Oberhausen: HOUSE OF MAGIC – powered by Ehrlich Brothers

House of Magic in Oberhausen is interesting because it turns you from spectator into participant. You walk through rooms built like a magic story, from shrinking down into the Ehrlich Brothers suitcase to chasing light, shadows, and mirror tricks that refuse to behave.

I especially like the 110+ interactive exhibits you can actually touch and try, not just watch. I also like the 360° cinema magic instruction, where the Ehrlich Brothers explain a trick, plus your visit includes a chance to do hands-on “magic workshop” activities.

The main drawback to plan around is that parts of the experience use effects and a virtual reality flight. It is not suitable for people with epilepsy, and kids under 3 years cannot join in.

Key things I’d prioritize before you go

• 110+ exhibits built for hands-on puzzles, games, and illusions
• Magic workshop with odd objects and cause-and-effect surprises
• Shadows and mirrors rooms that make you second-guess what you see
• VR flight and teleportation moments for thrill-seekers
• Photo set spots like giant vehicles for easy selfies
• 360° trick lessons plus the option of a free online workshop

House of Magic Oberhausen: a family-friendly illusion park in Centro’s backyard

This is not a stuffy museum day. House of Magic is designed like a puzzle route, where the fun is figuring things out and then trying again. Even if you come with adults who think they are immune to magic, the big appeal is simple: you get to participate.

You also get the Ehrlich Brothers flavor throughout. Their stage energy shows up in the sets, the props, and the way the experience is framed like a story. You can spot their stage outfits, and you can even take photos with original exhibits connected to their tour shows.

The whole thing is aimed at mixed ages, which matters in Germany where family plans often need one ticket price that works for everyone. The experience is built as one ticketed visit of two hours, so you are not stuck “wandering all day” waiting for the magic to kick in.

How the 2-hour visit really feels at Westfield Centro Promenade

Location is one of the underrated wins here. House of Magic sits right at Westfield Centro Promenade. If you are already in the mall area, you can get your bearings fast: from the Promenade, take the escalator on the Promenade, and you should be directly in front of the venue.

For parking, Centro has multi-storey car parks 1 and 2, and parking is free there. If you enter from multi-storey car park 1, you can reach the venue via level 2.

Plan your timing like this: you are reserving entry for a selected date and time, and the ticket is only valid for that slot. If you arrive late, they try to fit you into a later time if there are places, so arrive early and treat the “on time” rule seriously. Two hours goes quickly once you get moving between exhibits, especially with kids who want to try every single thing twice.

110+ hands-on magic exhibits, including the suitcase and workshop objects

The core experience is a self-guided flow through over 110 exhibits. The attraction’s hook is that it invites you to “become part of the magic.” You are not just reading labels. You are interacting, guessing, testing, and watching what happens when you trigger illusions.

One of the biggest theme moments is the idea that you shrink to the size of a mouse and land in the Ehrlich Brothers suitcase. That size-play matters because it changes your viewpoint. Props that look small become huge, and that shift is what makes a lot of the illusions feel personal, like you are in the scene rather than standing outside it.

In the magic workshop area, you get a hands-on lineup of strange effects, such as:

• a unicycle that turns into a no-wheel idea
• a book that turns the pages by itself
• a box that contains an infinite store

Then there are interactive physical challenges with playful motion: teetering on a toothbrush, bouncing on a giant tablet to catch sweets, and building light effects. If your group likes activities that involve body movement, this is where the energy jumps.

Shadows and mirrors rooms that make your brain work overtime

A big chunk of the experience is built around illusion rooms where shadows and mirrors take the lead. This is where you can slow down and actually watch your own assumptions fail in real time.

In these areas, you can explore how many illusions can be hidden in shadows and mirrors. There are setups where whimsical sculptures cast surprising images on the wall, where shadows seem to take on a life of their own, and where mirrors can make visitors seem invisible.

I like these sections because they reward focus. You can stand back and still enjoy it, but the most fun comes when you try to predict what will happen, then test it by changing your position or angle. That is a great fit for families too, because kids often enjoy “spot the trick” games even when they cannot fully explain the mechanism.

If you have someone in your group who is easily overwhelmed, you can use the room pacing to your advantage. Take it in small chunks. Step out, regroup, then go back in.

Photo moments with giant vehicles and a monster-truck style selfie plan

House of Magic is built for cameras. Throughout the experience, there are places designed for photos and videos you can share afterward. This is not an afterthought. The sets are created with big, recognizable motifs so you can grab a selfie without hunting for the one perfect spot.

One standout idea is the chance to take a selfie in front of large, eye-catching props like a giant monster truck and a golden Lamborghini. If your family likes “proof we were there” pictures, these spots save you time.

There is also an extra room with particularly unusual motifs where you may see effects that include your head getting grilled and an experience where the Ehrlich Brothers make you float. I cannot promise exactly how you will experience each effect, but the overall goal is clear: memorable visuals, not subtle magic.

My practical advice: bring your phone, keep it charged, and plan for a few stops where you do not rush the trick. When you rush, you miss the best angle.

Virtual reality flight and the live teleportation experience

If you want something that feels like a modern upgrade to stage magic, this is where it happens. You can test flying skills on a virtual reality ride, described as a daring flight.

