We wanted to share this awesome trick we taught in our live Halloween workshop this year! In the video above, Brian performs the trick, shows how to cut out the template, and then reveals how it works.
Materials
- Printed broomstick template (on cardstock if you have it)
- Scissors
The Build
- The printable comes with 2 sets of broomstick props which is great for parents and kids to do this together! Cut the paper in half so everyone gets their own pair of brooms.
- Carefully cut to the outside of the black border of each broomstick.
- That's it! Discard any paper scraps.
How does this work?
- This is an old optical illusion with a halloween twist.
- When the short side of one shape is next to the long side of the other shape one of them looks shorter than the other.
- But we know they are the same size and we can prove that by putting one on top of the other.
- By itself this is not a magic trick, but with a little acting we can add a new layer!
Performing
- Hold one broomstick in each hand so that they are facing your audience and so that one is above the other
- Because of the optical illusion, it should look like the top broomstick is shorter
- Explain that as a wizard or witch it is important that all broomsticks be the same length.
- Now notice that the top broomstick is too short.
- Put down the bottom broomstick and pretend to stretch the top one. (This is all acting! Just pretend so you don't accidentally rip the paper)
- Now pick up the other broomstick and hold it ABOVE the other one.
- It looks like you stretched the other broomstick too much.
- Repeat the steps again by putting down the bottom one, stretching the top one, and bringing the other one back and holding it above the one you just stretched.
- When you are ready to finish, shake both broomsticks and put them back to back to show they are now the same size
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