11 Entertaining Rubber Band Tricks to Impress Your Friends

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A step-by-step rubber band trick guide for beginners
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Rubber band tricks are a fun form of close-up magic that anyone can learn. All you need are a rubber band (or a hair tie) and basic dexterity. Ready to master some snappy tricks? Read on for detailed tutorials explaining 11 rubber band and hair tie finger tricks. With enough practice, you can pull off these moves like a pro magician.

Method 1
Method 1 of 11:

Jumping Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Put a rubber band around your index and middle fingers. You can choose your dominant or non-dominant hand, whichever feels comfortable. Slide the band down so it’s at the base of your two fingers, just above your knuckles. Face the back of your hand to your spectator. [1]
    • If you’re using a large rubber band, wrap it twice around your fingers to make the trick easier. The band should fit snugly around your fingers.
    • This is a classic magic trick invented by magician Stanley Collins in the early 20th century.
  2. 2
    Stretch the rubber band against your fingers to show it’s securely positioned. Insert one finger from your free hand into the rubber band loop. Move that finger up and down to demonstrate that it’s secure—and distract your spectator from what you’re about to do. [2]
    • Only let the spectator see the back of your hand.
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  3. 3
    Discreetly curl all your fingers and wrap the band around them. As you’re stretching the rubber band up and down, curl your fingers and stretch it around all four of them. Hide this from the spectator by pretending you’re still just stretching the band up and down. Be sure your fingers are curled toward your chest. [3]
    • Place the band right below your cuticles.
  4. 4
    Uncurl your fingers quickly and watch the band jump. Because of the way you wrapped the band around your fingers, when you uncurl them, the band “jumps” down to your pinky and ring fingers. [4] As you uncurl them, say a phrase like “Voila!” for an added flourish.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 11:

Spinning Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Place a rubber band around your dominant thumb and middle finger. Slide the rubber band down so it’s at the first joint (bend), just below the tips of both fingers. [5] Let your index finger (aka your pointer finger) rest behind the rubber band, not in front of it or between its loop.
    • TikTokers made this trick go viral, calling it the spinning hair tie trick or the hair tie challenge . They do the trick in time to a snippet of the song “peekaboo” by Kendrick Lamar.
    • While it’s possible to do the trick with a loose hair tie, it works better with a flexible rubber band.
  2. 2
    Tuck your index finger over and through the band, removing your thumb. First, hook your index finger over the nearest side of the rubber band. Next, lift your index finger under the second side of the rubber band. Slip your thumb out of the band. It’s now twisted around your middle and index fingers in a figure-8 shape. [6]
    • If the band slips down your fingers, reposition it to be close to the fingertips.
  3. 3
    Create tension by stretching the rubber band with your thumb. Move your thumb under the rubber band and between your middle and index fingers. Then, move your thumb back, pulling the rubber band in a “>” shape. Pull until you’ve created a good amount of tension. [7]
    • It’s okay if your middle finger bends down when you do this—you’ll have to bend it down for the next part of the trick, anyway.
  4. 4
    Curl your middle finger and release the band. If you haven’t already bent your middle finger down at the top joint, do so. Curl it down toward your palm. When you’re ready, slip the middle finger out to release the band. Watch in amazement as it spins around your outstretched index finger. [8]
    • Once you slip your middle finger out of the band, lower your thumb so it’s out of the way during the spins.
    • Keep practicing the moves until you can execute this trick perfectly.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 11:

Teleporting Rubber Band Around Phone Trick

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  1. 1
    Place a rubber band around your wrist. Loop it around the wrist of either hand. Pull it to stretch it out, as you’ll need to be able to wrap it around your hand twice for the trick to work. [9]
  2. 2
    Pull and pinch the band between the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Grab it with your free hand, leaving it around your wrist. Tug one end of the band up and pull it down between your outstretched thumb and index finger. [10] Pinch it by pressing your thumb against your pointer finger.
  3. 3
    Wrap the band around your thumb, then around your fingers. First, pull the band down and back around your thumb. Once it’s around your thumb, curl your fingers in towards your palm. Pull the loop down from your thumb and wrap it around your four fingers. [11]
    • At the end, check that you have only one loop going around your thumb and fingers. The band is also tight around your wrist.
  4. 4
    Hold a phone up against your palm with your fingers outstretched. Uncurl your fingers. Face your palm toward your spectator. Hold your or their phone against your palm with your grip away from your tied wrist so you’re not obstructing the view. Press the phone against the band loop going down from your thumb. [12]
  5. 5
    Spread your fingers apart and watch the band jump. Lift your thumb away from your other fingers to release the loop. Because the phone is pressed against the loop, when you release the band from your fingers, it wraps around the phone. Ta-da! [13]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 11:

