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Eye-Illusions Games

Illusion is the stuff of magic, but while sleight of hand and misdirection are common tools of the magician, optical illusions deceive the eye into seeing something different. Some images can be drawn so that at first glance one image is seen, and upon closer inspection another appears.

Dots Before Your Eyes
- This illusion can be created by students easily enough and used to delight themselves and their parents. Cut out 25 one-inch squares of black paper and glue them onto a piece of white paper about one-eighth of an inch apart so that there will be five rows of five squares. When the image is complete, viewers will see black dots where the white lines cross. This can also be done using white squares on black paper, in which case the "dots" will be white.
Irregular Lines
- On a white piece of paper draw 10 lines straight across the length of the page making sure that they are one inch apart. Color in every other pair of lines with black marker so that you create an image of five black and five white stripes. Rotate the paper and draw 10 lines one inch apart across the width of the paper. Cut along these lines creating strips of paper with alternating black and white squares. Glue these strips of paper onto a piece of white paper, taking care to keep them parallel with edges touching but keeping the squares from being directly under each other. The result will be an image of uneven lines and squares.
Stereoscopic
- Stereoscopic vision is what makes depth perception possible. Crossing your eyes while looking at two identical images caused the brain to see a combined image. Place two identical images on a wall about a half inch apart. Keep your eyes level with the pictures. Place your fingertip between the pictures near the top and stare at your fingertip while you bring your finger toward your eyes. When your fingertip is about seven inches from your eyes, the pictures will combine into one picture. This won't last more than a split second.
Merging Fingers
- This illusion is fun and requires no supplies. Hold your index fingers, tips touching, about six to 10 inches from your face and level with your eyes. Stare at your fingertips until it appears as though your fingertips are no longer touching, and in between them is a pair of your fingertips merged like a short worm. This image will persist as long as you can keep staring.

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