You don’t need expensive equipment to start learning magic. In fact, one of the easiest objects to practise with is something you probably already have nearby — a pen. These pen magic tricks are great tricks to impress your friends and family.
In this guide, we’ll show you 5 easy pen magic tricks that beginners can learn step by step. These magic tricks with pens use simple objects and straightforward movements, making them easy to practise at home.
Whether you want to make a pen disappear, balance it on your finger, or make it appear to move across a table, these simple pen magic tricks are a great place to start.
Why Learn Magic Tricks With Pens?
Pens are ideal for beginner magic because they’re familiar objects that don’t attract suspicion. You can practise with almost any ordinary pen without needing a professional magic set.
These magic tricks with pens also help you practise useful skills such as misdirection, balance, timing and smooth movements. Start slowly and concentrate on making each step look natural.
1. The Disappearing Pen
What you need: One pen and a sheet of paper
This simple trick makes a pen appear to disappear when it is covered by a sheet of paper. It’s a straightforward illusion and a good starting point for pen magic tricks for beginners.
How to do it:
- Place the pen horizontally on a table next to a sheet of white paper.
2. Pick up the sheet of paper and hold it vertically, with the pen behind it.
3. Move the paper so that it completely covers the pen from your audience’s view.
4. Keep the pen hidden behind the paper while showing the front of the paper.
5. Move the paper away and reveal the pen in its new position.
Practice tip: The important part is keeping the pen completely hidden while the paper is in front of it. Keep your movements smooth and don’t draw unnecessary attention to the paper.
2. The Balancing Pen
What you need: One pen
The balancing pen is one of the simplest easy pen magic tricks to practise. With the right balance point, you can make an ordinary pen appear to sit perfectly on your finger.
How to do it:
- Hold a pen horizontally above the tip of your index finger.
2. Slowly lower the pen until it touches your fingertip.
3. Find the point in the centre of the pen where it balances.
4. Keep the pen resting horizontally on your finger while moving your other hand away.
5. Hold the pen balanced for a few seconds before picking it up again.
Practice tip: Spend some time finding the balance point before performing the trick. Once you’ve found it, try to keep your finger completely still.
3. The Pen Through Paper
What you need: One pen and a sheet of paper
For this trick, a pen appears to pass through a sheet of paper. The large sheet of paper makes the effect easy to see and gives you plenty of room to perform the illusion.
How to do it:
- Place a black pen beside a sheet of white paper on a table.
2. Lay the pen across the centre of the sheet of paper.
3. Hold the paper and position the pen so that it appears to pass through its centre.
4. Lift the paper slightly while keeping the pen underneath it.
5. Show the paper clearly with the pen beside it once the illusion is finished.
Practice tip: Keep the paper large and easy for your audience to see. The simpler the presentation, the easier it is for your audience to follow the illusion.
4. The Floating Pen
What you need: One pen, a short piece of clear thread and transparent tape
The floating pen is one of the most visual pen magic tricks you can learn. With a small piece of clear thread, you can make an ordinary pen appear to float above a table.
How to do it:
- Place the pen horizontally on a table and attach a short piece of clear thread to it using a small piece of transparent tape.
2. Hold the other end of the thread above the pen, allowing the pen to hang below your hand.
3. Move your hand above the pen so that the thread runs down behind it, making the thread harder to see from the front.
4. Slowly raise your hand while keeping the thread connected to the pen, making the pen appear to float above the table.
5. Slowly lower your hand and bring the pen back toward the table.
6. Place the pen back on the table and remove the small piece of tape and clear thread.
Practice tip: Perform the trick from directly in front of your audience. Keep the thread behind the pen whenever possible, and practise in the lighting you’ll use when performing so the thread is difficult to notice.
5. The Jumping Pen
What you need: One pen and a table
The jumping pen makes it look as though an ordinary pen has travelled from one side of a table to the other. It’s a simple visual effect that makes a great final trick.
How to do it:
- Place the pen on the left side of a table.
2. Show your audience where the pen is and draw their attention to it.
3. Cover the pen completely with your hand.
4. Sweep your hand across the table while keeping the pen hidden.
5. Remove your hand on the other side and reveal the pen in its new position.
Practice tip: Make the sweeping movement smooth and natural. Your audience should concentrate on the moving hand while the pen is hidden.
Final Tips for Performing Pen Magic Tricks
These easy pen magic tricks show that you don’t need complicated equipment to start learning magic. An ordinary pen, a sheet of paper and a little practice can give you several simple effects to perform.
When practising magic tricks with pens, focus on making every movement look natural. Avoid rushing through the steps, especially when you’re first learning a trick.
It’s also useful to practise in front of a mirror. This lets you see exactly what your audience will see and helps you spot movements that might look suspicious.
Once you’ve mastered one trick, move on to the next. With these 5 pen magic tricks, you’ll have a simple collection of beginner-friendly effects that you can practise and perform almost anywhere.