Twisted Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Place a rubber band around your dominant index finger and thumb. Position your hands so your palms are facing each other and your thumb is pointing up toward you. Slide your rubber band so it’s pulled between your index (pointer) finger and thumb. [14]
  2. 2
    Pinch the middle of the band with your free index finger and thumb. While stretching the band between your thumb and index finger, pinch it at its center with your other thumb and index finger. Tug at it, if you’d like. [15]
  3. 3
    Move your dominant thumb in a circle to twist the band. Tightly grip the band with your free hand. Flick your wrapped thumb around in a complete circle. This move twists the band. You must do it quickly and discreetly while distracting your spectator by tugging on the band. [16]
    • It’s easier if you tug the band away in a “<” shape (if pulling with your left hand) while rotating your thumb.
  4. 4
    Let go of the band to reveal the magic twist. Release your hand that’s pinching the band. Watch as friends wonder how the twist appeared while the band never left your thumb and index finger.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 11:

Broken and Restored Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Slip the rubber band around your dominant ring finger and under your pinky. Simply slip it over your ring finger—no need to twist it or wrap it. Once it’s hanging over your palm at the base of your ring finger, pull it toward your pinky with your opposite hand. Curl your pinky down over the band. [17]
    • Make sure you’re using a flexible rubber band for this trick. If it can’t be stretched very far, it won’t work.
  2. 2
    Grab the remaining rubber band with your opposite hand. Grab the whole band that’s sticking out next to your pinky between your fingers. Instead of putting your fingers through the band, press the sides of the band together. Secure the end between the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand for now. [18]
    • The easiest way to grab it correctly is to grasp it with your two pinkies touching. Then, rotate both hands inward so your fists are facing each other.
  3. 3
    Pinch the end of the band with your other thumb and index finger. Right now, you only see the band going across the bottom of your fists where your pinkies are. To make it go over your thumbs as well, grab it with your free thumb and index finger. Adjust your grip so you’re also holding it with your other thumb and index finger. Now it appears like you’re holding a whole rubber band normally with both hands [19]
  4. 4
    Pretend to break the rubber band in front of a spectator. With your grip secured, stretch the rubber band as if you’re pulling it to its limit. When you’re ready to “break” it, release the taut end from your thumb and index finger. Let the band recoil to your other thumb and index finger and quickly pinch the end so no one sees the loop. [20]
  5. 5
    Open your dominant hand and catch the rubber band in your other hand. To magically restore the rubber band, you have to readjust it without the spectator realizing it never broke. Open your dominant hand while pulling the band with your other hand, and it should snap into your opposite palm. If it tangles around your index finger, quickly pull it away while trying to cover it with your hands. [21]
  6. 6
    Rub the rubber band as if you’re repairing it magically. Pinch one part as you re-wrap it around your hands so it looks like you’re holding the “broken” ends together. Rub the pinching fingers over the band as you pretend to magically rejoin the ends. [22]
  7. 7
    Show off the restored rubber band. Release your pinching fingers and exclaim, “Ta-da!” You’ve magically restored the band to wholeness. Let your spectator inspect the band so they see there’s no knot, tape, or glue.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 11:

Rubber Band Through Thumb Trick

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  1. 1
    Place a rubber band just below the fingertips of your non-dominant hand. Slide it down so it’s around all your fingers, from your thumb to your pinky. Face your palm up toward you. [23]
  2. 2
    Hook your other hand’s thumb through the band. Moving toward your palm, take your other thumb and hook it under the band’s nearest loop so it’s inside the band. [24] Pull the band out away from your palm with your thumb so it’s stretched.
  3. 3
    Reach over your palm and hook the band with your index finger. Without releasing your thumb, take the index finger that’s next to it and reach over the band. Hook the finger over the outside of the farthest band line (the one nearest your opposite thumb). [25]
  4. 4
    Bring your index finger back and put your dominant thumb in the large loop. Once you’ve hooked the band with your index finger, pull your index finger back by rotating your hand away from the other one. Make the band cross over itself as you do this. Finally, point your thumb (the one next to the index finger wrapped with the band) into the larger rubber band loop around your other hand. [26]
    • When you move your index finger back, it should look as if you’re loading a slingshot.
    • Keep your index finger hooked (curled) for a secure grip around the band.
  5. 5
    Carefully release your index finger from the band. Keep your thumb pointed into the large loop and gently uncurl your index finger so it slips out of the band. Watch the band shrink toward your thumb, leaving a small loop. You’ve created a slip knot. [27]
    • This is the end of the set-up portion of the trick. You’re ready to perform!
  6. 6
    Position your hand so the spectator sees the back of your thumb. Hide the slip knot by angling your hands so the spectator only sees the back of your thumb. Show them the loop going around the thumb, not the one on the inside. [28]
  7. 7
    Release the slip knot by pulling the band with your other hand. The rubber band is still looped around your non-dominant hand. To pull off the trick of making the band seem to go through your thumb, simply pull the band away from your thumb with that hand. The slip knot undoes itself, and the band magically leaves your thumb, making it appear to the spectator as if the rubber band has gone through your thumb.. [29]
    • Be careful not to leave the band wrapped tightly around your thumb for too long. It could cut off your circulation.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 11:

