Definitely for fun. I’ve done some busking and seriously considered a career as a birthday clown who does some magic tricks. Most of my tricks actually come from the dollar store. I think the company is FanstmaMagic. While some of the tricks are cheaply made, most are fairly sturdy and work well. My most expensive prop is a spring raccoon (When properly manipulated, it appears to move by itself and actually be alive. YouTube has videos of Robbie The Raccoon, which is the brand I have).
Suranyi Don’t give up! I am also a klutz. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. I can’t do 99% of card tricks because they require manual dexterity. Know your shortcomings and design the routine around them. Fer example
I have a box and a cube with a different color on each face. The trick requires quickly putting the closed box behind your back and doing some sleight of hand. I needed more time. So, I devised The Magic Butt routine. Ya see, my magic power resides in my gluteus. So, to know what color is up in the closed box, I need to rub it on my butt. The rubbing gives me extra time to work the trick. But the kids find it hilarious and the adults are generally distracted by it. I’ve fooled adults with my Magic Butt trick. If you too want a Magic Butt, I’ve seen the trick sold as Houdini Box at Target for just a dollar.
I want to learn some mentalism as well. Some mentalist tricks require no props at all, let alone sleight of hand.
I am also fond of flash paper, and flash cotton. I haven’t found a way to incorporate it into my routines but I love the spectacle of it.
Second, my persona is a clown who was kicked out of the circus for not being good enough. Rather than bold, dramatic gestures, the Silly Man moves slowly and hesitantly- afraid that he’ll mess up. The story and the persona gets kids on my side and allows for screw ups.