Hidden talents even elementary school kids can do! A collection of performance ideas that will liven up any event
At school events or gatherings with friends, you might feel stuck when someone says, “Show us a party trick!” But don’t worry! There are plenty of simple acts that even elementary schoolers can do, like magic tricks using everyday items, playing the recorder you learned in class, or traditional skills like string figures and spinning tops.
Here, we’ll introduce lots of easy tricks that will wow everyone with just a little practice.
We’ve gathered a wide range—from things you can try with friends to quick solo acts—so find the one that suits you best!
Hidden talents even elementary schoolers can do! A collection of act ideas to liven up events (1–10)
Instant Magic! Telekinetic Chopsticks
Let me show you some simple magic tricks you can do with disposable chopsticks at a banquet hall.
By threading the chopsticks through a loop formed by your fingers, you can imbue them with “telekinetic power” so they appear to move without being touched.
First, cross a pair of Japanese disposable chopsticks and rub near the base with your right hand; the vibration grows stronger toward the tips, making the chopstick in your left hand hop up and down.
Another trick is to place the crossed chopsticks on a table and make them “move” with telekinesis.
In this one, you draw the audience’s gaze to the hand supposedly channeling power, while in reality you secretly blow on the chopsticks to make them move.
Elementary school kids’ manzai comedy! Five in a row
How about a strategy where you rattle off a bunch of not-so-funny, elementary-school-level gags to chill the mood or sober people up? Even things that aren’t funny can have meaning.
The moment you realize not everything has to land, your mindset starts to shift positively.
And if the gags themselves don’t get a laugh, you can tie it all together by saying, “Did that help sober anyone up? Did it make things feel a bit cooler?”—and just like that, your corny jokes take on a purpose.
No rehearsal party trick!
When it comes to party tricks, it often happens that someone says, “Hey, let’s try something right now!” on the spur of the moment.
For times like that, I recommend no-practice-required hidden talents.
There are a few, but to give some examples: a game where you guess what object is being held between someone’s butt cheeks, and qigong tricks.
As you might guess, with qigong, the technique that matters is not the person supposedly doing it, but the person it’s being done to.
If someone “hits you with qigong,” try dramatically flying backward or spinning around.
It’s guaranteed to get laughs.
Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy! Plate spinning
Although it seems difficult at first, plate spinning is surprisingly doable with a little practice, and it really has that party-trick feel—highly recommended.
Choose plates that are durable and have a base.
Hook the stick onto the rim of the base, keep the stick straight, and spin it quickly; it’s easier than you’d think.
Once you can spin one by yourself, try exchanging spinning plates with a few people.
If you get really good, you might find yourself always keeping a plate-spinning plate tucked in your bag.
Fun, isn’t it?
A tube-ken like a kendama!
When it comes to traditional Japanese toys, there’s kendama, but it requires equipment and you have to carry it around with you.
I’m not sure how it came to be, but there’s a game called “tsutsuken” that you can play like kendama using just a simple tube and a ball that’s a bit too big to fit entirely inside the tube.
For the tube, you could even use something like the container from tube-shaped potato chips.
It’s easy to get started, so practice regularly and be sure to show it off in front of everyone!
Lifting Play Song
“Lifting Play Song” is a song you can play with while doing keep-ups as you sing.
It was born from an idea introduced in Hirotaka Nakagawa’s radio program ‘Visible Radio!’ in the popular segment ‘Everyone’s Hidden Talents.’ This song is a play song where you move your body to the music and lightly use your feet and body together like doing keep-ups.
But how about actually trying real keep-ups with this song? You can enjoy it with friends and family.
Be sure to use it to liven up events or school performances!
Ensemble of plastic bottle shakers
Let’s try performing with handmade instruments made from plastic bottles! The sound changes depending on the thickness and shape of the bottle and what you put inside, so experiment with different ideas as you make them.
Once your instrument is ready, start tapping out rhythms along with a song right away! The pitch will likely vary depending on the instrument, so try arranging the order in which you play them.
I think choosing a simple melody works well, but if you boldly pick a popular song everyone loves, it might get the crowd even more excited.