Gravity-Defying Ring Trick

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  1. 1
    Cut a rubber band and get a ring for this trick. Take scissors and snip the band anywhere along its loop. Don’t cut it in half entirely, just snip one spot. Take the resulting rubber string and use it for this cool trick. Either find a ring of your own or ask your spectator to borrow a ring if they’re wearing one.
    • Have the rubber band already cut when you go to perform the trick. That way, it’s harder for the spectator to guess how your magic works.
  2. 2
    Thread the rubber band string through the ring. Pinch one end of the cut rubber band between your thumb and index finger. Thread the end of the band string through the ring. Grab the other side of the rubber band string about one-third of the way away from the end. Let the excess band on this side hang against your fingers so your spectator doesn’t see it. [30]
    • Let the ring slide down so it’s against your pointer finger on the side with the excess string. This is important for the trick to work.
    • Show the backs of your hands to the spectator.
  3. 3
    Stretch the band and slowly release the excess string. Tug at the band with your fingers that are close to the end, away from the ring. As you do so, slowly and carefully let the excess band slip through your opposite fingers. This creates the illusion that the ring is traveling along the band on its own.
    • Once the ring has traveled all the way (or you’ve run out of excess rubber band), let the spectator inspect the ring and band string to see that there’s no hidden wire.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 11:

Rubber Band Handcuffs Trick

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  1. 1
    Interlink two rubber bands around the thumbs and index fingers of both hands. Start by placing one rubber band around the thumb and index finger of your left hand. Place another band perpendicular to that one, underneath it. Slip your free thumb and index finger into it to link them together. Point your thumbs up and your fingers straight with your palms facing each other. [31]
    • When you pull your hands away from each other, the bands are interlinked. They form an “X” shape from above.
    • The bands appear to cuff your two hands together, not around the wrists, but around your fingers.
  2. 2
    Insert your right middle finger into the lower-right band loop. As you make a show of pulling the bands against each other, discreetly stick your right middle finger through the lower-right rubber band loop. [32]
  3. 3
    Pull your right index finger out of its rubber-band loop. In the same instant you insert your right middle finger, pull your right index finger away from the loop. This untangles the bands from one another. [33]
    • Don’t move your hands apart yet. Hold the bands close together as if they’re still interlinked.
  4. 4
    Rub the bands together to magically unlink them. Of course, you’ve already unlinked them by changing your finger positions. The spectator doesn’t know that. Impress them by rubbing the bands together until—“Abracadabra!”—you pull your hands apart and the link is undone. [34]
    • Quickly slide the bands off your fingers so the spectator doesn’t have time to question how one band is now around your middle finger instead of your index finger.
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Method 9
Method 9 of 11:

Linked and Unlinked Rubber Bands Trick

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  1. 1
    Place a rubber band around your index fingers and one around your ring fingers. First, hook the top rubber band around each of your pointer fingers. Next, hook the lower rubber band around your ring fingers. Face your palms toward each other with your fingers curled, so that the bands are parallel, one over the other. [35]
    • Pull your fists apart to create tension between the two bands.
    • Let the bands sit at the first creases below your fingertips.
  2. 2
    Stretch both bands around your middle fingers twice. First, insert your middle fingers into the upper band. Then, insert them into the lower band. The lower band should be sitting in front of the upper band, with both bands overlapping now. [36]
  3. 3
    Lift the upper band and place it below your index fingers again. This makes the bands appear to no longer be overlapping, although they are twisted around each other. The easiest way to do this is to lift the bottom of the upper band with your thumbs and slide it between your middle and index fingers. [37]
    • This is the end of preparing for the trick. You’re now ready to find a spectator and claim you can link and unlink the two seemingly unconnected bands.
  4. 4
    Release one middle finger to link the bands. Tell the spectator you’re going to magically connect the upper and lower bands. Subtly slip one of your middle fingers out of the loop to link them. [38]
  5. 5
    Release your other middle finger to unlink the bands. Stretch your hands apart to hide the movement. Simply pull your remaining looped middle finger out of the bands. They now appear unlinked and normally wrapped around your index and ring fingers. Voila! [39]
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Method 10
Method 10 of 11:

