Let's Go...To a Magic Show! "The Floating Person"

Children love magic shows. Here’s an illusion your children will enjoy doing together. During this trick’s preparation, a sheet will need to be held up like a curtain in front of the performers.

Preparation:

One child goes on his knees and faces the side of the “stage.” He holds two hockey sticks or broomsticks out in front of him, standing straight up. A pair of clunky sneakers go on the end of each stick. Still on his knees, he leans back as far as he can. His two assistants drape a blanket over him, covering him from his shoulders to his fake feet. The blanket should be long enough so when he’s standing, it reaches the floor. The curtain is then dropped.

Performance:

While the child is in kneeling position, one assistant stands behind his head and lifts him from the shoulders and the other assistant stands by his “shoes” and pretends to lift as well. Lift slowly and dramatically until he looks like he’s lying in the air. In reality, he’s now standing with his sticks in front of him. The assistants count to three and then let go! After a few seconds in the air, the assistants help him slowly lower himself back to the ground.

TIP | The floating person should bounce very gently, to give himself a floating appearance.

It’s fun to turn your kitchen into a 1950s ice cream parlor and even more fun to eat the creations.

Let's Go...To The Ice Cream Parlor! 

Since the real thing is off-limits, you can have fun turning your kitchen into a 1950's style ice cream parlor...and even more fun eating the creations. 

Ice Cream Soda Recipe

Ingredients

• ¼ cup milk
• 3 Tbsp Chocolate syrup
• 2 scoops chocolate/vanilla ice cream
• Bottle of seltzer
• Whip cream, maraschino cherry, or chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour the milk and syrup into a tall 16 oz. glass (or a tall, plastic fluted cup) and mix well.
2. Add two scoops of ice cream.
3. Fill the glass ¾ of the way with seltzer.
4. Add any or all of the optional toppings.
5. Serve with a straw and a long-handled spoon.

Getting Ambitious?

Decorate your kitchen like an ice cream parlor. Make an awning by cutting thick white and pink strips from a large piece of oak tag. Tape the strips to your oven hood, allowing a few inches to hang past the end of the hood. Cut the bottom of the awning into a scalloped design and fold the end of the awning down. Write up a menu (such as the one below) on a small chalk board or white oak tag.

• Root beer Float: 25¢
• Chocolate Sundae: 35¢
• Banana Split: 50¢
• Ice Cream Soda: 25¢