Illusions for kids

Optical Illusions

What is an Optical Illusion?

Optical Illusions can use color, light and patterns to create images that can be deceptive or misleading to our brains. The information gathered by the eye is processed by the brain, creating a perception that in reality, does not match the true image. Perception refers to the interpretation of what we take in through our eyes. Optical illusions occur because our brain is trying to interpret what we see and make sense of the world around us. Optical illusions simply trick our brains into seeing things which may or may not be real.

Try out some of these illusions and discover just how tricky it can be for your brain to accurately interpret the images from your eyes. Click on any of the images below to begin your exploration of optical illusions.

Moiré

Are the pinwheels moving?

Light Bulb

Stare closely at this light bulb for 25 seconds. Then immediately stare at a white wall or sheet of paper. What do you see?

Elephant Legs

How many legs do I have?

Teach

In this illusion you can see the word Teach and its reflection. Can you read the reflection too? What does it say?

The Animal

How many animals do you see in the image?

The Box and the Sphere

Keep your eyes on the dot. Is it in the front or in the back of the cube?

Color Blind

What number do you see in the circle?

Color Illusion

How many colors are present in the image?

Gradients

Which side of inset bar is darker?

Hermann Grid Illusion

Count all the black dots you can see

Horizontal Lines

Are the horizontal lines sloping or straight?

Kanizsa Triangle

How many triangles are present in the image?

Muller-Lyer Illusion

Take a very close look at the 2 vertical lines. Do you think one line is longer than the other?

My Wife and My Mother-in-Law

How many figures can you see in the image below?

Snakes

Are the circles moving in the image?

Zollner Illusion

Do you think these lines are parallel?

Refraction Illusion

Are both arrows pointing the same direction on the paper behind the glass?