We Uncovered the Secrets to Magician's Most Complicated Tricks

Some folks will have you believe that magic isn’t real, but if you’ve ever watched a David Blaine special, you’ll know there’s a pretty convincing argument against that notion. Over the years, magicians have pulled off some incredible feats of trickery and showmanship that have had audiences believing in the power of magic. Of course, there’s always a trick, right? A magician never reveals his secrets — luckily, we’re not magicians. Here, you’ll find explanations for some of the most popular magic tricks in the world, beginning with kids' tricks and gradually escalating in complexity.

This first magic trick is an age-old favorite — and by that, we mean you probably remember your fun uncle or older cousin showing it to you when you were a kid. It’s a simple but highly effective trick and uses how we perceive motion to dazzle and enchant. To perform this trick, you need only a simple pencil. Hold it at the eraser and shake it up and down to make it appear as though the pencil is made of rubber.

Remember that scene in the first Matrix when Neo meets the child who can seemingly bend spoons with his mind? Turns out, it’s not that hard to do! The key to nailing this trick is how you hold the spoon. Press down on the utensil and glide your hand up and down the handle. The spoon will seemingly bend at your touch. Let it be known — the Matrix is still as relevant today as it was when it was released in the '90s.

Who says magic and science can’t coexist? If you think about it, mastering the laws of physics is a lot like performing spells, and mixing different chemicals and elements is just modern-day alchemy. For this trick, a peeled, hard-boiled egg fits into a much smaller glass hole through the clever use of science. Heating the glass causes it to soften, allowing its shape to be manipulated. The egg falls through the hole in perfect condition — just don’t ask how to get it out again!

Ever wanted to freeze water instantly? Well, you won’t be able to do that with this trick, but your friends will surely think you can! This one is another “science-based” magic trick, so kids will likely learn something here too. You’ll need to store a water bottle in the freezer for at least two hours. When you take it out, pour it over a cold, flat surface — ice packs work great — and watch the magic happen! You can even take it a step further by adding food coloring.