Magic tricks using cups. Tricks you might want to try for entertainment or performances.
We’ve gathered ideas for magic tricks using cups and glasses that are perfect for beginners who want to try magic for the first time.
From the classic cups and balls to coin-through-glass tricks, quick and easy effects, and routines that require a bit of practice, there’s a wide range to choose from.
These tricks use props that are simple to prepare, so you can give them a try the same day you get inspired.
If you want to expand your magic repertoire or are planning to perform magic for an event or entertainment segment, be sure to use this article as a reference.
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Magic tricks using cups: illusions you’ll want to try for parties and performances (1–10)
The straw pierced through
There’s no way a straw could ever pierce the bottom of a paper cup, right? But that’s exactly what this magic trick makes possible.
Prepare two paper cups.
For one of them, cut away the sides so only the bottom remains.
On the other cup, punch a round hole in the bottom.
Place the “bottom-only” cup inside the cup with the hole to act as a lid, and you’re ready! If you insert the straw from below, the lid shifts and the straw appears through the hole; if you insert the straw from the drinking side, the lid firmly blocks the hole, making it look like there’s no trick to the cup at all.
Magic that freely controls appearances and disappearances using three paper cups
It’s a mysterious magic trick where a ball made from rolled-up paper seems to appear and disappear between three paper cups! While it looks mysterious, the method is actually very simple.
You make a slit in each of the three paper cups beforehand.
You also prepare three paper balls and place one under each cup.
When you want to make a ball seem to vanish, just press the ball with your finger through the slit so it hides inside the cup.
To make it appear, simply release your finger and the ball will pop back out.
Be careful not to reveal the slits in the cups or the hidden balls as you perform—give it a try!
A coin from stacked paper cups
This is a mysterious magic trick where an object seems to pass through a stack of paper cups.
First, prepare five paper cups.
Beforehand, cut out the bottoms of two of the cups and place them as the first and second cups from the top.
Then, show that the cups don’t stack properly if you put a die in the bottom cup.
Next, move the die to the top cup, and pretend it’s being held in place by your thumb.
On the count of three, remove your thumb, making it look as if the die has passed through the paper cups.
Magic tricks using cups. Tricks you’ll want to try for entertainment or stage acts (11–20)
Magic where water freezes instantly
Among cup-based magic tricks, the one where water freezes instantly feels truly magical.
It’s a science-experiment-like trick that anyone can try easily, which is part of its appeal.
Since it uses a material called sodium acetate, please make sure an adult supervises if children are attempting it.
Watching the water freeze just from a touch of a finger creates a dreamy and beautiful effect.
It’s a mysterious trick that’s perfect for parties and performances.
Keep your movements natural and smooth, and give it a try.
A cup that disappears into newspaper
This is a magic trick where a cup disappears inside a newspaper.
First, place the cup upside down on the table and cover it with the newspaper.
Flip it once to show the cup is there, then, as you flip the newspaper again, secretly remove the cup.
The key is to maintain the cup’s shape in the newspaper.
After that, while holding the cup in one hand, collapse the cup-shaped form and flatten the newspaper so it looks like the cup has vanished.
The performer in this video demonstrates it very well, so use it as a reference and give it a try.
A magic trick that makes a paper cup float using chopsticks
A magic trick that makes it look like you’re levitating paper cups with a pair of chopsticks.
You’ll need two paper cups, a pair of chopsticks in its wrapper, a staple, and two dice.
First, place one die in each cup and demonstrate that lifting them is impossible.
Then line up the two cups and secretly attach a staple to the back of the chopstick wrapper.
Use the staple to pinch the sides of the cups and lift from below with the chopsticks—this makes it appear as if the two paper cups are floating in midair.
Once you know the secret, this trick doesn’t require much practice, so if you’re looking to expand your repertoire, give it a try!
A mandarin appears
Here’s a trick where a mandarin orange appears from what should be an empty paper cup! Prepare three paper cups.
Cut one of them so that only the bottom remains.
Put the orange into one cup, then place the “bottom-only” piece inside that cup like a lid—now you’re set.
When showing it to the audience, keep a little distance so they don’t notice how shallow the cup is.
Hold the cup with the orange on the bottom and the empty one on top, pressing their rims together.
When you shake them while keeping the rims aligned, the inner bottom piece will come loose and the orange will appear! Anything that fits in the “lid space” works—try it with candies or other small treats too.