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How to Make an Illusion Box With a Trapdoor

Create a large scale magic trick that is easy enough for a child to do. Add a trap door to a cardboard box and your child can use it to make his little brother or sister disappear, at least temporarily. Paint the box black for a mysterious look or allow your child to decorate the box with her own magical designs. This is a great activity for a birthday party with a magic theme.

Things You'll Need

Large cardboard box
Box cutter
Large pieces of corrugated cardboard, 2
Duct tape
Paint (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Tape the bottom of the box closed.
- 2
  Turn the box upside-down and draw a line 1-inch inside the edge on three sides. Cut along this line. Cut along the outside edge of the bottom of the box on the fourth side to remove the bottom from the box. Your box will have no bottom except for a 1-inch lip around three sides.
- 3
  Place the bottom of the box on a large piece of cardboard and trace around it. Cut two pieces of cardboard this size.
- 4
  Tape one piece to the bottom of the box along the edge without the lip to make a trap door.
- 5
  Fold an 8-inch strip of duct tape in half lengthwise to make a handle. Tape the ends of the handle to the bottom of the trap door near the side opposite the hinge.
- 6
  Cut the top off the box and duct tape the second square of cardboard on top of the box to make a hinged lid. The hinge for the top of the box should be on the opposite side of the box as the trap door's hinge.
- 7
  Paint the box black inside and out or use your own designs to decorate it, if desired.
- 8
  Place the box so that the hinge of the lid is furthest away from the audience. Have a small child step into the box, and close the lid. Tip the box forward with the lid closed. Wait enough time to allow the child in the box to crawl out the back and hold the trap door closed. Open the box to show it is empty.

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