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 (1–10)
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?
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.
Challenge the ‘Jugemu’ tongue twister!
A classic staple among opening acts in rakugo! The tongue twister “Jugemu” is famous, and it’s surprising to learn it’s actually a person’s name.
The story goes that when auspicious words wishing for a long life were strung together, it ended up this long.
For elementary school kids, it may seem like a confusing string of words and feel difficult, but there are some funny phrases along the way, and near the end it finally sounds like a real name with “Chosuke.” If you can say it, that’s amazing! You’ll definitely get praised, so don’t give up—practice and wow everyone.
Hidden talents even elementary schoolers can do! A collection of act ideas to liven up events (11–20)
My First Diabolo
Why not try diabolo, a form of juggling? From a beginner’s perspective, it’s amazing how the string doesn’t get tangled, but the instructions explain the practice method clearly, so use them as a guide and give it a try.
We’ll start with the basic steps—how to spin the diabolo.
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 will become a hidden talent that’s useful in any situation.
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!
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!
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.