Kids' magic show in Geomdan, Incheon: dad on stage at JT's Science Lab

My first kid started learning magic in an after-school class. After days of watching him wave a single card around going "Ta-da!" at home, I finally got the line: "Dad, can we go see a real magician?"

So the three of us went — me and my two kids. It was Magician JT's Science Lab, held at Geomdan Welfare Center.

Cutting to the point: this was the first time my older kid leaned forward in his seat for an entire show. After every trick, the magician explained the science behind it, and my kid kept asking, "Why does that happen?"

Parking at Geomdan Welfare Center: how early should you arrive?

Geomdan Welfare Center doesn't have a lot of parking, so arriving 20 minutes before showtime is basically the bare minimum. We got there around 1:40 PM.

Even then, the lot was already full. If we'd been 10 minutes later, we'd have been circling the block.

Tip — If you've got two kids plus a stroller or bags, 20 minutes is cutting it close. Factor in walking to the auditorium and finding seats on top of that.

Waiting after entry: the snack quiz makes 30 minutes fly by

The first great thing about this science magic show was that even though we arrived early, the kids never got bored. Normally kids start squirming five minutes after sitting down, right?

But before the show even started, they had a snack quiz and a follow-the-move game going. My younger kid was shouting with her hand up, and my older kid was cracking himself up copying the moves.

Tip — The earlier you arrive, the longer you get to enjoy this pre-show warm-up. In other words, arriving early isn't boring — it actually pays off more.

The main show is magic, but it doubles as a science class

The core of Magician JT's Science Lab is the sequence: magic trick, then science explanation. It's not just "wow, cool, moving on" — after each segment, they break down why it looked the way it did, in terms kids can follow.

Of course, some tricks were just plain mind-boggling with no explanation offered, and we got to gawk at those too! My older kid kept asking questions the whole time. Since it connected to what he'd learned in his after-school class, he seemed even more locked in.

The finale involved a calculator trick that got the entire audience participating, and it was genuinely astonishing! The levitation and the body-splitting tricks were impressive too, but this one felt grounded in reality while still being shocking.

Tip — This isn't just a "magic show," it's "science class plus magic." If your kid is in early elementary school, talk through the principles again afterward — it leads to some long conversations.

The magic ticket draw: dad's hand went up first

Midway through the show, there's a segment where kids who receive a magic ticket get an extra magic prop. You can also get a basic magic prop just by adding the show as a friend on KakaoTalk!

My younger kid cheered when she got one, but my older kid ended up without one. I could see his expression go stiff right next to me. 😅

But then they were looking for "a dad who can help with a trick." I shot my hand up first and got called up onstage. The kids were too young to catch it on camera, unfortunately.

That got us an extra prop, bringing our total to two — enough for both my kids to walk out with one in each hand.

And in the finale calculator trick, my older kid raised his hand hard enough to get picked as a helper too, so the show wrapped up on a happy note after all!

Tip — With more than one kid, brace yourself for the chance that only one gets picked. But since there are participation segments throughout, sitting up front and raising hands enthusiastically is your real insurance policy.

Photos with Magician JT, then Geomdan Library next door

After the show ends, there's a separate window for taking photos directly with the magician.

They close things out with a farewell and a laser show, and you can watch and take photos outside afterward too — it was such a nice touch!

For the kids, this ended up being the real closing highlight — taking a photo up close with the person they'd just watched onstage.

And right next door is Geomdan Library. It's perfect for reading a few books while the show is still fresh in their minds. On our way out, we stopped in and looked for some magic-related books.

Tip — A line forms for photos, so get up and move right away to land a spot near the front. Pairing the show with the library makes a half-day itinerary come together naturally.

Where do you book the Geomdan science magic show?

Unfortunately, the last show is on August 23! If you want to book the final performance, there are only a few days left, so you'll want to book right away. You can easily reserve through Naver.

3 drawbacks worth knowing before you go

Overall satisfaction was high, but there are definitely a few things worth knowing in advance.

• Parking is tight — arriving 20 minutes early is closer to the bare minimum than a comfortable cushion.
• Not everyone gets a magic ticket — if siblings come together and only one gets picked, expressions can shift on the spot. We got lucky covering it with parent participation, but that won't always work out.
• The wait isn't short — the pre-show games make it bearable, but for very young kids, bringing a snack or water is a good idea.

Who Magician JT's Science Lab suits best

This was the first show my older kid ever watched with this much enthusiasm.

• Families whose kids are starting to show interest in magic or science
• Parents looking for an indoor outing with preschool to elementary-age kids
• Anyone who wants to build a half-day itinerary by pairing the show with the library rather than just seeing the show alone

On the flip side, if you're bringing a toddler alone (age 3 or under), the explanation segments might feel long.

Frequently asked questions

What age is the Geomdan Welfare Center science magic show for?

Preschool through elementary school age fits best. My elementary first grader and preschool second child watched together, and both stayed focused to the end.

Is there parking at Geomdan Welfare Center?

Yes, parking is available, but spots aren't plentiful. We arrived 20 minutes before showtime and the lot was already more than half full.

How do you book tickets for the science magic show?

You can book in advance through Naver Reservation. The last Geomdan show is scheduled for August 23.

Can you take photos after the show?

Yes, there's a dedicated time for photos with the magician after the show ends. It was the kids' favorite moment.