Since November last year, a single idea has been living rent-free in my mind — an image of a simple colouring page transforming into something… more. Not just art on paper, but a prediction, a moment of mental magic that brings joy and wonder to children. And this month, that idea will finally meet its first real audience.
Creating magic isn’t always about pulling rabbits out of hats. For me, it’s about pulling imagination into reality — and my newest trick is deeply rooted in exactly that. It’s a mentalist effect designed especially for children, blending prediction with creativity, and a healthy dose of surprise. The premise is simple: a child colours in a picture, and somehow, my toddler predicts exactly how they’d do it… without even being there! I then reveal that the picture they coloured has in fact been made into a real life object. I'm intentionally being vague as I want you see it for real. It’s a piece of theatre, psychology, and a bit of mischief wrapped into one.
The inspiration came from the most magical person I know: my son, Toby Tastic. Watching the way he engages with the world — how he colours with wild freedom, how he believes in the impossible without question — made me want to craft something that captured that sense of wonder. This trick is for him. And for every kid like him who believes in magic (because maybe, just maybe, it's real).
But let me tell you, bringing a new trick into the world isn’t easy. The process has been messy, full of trial and error. I’ve stitched together pieces from other routines I’ve learned over the years — methods, ideas, and tools I thought I’d long since shelved — to build something new. Creating magic is like building a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box.
This month, the trick will be trialled for the first time at a a few children’s parties. There’s no audience more honest or more demanding than a room full of kids buzzing on birthday cake. It’s a risk, but it’s also the perfect test. If it works — if they enjoy it — I’ll know I’ve got something special.
I’ll share more once it’s been performed, but for now, just know that something magical is coming. And it all started with crayons, a little bit of psychology, and a whole lot of love.
Stay curious,
Sam Tastic