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!
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Hidden talents even elementary schoolers can do! A collection of act ideas to liven up events (11–20)
Challenge the bamboo dance
Why not try your hand at a bamboo dance that uses long bamboo poles? It originated as a traditional dance in places like the Philippines, but in Japan it’s also well known as a children’s activity.
The operators open and close four bamboo poles to a waltz-like three-beat rhythm, while the dancers step nimbly to avoid getting caught by the poles.
Because coordination between the operators and dancers is crucial, it’s a great recommendation for those looking for a party trick to perform with close friends or classmates.
Start by practicing with two poles, then increase the number once you’ve got the rhythm down.
Having multiple dancers raises the difficulty, but it also adds to the performance’s color and impact.
Magic
Even as an elementary school student, you can amaze your friends with simple magic tricks.
With familiar items like a pencil-bending trick or making a coin vanish, anyone can give it a try.
Don’t worry—if you search online, you’ll quickly find how to practice.
When choosing tricks, pick ones that are easy for the audience to understand and easy for you to practice.
If you start practicing a little today, by tomorrow’s recess you might already be a little magician who entertains everyone in your class.
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.
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.
Unicycle master!
A unicycle is more challenging than a bicycle because it doesn’t have handlebars.
That’s exactly why people who can ride one look so impressive! It’s also a perfect idea to show off as a hidden talent.
The key to riding a unicycle is to focus on moving forward from your navel.
Start by simply pedaling straight, then gradually try turning and taking curves.
Performing solo is great, but forming a team with a few people and presenting a dance-like routine to music is also highly recommended! Give it a try!
A classroom-relatable skit
There are certain things at school that make everyone go, “So true!” right? Like the crushing sleepiness after school lunch or after swimming class, or the way the person whose attendance number matches the date always gets called on… How about putting on a short skit that showcases those school ‘relatable moments’? It’s a great idea to include not only things every elementary school student has probably experienced, but also quirks unique to your own school.
Doing impressions of distinctive teachers could be fun, too! Since the skit is built around shared experiences, it’s sure to get natural laughs from the audience.
Funny parody song
In this video, they humorously arrange a parody of the song “Tsubasa wo Kudasai.” With parodies, if you don’t choose a clear theme and make the lyrics straightforward, it can be hard to tell what you’re trying to say.
It’s probably best not to use songs that are too fast, and to write the lyrics in simple, easy-to-catch words so they’re easier to understand.
Rhythm Jump Rope
Rhythm jump rope is also famous thanks to Angola Muracho from the comedy duo Nyanko Star.
It involves jumping rope lightly as if dancing, with music playing.
Unlike competing in jump rope tricks like double unders or the Hayabusa, this style is popular because anyone who can do regular jump rope can master it with a little practice.
It looks flashy, so it really energizes the crowd.
Flash Anzan
Flash mental arithmetic is where you add numbers that appear one after another on the screen.
You may have seen people with amazing records doing flash mental arithmetic on TV or YouTube—they accurately calculate numbers displayed at a speed so fast it’s hard to even follow with your eyes, which is truly astonishing.
Flash mental arithmetic is a type of abacus-based mental calculation, where the person performs abacus operations in their head, so it seems best to start by mastering how to use a soroban (abacus).
tongue twister
When it comes to party tricks, being able to perform anytime, anywhere is really important, right? That’s why I recommend tongue twisters as a hidden talent you can show off with nothing but yourself—no props needed.
You can go with lots of classic tongue twisters, impress everyone with a really long one, or even create and perform your own original versions! Practice challenging tongue twisters that no one else can easily imitate, and rehearse until you can get through them smoothly without tripping over your words.