Disappearing Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Stretch a rubber band between your non-dominant thumb and index finger. Slide it over the top knuckles of your index (pointer) finger and your thumb, holding them apart so the band is taut. Make sure you have enough stretch to be able to reach through the band with your right hand. [40]
  2. 2
    Twist the band and slide it over your free thumb and index finger. Reach your free right hand through the top of the band loop. Grab the band and twist it over itself to make an “X” shape between your hands. Balance the new loop between your right-hand thumb and index finger, mirroring how you’re holding the other side. [41]
  3. 3
    Pinch your right thumb and index finger together between your left fingers. Bring your right-hand thumb and index finger together so that they touch behind the left rubber band loop. Place your fingers between your left-hand thumb and index finger as you do this. [42]
  4. 4
    Move the loop that’s around your right thumb to your left middle finger. Carefully poke your left-hand middle finger through the rubber-band loop that’s around your right-hand thumb. Slip your right thumb out as you do this. The result is a square in the middle of the rubber band configuration. [43]
  5. 5
    Insert your right thumb into the loop around your left index finger. Now that your right thumb is free, poke it through the loop around your left index finger. Pull your left index finger away as you do so. The one rubber band now looks like two that are pulled against each other. [44]
    • This is the end of preparing for the trick. Go find a spectator who believes there are two rubber bands across your fingers, so they’ll be amazed when one “disappears.”
  6. 6
    Pinch and ball up the “band” around your right-hand fingers. Bring your right thumb and pointer finger together at the center of the left-hand “band.” Coil the right-hand loop into a ball while rubbing the left-hand “band.” This undoes the crossed-over loops so one of your “bands” appears to disappear. [45]
    • When you’re balling it up, slide it off your fingertips so it can unwind.
  7. 7
    Pull the band apart, suggesting the other one disappeared. Unpinch your right thumb and pointer finger to reveal the singular band. Tug its ends and let the spectator inspect it and your hands. They’ll wonder where the other band went, not knowing there was only one to begin with. [46]
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Method 11
Method 11 of 11:

Pencil Through Rubber Band Trick

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  1. 1
    Stretch a rubber band between your dominant thumb and index finger. Slide it over the fingers and spread them apart to create tension in the band. Twist your hand so the palm is facing down and your fingers are pointing forward and toward the left. [47]
  2. 2
    Hold a pencil against the band to show it can’t pass through. Your rubber band is just a regular rubber band, and your pencil is just a regular pencil. Rub them against each other to prove it, placing your pencil against the band and between your fingers (close to your palm). Doing this helps you gain your spectator’s trust—and sets up the next move. [48]
  3. 3
    Pinch your dominant middle finger against your index finger. This allows you to secure the band while you manipulate it further. Curl your middle finger slightly to press it against your index finger where the band is. [49]
  4. 4
    Move your index finger from the top to the bottom loop. As you press the pencil against the rubber band, you create top and bottom loops. While pinching the top of the band with your middle finger, slide your index finger out of its loop and poke it through the lower one. The original loop will remain pinched between your index and middle fingers. [50]
  5. 5
    Turn your hand upside-down so your thumb is pointing up. Leaving the pencil pointing along the bands, tilt your hand upside-down. Now, your fingers are on the bottom, the back of your hand is out, and your thumb is pointing upward. This helps you cover the new loops you’ve made. [51]
    • Make sure you’re still pinching the band between your middle and index fingers.
  6. 6
    Quickly move the pencil out of the upper loop. Near the pencil’s tip, it’s tucked under a loop between your thumb and index finger. Quickly pull it back and slide it out from under that loop. It still has a loop around it—the one coming from between your middle and index finger. [52]
  7. 7
    Angle your hand to hide the loops with your other fingers. To make your spectator believe the pencil has gone through the rubber band, reorient your hand back to its original position. It appears that the original loop is in place around your index finger and thumb. [53]
  8. 8
    Release your middle finger from your index finger. Stop pressing them together and let the rubber band’s tension release. Now, the pencil is between the loops—how did it do that? Slide the pencil out of the loops and offer up the band for your spectator to inspect. [54]
    • Practice the moves by yourself until you can do them fast enough.
    • Film yourself or work in front of a mirror to learn how to position your hands so your trickery goes unnoticed by the spectator.
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      References

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