1. Read each slide for directions
Optical Illusions
Read each slide for directions

2. Stare at the image for 20 seconds then look at a white wall
Stare for 20 seconds then look at white wall
Stare at the image for 20 seconds then look at a white wall

3. Stare at the four black dots in the center of the image for seconds. Then quickly close your eyes and look at something bright (like a lamp or a window with sunlight coming through it). You should see a white circle with an image inside it.
Stare at the four black dots in the center of the image for seconds. Then quickly close your eyes and look at something bright. You should see a white circle with an image inside it.

4. Even though the letters are jumbled in the following paragraph, most people have no trouble reading it!
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

6. This is a fun optical illusion picture to look at because it constantly plays with your mind. If you notice, you'll see that the person on the left is trying to fix the wall which has crumbled with time. They also seem to be painting the columns on the right.
This is a fun optical illusion picture to look at because it constantly plays with your mind. What I like best about this picture is the artist didn't simply paint a picture of an optical illusion, but it is quite an interesting picture in and of itself! If you notice, you'll see that the person on the left is trying to fix the wall which has crumbled with time. They also seem to be painting the columns on the right. This is one of the best optical illusion art examples.

7. M.C. Escher drawing “Relativity.”

8. M.C. Escher “Drawing Hands.”

9. The horizontal red stripes look bowed in the middle
The horizontal red stripes look bowed in the middle. This optical illusion brain teaser demonstrates that the black lines drawn in one-point perspective distort the red lines. You can also see that in this optical illusion, the thinner red line seems to be even more bowed than the thicker red line.
The horizontal red stripes look bowed in the middle. This optical illusion brain teaser demonstrates that the black lines drawn in one-point perspective distort the red lines. You can also see that in this optical illusion, the thinner red line seems to be even more bowed than the thicker red line.

10. Which line is actually a line? Look at the optical illusion image above. First, imagine that C connects with point A. It seems like it could work. Then see if C connects with B.... it appears that that is a possibility too. To see the real answer, you'll just have to hold a straight edge up to the screen.
Which line is actually a line? Look at the optical illusion image above. First, imagine that C connects with point A. It seems like it could work. Then see if C connects with B.... it appears that that is a possibility too. To see the real answer, you'll just have to hold a straight edge up to the screen and use a magic marker to connect the dots. Don't worry, white out will take care of the black mark on your screen.

11. Does the line on the left appear to be shorter than the one on the right?

12. Here is an artists drawing of the young woman/old woman optical illusion. The old woman's eye is the young woman's ear. The old woman's wart is the young woman's nose, and the old woman’s nose is the young woman's chin. Easy enough right? This optical illusion goes down in the history books for being one of the most recognized optical illusions, and should be included in any reports about the history of optical illusions!
Here is another artists drawing of the young woman/old woman optical illusion. This one has a little more detail, but it's something you could try to imitate yourself if you just remember the basics: The old woman's eye is the young woman's ear. The old woman's wart is the young woman's nose, and the old womans nose is the young woman's chin. Easy enough right? This optical illusion goes down in the history books for being one of the most recognized optical illusions, and should be included in any reports about the history of optical illusions!

13. Another version of the “Young Woman/Old Woman Illusion…

14. Try to count the black dots

15. The lines look crooked, but they are all straight. Doubt it
The lines look crooked, but they are all straight. Doubt it? Check with a piece of paper.
The lines look crooked, but they are all straight.

16. Another version…Are the lines straight or curved?

17. As your eyes relax and move around the different places on this magical spiral, you'll see that it twists and turns in front of you. In addition, it appears to flash very quickly.
As your eyes relax and move around the different places on this magical spiral, you'll see that it twists and turns in front of you. In addition, it appears to flash very quickly (other optical illusion web sites call this scintilating). Doesn't it appear as if you are about to go into a hypnotic trance as you look into the eye that knows all? Another one of our favorite spiral optical illusions.

18. This optical illusion is called “Spinning Watermelons
This optical illusion is called “Spinning Watermelons.” Can you see why?

19. This image is called “Spinning Snakes.”

20. “Footballs”

21. This one is called “Purple Nurple.”