Well, you guys are going to be future magicians (hopefully). So, you need to know how to approach the spectator. If you're on the streets, it is difficult ESPECIALLY if you are shy. Go to places where there is outside tables such as famous coffee shops where people just like to sit and drink coffee. Wherever is good that has nice people will work for you. Have the cards in your hand and ask if you can sit down and that you need help and square the deck on the table (if there is one, if there are no tables and you're just on the street tell them you need help with the cards in your hand). If they notice the cards they should know it involves them and it's most likely fun. So if they say yes, tell them what to do for the trick. (i.e., pick a card and memorize it.) They will be obligated after that and you show them the trick. Try and find someone that doesn't look busy, is dressed casual and doesn't look like a stuck up priss who has no fun and isn't interested in what a stupid kid has to say or do. Those people are not the ones you want to show your tricks to. Someone who is dressed nice but not office nice. Maybe a smile on his or her face. So make sure to approach them with "Are you busy? I need your help with something for a moment." It should work quite nicely ;). Tips how to appeal and what not to do during tricks (or after / before the performance) coming up in the next paragraph.
You guys must be thinking "uggghhh" right now. "Why do we have to learn this?ehhhhh!!!!!!(whiny voice) " Well, it's VERY important to becoming a great magician. READ THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL!!
Well first of all, don't start off your magic by approaching strangers. Some people are real dicks out there. So, what you want to do, is to start off performing them for your family. I know, I know. IT SEEMS LAME! But your family will most likely appreciate your tricks, and it's a great way to see how you need to work on your performance. If they see a flaw in your trick or find out how it was done, practice it more so other people don't. They shouldn't catch you though, because before you show a trick to ANYONE, practice at the magician's view and then in front of a mirror (spectator's view).
Okay. So you know how to approach them. That's great. But now you have to do the trick. Add jokes throughout your performance. (i.e. : Pick a card any card...*spectator reachs* NO!not that one!) It could be anything like use a clean hand. Just make the performance fun! Don't just do the trick only! do whatever you can to be funny and make the spectator laugh. If you can make something up during the trick like say you're gonna make the card disappear, then you say you can make it disappear or some funny thing. and if they say really or wow say no I can't do that, or something make them laugh in anyway possible even if it's stupid. Spectator entertainment is VERY important. Otherwise they get bored with you and say "What am I doing this for?" Always make it fun, have a good attitude, and keep the spectator entertained. If you sit there with a puss on and say "Pick a card" and just do your normal routine, they won't be impressed with the trick you are doing. But if you want to catch the spectator off guard, then you can start off a LITTLE boring (but not too much or for too long!) then do something
BAM! Exciting! then they'll be shocked. For example, act all dull in the beginning and then, for example, throw their card out from the deck while it's placed somewhere random and have it boomerang back to you and show them. That's a bit flashy, and NOT reccomended for the beginners. It's complicated in the beginning, so don't try it. Figure out something else that's flashy.
At the end of a trick or during a trick, don't brag. DON'T! Don't keep a weird smile when doing it and don't say impressive huh if you say you can do something. at the end don't say something like "I was pretty good huh" or "did you figure out the trick" or "did you like it." those things can KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!I'm serious. Never do that. It is the downfall of a magician. People will see you as smug and an ass. It makes the spectators dislike you and they will never watch your magic again. If they compliment you just say "oh, why thank you!" and leave them as a casual fellow, not like "haha that stupid guy didn't figure out the trick :) he's so stupid!"
Follow these steps and you should be a good performer. People will enjoy watching you! You'll become famouse ;D