Hidden talent acts to showcase at school: ideas to liven up the event
What would you do if someone said, “Show us a special talent!” at a school event? Since it’s a great opportunity, you’d want to perform a hidden talent that everyone will remember, right? School events are the perfect chance to show a different side of yourself! But when it comes down to it, many people might find themselves wondering, “What should I do?” In this article, we’ve gathered plenty of ideas for hidden talents that you can easily perform in the classroom or gym.
We’ll introduce a wide range—from things that can look amazing with a bit of practice to performances you can try with your classmates.
You’re sure to find the perfect hidden talent for you!
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Hidden talent acts to showcase at school: Ideas to liven up events (31–40)
No rehearsal party trick!
When it comes to party tricks, there are plenty of times when someone suddenly says, “Hey, let’s try something right now,” just for the vibe of the moment.
For times like that, how about no-practice-required hidden talents? Things like a game where you guess what’s being held between someone’s butt cheeks, or qigong-style tricks…
As you know, with qigong, it’s not the person “performing” it who matters, but the technique of the person it’s being done to.
If someone “uses” qigong on you, try dramatically flying or spinning away.
It’s guaranteed to get a laugh.
Challenge the ‘Jugemu’ tongue twister!
A classic of rakugo opening acts! The famous tongue twister “Jugemu.” It’s surprising to learn that it’s actually a person’s name, isn’t it? They say it got this long because they strung together auspicious words to wish for a long life.
For elementary school kids, it may feel like a confusing string of words and seem difficult, but there are some funny phrases along the way, and near the end it even starts to sound like a real name with “Chosuke.” If you can say it, people will be impressed! So don’t give up—keep practicing and amaze everyone.
A flutist using things you have at home!
At school, we don’t often get the chance to play instruments other than the recorder or the melodica.
But did you know you can play something like a flute using items you have at home? Try performing with objects that can produce a lovely, flute-like sound.
For example, a bottle! Place your lower lip on the mouth of the bottle, and blow as if you’re directing your breath toward the far edge of the bottle’s opening, rather than into the inside of the bottle.
For low notes, blow with a “hoo, hoo,” and for high notes, push your tongue slightly forward and blow like “hyoo, hyoo.” Adjust the sound and try making music with bottles, as well as items like chikuwa (a tube-shaped fish cake) or cups! It’s also fun to play together in a small ensemble.
A tube-ken like a kendama!
One of Japan’s traditional toys is the kendama, but it requires equipment and you have to carry it around with you.
In such cases, how about a game called Tsutsuken, which you can play like a kendama using just a simple tube and a ball that’s slightly too big to fit inside it? For the tube, you could use something like a cylindrical potato chip container.
It’s easy to get started, so practice regularly and be sure to show off your skills in front of everyone!
My First Diabolo
How about trying diabolo, a type of juggling? For beginners, it’s a mystery how the string doesn’t get tangled, but the practice methods are explained carefully, so use them as a guide and give it a try.
First, start with the basic step: how to spin the spool.
To perform diabolo tricks, you need to spin the spool steadily and keep it going.
This basic step is very important, so be sure to master it.
Once you do, it’ll become a hidden talent that comes in handy in all kinds of situations.
Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy! Plate spinning
Though it seems difficult at first, plate spinning is surprisingly doable with a bit of practice, and it has that perfect party-trick vibe—highly recommended.
It’s best to use a durable plate with a raised bottom.
Hook the stick onto the rim of the base, keep the stick straight, and spin it quickly; you’ll find it’s easier than you think.
Once you can spin a plate on your own, try exchanging spinning plates with a few people.
When you get good at it, keep a plate-spinning plate tucked in your bag so you’re ready to perform anytime!
Recommended for koma lovers! Tightrope-walking tricks
If you’re good at spinning tops, how about showing off a slightly more advanced trick called “tightrope walking”? In this trick, the top travels along a string that you hold taut with both hands.
Before attempting it, you first need to learn a move called “Swallow Return.” Swallow Return is a trick where you throw a top with its string wound and catch it spinning on your palm.
Once the top is on your palm, hook both ends of the string around your index fingers.
Raise the hand without the top slightly; when the top’s spindle touches the string, lower the raised hand and guide the top along—if it keeps moving, you’ve nailed the trick! Practice well and give it a try.
Challenge the bamboo dance
Why not try the bamboo dance, performed with long bamboo poles? Originally a traditional dance from places like the Philippines, it’s also well known in Japan as a children’s activity.
The operators open and close four bamboo poles to a waltz-like three-beat rhythm, while the dancers step deftly to avoid getting caught by the poles.
Because coordination between operators and dancers is crucial, it’s a great hidden talent to showcase with close friends or classmates.
Start practicing with two poles, and once you’ve got the rhythm down, increase the number.
Having multiple dancers raises the difficulty, but it also makes the performance more dynamic and impressive.
Lifting Play Song
“Lifting Play Song” is a playful song where you do keep-ups while singing.
It was born from an idea introduced in Hirotaka Nakagawa’s radio show “Visible Radio!” in the popular segment “Everyone’s Hidden Talents.” This song is a play song that lets you move your body to the music and have fun lightly using your feet and body as if you’re doing keep-ups together.
How about actually trying some keep-ups with this song? You can enjoy it with friends, too.
Be sure to try it as a performance at school!
Double Dutch with two ropes
Double Dutch, which uses two ropes, has a different kind of dynamism from regular jump rope and really gets everyone excited! The turners swing each rope from the left and right, and the jumper goes in between, jumps, exits, and can even add tricks.
When entering, keep the rhythm as if you’re reaching to catch the rope, and step into the center between the ropes.
Jump lightly, just like with regular long-rope jumping.
When exiting, if you’ve jumped an odd number of times, exit diagonally opposite from where you entered; if you’ve jumped an even number of times, exit on the same side you entered.
Practice well while being careful not to get injured, and show off your skills!