So you want to get into magic. Brilliant choice. But let’s be honest : the moment you type “magic tricks for beginners” into Google, you’re hit with a tsunami of props, kits, flashy gimmicks, and stuff that looks cool but… absolutely won’t help you progress. This guide is here to save you time, money, and a few headaches.
Before we dive in, quick note : if you enjoy crafting or building small props yourself, the site https://loisirs-creatifs-castres.fr has plenty of creative materials that can be handy for magic DIY. I’ve used it once or twice when I needed sturdy card stock for homemade gimmicks.
1. A Good Deck of Cards (Seriously, Start Here)
I know, I know – it sounds too simple. But card magic is the gateway drug of the magic world. A deck is cheap, portable, reliable, and it trains your hands faster than any fancy gimmick. Personally, I still remember buying my first “proper” deck in a tiny shop near Soho. The guy told me, “If you can’t impress with a deck, no prop will save you.” He was right.
Go-to choice : a standard Bicycle deck. Affordable, consistent, perfect for learning sleights.
Why you need it : It teaches timing, misdirection, and audience management – the real foundations of magic.
2. A Set of Sponge Balls
If you want reactions – real, loud, surprised reactions – sponge balls are gold. They’re soft, bright, visual, and the magic happens in the spectator’s hands. You can’t beat that.
Plus, they’re surprisingly fun to practice with. I used to carry them in my coat pocket during commutes, just rolling and squeezing them while rehearsing retention vanishes. Sounds weird, but it works.
Beginner tip : Get a set of 1.5″ or 2″ balls. Too big and you’ll struggle ; too small and the effect loses impact.
3. A Thumb Tip (The Legend)
The thumb tip is the most underestimated prop in magic. It looks silly and plasticky, but wow – once you know how to handle it, it becomes a Swiss Army knife of illusions : vanishes, transformations, switches.
The secret ? Don’t stare at your hand like it’s burning. Act natural. Move naturally. The thumb tip hides in casualness, not in shadows.
What to buy : A classic hard plastic model. Don’t go for ultra-soft versions early on ; they’re harder to control.
4. A Set of Coins (Nothing Fancy)
You don’t need gimmicked coins to start. Your everyday pocket change is enough to learn the basics : French Drop, shuttle pass, coins across… all the fun classics.
If you’re in the UK, 10p and 2p coins handle pretty nicely. In the US, half dollars are the standard. I’ve practiced with all three, and half dollars still feel the smoothest in the hand.
Why it matters : Coin magic trains your fingers differently from cards. It sharpens dexterity and teaches you to manage angles better than almost any other branch of magic.
5. A Close-Up Pad
This one surprised me. I spent months practicing on a wooden table… until I bought a small close-up pad. Suddenly my cards stopped sliding away, my coins landed softly, and everything looked cleaner. It felt like going from rehearsing on the floor to performing on a real stage.
Choose a medium-sized pad : around 40×30 cm is perfect for beginners.
Bonus : it protects your cards and gives you a “performance space,” even at home.
6. A Beginner-Friendly Magic Book
Yes – a book. In 2025. With paper and pages. Trust me, the best fundamentals still live in books. Videos are great to see moves, but books force you to understand techniques more deeply.
If you’re overwhelmed, start with titles that focus on simple but strong routines. You’ll thank yourself later. Also, flipping through an actual book while practicing feels oddly grounding, almost like you’re entering a long tradition.
7. A Small Carry Case or Pouch
This sounds boring, but it’s one of the smartest purchases you can make. When you start practicing more regularly, your props end up scattered everywhere – pockets, drawers, under couch cushions (don’t ask). A small pouch keeps everything clean and ready.
Tip : Avoid huge magician kits. A simple zip pouch is perfect.
What You *Don’t* Need (Yet)
I’ll be blunt : avoid big “magic kits” with 100 plastic props promising miracles. They often end up in the bin. Also skip overly complex gimmicks before learning the basics – they give you results but not skills.
If something looks like a shortcut, chances are it is… and shortcuts rarely help you become a good performer.
Final Thoughts : Start Simple, Get Good, Then Level Up
Beginning magic is a mix of excitement and confusion – totally normal. My advice ? Start with these essentials, practice small routines, perform for friends, get those first awkward-but-amazing reactions. That’s what hooks you.
And you’ll see : once the basics feel natural, the whole world of magic opens up. Stage illusions, mentalism, close-up artistry… it all becomes accessible.
So grab a deck, pick a couple of props, and start creating your first bits of wonder. Magic grows the moment you share it.
