how to do each of the tricks, using three or fewer steps and colorful illustrations.
Included
- Magic hat
- Rabbit puppet
- Magic wand
- Props for 35 tricks
- Instructional booklet
Age Range
6 and up
Example Magic Trick
Children will learn how to make playing cards grow and shrink, and they can also demonstrate X-ray vision.
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
The Verdict
All of the kits on this list are among the best magic kits on the market. The one you buy may depend on the age of the aspiring magician and the types of tricks they are hoping to perform. For older kids and adults, our pick is Jim Stott’s Ultimate Magic Kit.
Although it has fewer props than most of the kits we reviewed, they seem to be higher-quality than other kits’. They can also be used for various tricks, so despite the sparseness of objects, there’s plenty of variety.
For those who might take up magic as their new hobby, being able to access the special website is a great bonus: they can continue to learn more tricks using the props they have on-hand. Our second choice for magicians of all ages is the MasterMagic Magic Kit.
Its wide variety of tricks will keep magicians entertained for quite a while. Plus, like the Jim Stott kit, it gives users access to a website with tutorials for even more magic tricks.
The Thames & Kosmos Magic Hat with 35 Tricks says it is for children six and older, but we think that the simple steps and color illustrations make it a good choice for children as young as four. The rabbit puppet and magic hat will make this kit an especially great hit for the younger crowd.
We love that it has tricks that will amaze younger children and keep them busy learning more. For those whose taste in magic leans more towards wizardry, the Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit is the best magic kit.
This kit’s activities can easily be stretched out, with its applications used for multiple tricks, and it will hopefully get children interested in science as well as magic.