How to Do the Magic Coloring Book Trick

Make your own magic moment with one of the easiest stage tricks ever.

The magic coloring book illusion is a time-tested classic — no crayons required. One second the pages are blank, the next they're filled with drawings, and by the end, they're fully colored. It's a crowd-pleaser, especially with kids, and it's simple enough for anyone to learn in minutes.

🎥 Watch the short tutorial below to learn the secret behind the trick and how to present it like a pro. All you need is a special magic book, a little sleight of hand, and maybe a wand to sell the effect.

You will need

• Magic coloring book

• Audience

• Magic wand (optional)

Present the coloring book

Present the coloring book to the audience. While holding your thumb at the bottom of the book, quickly flip the pages to reveal a blank coloring book.

Recruit an assistant

Ask the audience for an assistant. Pick a child from the audience.

A magic wand always makes a trick look more authentic. Let your assistant hold it.

Explain how the trick works

Position your thumb on the book so that it retains different-sized pages. When your thumb is at the top, it shows black and white pages; at the bottom, blank pages; and in the middle, color pages.

Make a picture appear

Hold up the book and tell the audience that you will magically add pictures to the blank book. Have your assistant wave the magic wand.

When it is time to say the magic words, get everyone excited. Ask the audience to say "abracadabra" along with you on the count of three.

Reveal black and white pictures

Hold your thumb at the top corner of the book and quickly flip the pages to reveal black and white pictures.

Add color

Have your assistant wave the wand to add some color to the book. Hold your thumb in the middle of the edge of the book and flip the pages to reveal colored pictures.