Then there is teleportation, presented as something you can experience live in the House of Magic. The pitch here is that teleportation has mostly existed in science fiction, and the attraction gives you a chance to feel what that could be like.

This part is exciting, but it is also where your group’s comfort level matters most. Because there is virtual reality and special effects, the experience is explicitly not suitable for people with epilepsy. If anyone in your party is sensitive to flashing lights or VR, it is worth deciding ahead of time whether they should participate.

For the rest of you, the best way to enjoy this section is to treat it as a highlight, not a chore. Plan to do VR and teleportation after you have already warmed up in the hands-on exhibits, so you are not exhausted when the fun peaks.

The magic workshop, guide tricks, and learning a trick the Ehrlich Brothers way

House of Magic includes guided magic elements, but in a way that stays playful. Guides have cool magic tricks with you, and they also offer a chance to learn a few tricks. One trick connected to their live show is explained on a screen in a 360° cinema format.

This matters because it turns “watching magic” into “doing magic.” When you learn even a small trick, you leave with a story and a new skill, not just photos.

There is also a free online workshop with the Ehrlich Brothers. The details are not spelled out in the information I have, but the key point for you is that there is extra magic content beyond the physical visit.

If you are traveling with kids who love crafts or performance, this is a reason to book. It gives you a natural “we learned something” moment to balance the brain-bending illusions.

Who should book, age rules, and who should skip this attraction

This is clearly family-oriented, but the rules are specific.

• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, meaning children need adult accompaniment.
• Children may only participate if accompanied by an adult.
• Not suitable for people with epilepsy.
• Children under 3 years cannot participate.

There are also practical restrictions inside:

• no alcohol or drugs
• no smoking
• no weapons or sharp objects
• no food and drinks
• no pets

If you are planning a trip with a mixed-age family, this attraction is built to handle it. The exhibits include quiet puzzle moments and more active challenges, so you can find something for different energy levels.

If you are traveling with a group that includes someone who is sensitive to special effects or VR, decide early. The site is fun, but skipping the VR and focusing on other rooms may make the experience better for everyone.

Price and value: is $29 for House of Magic Oberhausen worth it?

The price given is $29 per person, and the visit is valid for a two-hour slot of puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family. The big question is value, and here the math is tied to interaction.

You are getting:

• 110+ exhibits to try
• a magic workshop with hands-on effects
• a VR flight ride
• a teleportation experience
• guide magic tricks
• 360° cinema instruction tied to the Ehrlich Brothers

If your family usually ends up paying for attractions where you mostly stand in line and watch, this is different. The value comes from active time. Two hours is a good length too. You get a full magic circuit without feeling like you need to spend half a day.

A small note on expectations: like any attraction with lots of moving parts and repeating guests, you might see some props that are not brand new. That should not stop the fun, but it helps to go in with the mindset that you are here for the experience and interaction, not a perfect showroom condition.

Practical tips to make your magic day run smoother

These are the decisions that tend to make the biggest difference once you are inside.

1) Arrive a bit early

Your ticket is for a selected date and time. If you are late, they try to move you to a later slot if there are enough places, so arrive with buffer.

2) Build a simple family plan

Pick a rhythm: try a couple exhibits, then do photos, then hit VR and teleportation. When you let kids drag you for an hour, you risk running out of time for the highlights.

3) Keep it simple with rules

No food or drinks, no pets, no smoking. Plan to handle snacks and water before you enter or after you leave the venue area.

4) Make your camera work

There are lots of photo motifs, including giant vehicles and themed scenes. If you care about photos, designate one person for camera duty so everyone keeps moving.

Should you book House of Magic Oberhausen powered by the Ehrlich Brothers?

Book it if you want a family activity with real hands-on magic, not just a show. The strongest reason is the sheer number of interactive exhibits, plus the thrill options like virtual reality flight and teleportation.

You should also book if your group likes learning. The 360° cinema trick explanation and the included option to learn a trick turn the day into something you can talk about afterward.

Skip or rethink if someone in your party has epilepsy, if kids are under 3, or if you need an attraction with minimal rules. The experience is fun, but the no food and drink, and the requirement for adult accompaniment for kids, means it is best planned.

If your group matches those boundaries, this is a solid use of a couple hours in Oberhausen, right at Centro where it is easy to combine with other shopping and dining after.

FAQ

How long is the House of Magic Oberhausen experience?

Your ticket covers a time slot of about two hours for puzzles, games, and illusions for the whole family.

How many exhibits are inside?

You can discover and try out more than 110 magical exhibits.

What is included with my ticket?

Your ticket includes two hours in the exhibition, chances to learn cool magic tricks (with the Ehrlich Brothers explaining a trick in the 360° cinema), and a free online workshop with the Ehrlich Brothers.

Is there a magic workshop?

Yes. The experience includes a magic workshop area with mysterious objects and hands-on effects.

Does the attraction include virtual reality?

Yes. There is a virtual reality ride described as a daring flight to test flying skills.

Is teleportation part of the experience?

Yes. The attraction offers a live teleportation experience, described as feeling like you are teleported from one place to another.

Can kids visit without an adult?

No. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children may only participate if accompanied by an adult.

Are there age limits for children?

Children under 3 years are not suitable for this experience.

Is it suitable for people with epilepsy?

No. The attraction is not suitable for people with epilepsy.

Is food or drinks allowed inside?

No. Food and drinks are not allowed.