Learn a mentalist trick
Learn a simple mentalist trick using cards and clever questions to guess a chosen card, practicing observation, memory, and confident performance skills.
Step-by-step guide to perform a simple mentalist card trick
FOOLING Mentalism Trick You Can do With ANY PAPER! Read Two Minds! EASY Magic Tutorial
Step 1
Pick up your deck of cards and a scrap of paper and pencil for notes.
Step 2
Look at and remember the very bottom card of the deck and do not move it; this is your secret "key card."
Step 3
Fan the deck and ask a friend to pick one card and quietly look at it without showing you.
Step 4
Tell your friend to place their chosen card back on top of the deck.
Step 5
Cut the deck by lifting a small chunk from the top and placing it under the rest so your key card ends up directly above the chosen card.
Step 6
Slowly spread the cards face-up and find your memorized key card.
Step 7
Look at the single card immediately below your key card to see the spectator’s chosen card.
Step 8
Write or say two short, mysterious questions to build suspense like “Is it a number or a face?” and “Is it red or black?” to practice your patter.
Step 9
Practice the full trick out loud three times with a family member using your questions and a confident reveal.
Step 10
Share your finished mentalist trick and a short video or photo of your performance on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a deck of cards or a pencil and scrap paper?
You can make a small deck by cutting index cards or paper and use any pen, crayon, or marker as your pencil so you can still pick a bottom key card and jot notes on your scrap of paper.
What should I do if I accidentally disturb the key card when I cut the deck?
If you disturb the key card when cutting, practice the exact cut on the table keeping the bottom card in view or add a tiny inconspicuous pencil dot on the back of the key card so you can find it when you spread the cards face-up.
How can I change the trick for younger or older children?
For younger kids, use a smaller handmade deck, ask just one simple question like 'red or black,' and practice the reveal once, while older kids can add confident patter, extra suspense questions, and a recorded performance to post on DIY.org.
How can we make the trick more impressive or personal?
Personalize the trick by writing your two mysterious questions on the scrap of paper to perfect your patter, giving yourself a stage name, marking the key card subtly with a tiny sticker, and filming the final reveal to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to perform a simple mentalist card trick
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Facts about magic and mentalism for kids
🃏 A standard deck has 52 cards — magicians often use that to build simple, reliable tricks!
👀 Great mentalists train observation: tiny tells like hesitation, eye movement, or finger placement give big clues.
🧠 Memory athletes can memorize thousands of digits; beginners can learn powerful mnemonics to remember small card sets.
🎩 Mentalism is mostly clever psychology, observation, and misdirection — not real supernatural powers.
🎯 The way you ask questions and perform with confidence often makes a correct guess feel truly magical.
How do you teach a child a simple mentalist card trick?
What materials do I need for a kid-friendly card mentalism trick?
What ages is learning a simple card mentalist trick suitable for?
What are the benefits of teaching kids a mentalist card trick?
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