Thaumatropes
The most well known optical learning games involve optical illusions. Optical illusions allow kids to seehow multiple images, patterns and movement can combine to give static images the appearance of movement or give small images the appearance of being large (and vice versa). One of the mostsimple optical illusions is the thaumatrope, with origins in the Victorian age. According to the article"Thaumatrope Optical Illusions" by Michael W. Davidson and the Florida State University on theMolecular Expressions website, all you need to make a thaumatrope is a paper disk, some string, a penor markers, and a hole punch. One one side of the disk, draw an image of a bird with its wings raised inflight, and on the other side draw an image of the bird with its wings down in flight. Punch a hole at theedges of the disk on either side of the bird. Tie the pieces of string around the disk through the holes,and twist the string. Pull each end of the string out to the sides tightly, and watch as the disk rotatesand gives the appearance of a flying bird.

Colors
Color wheels are another type of optical illusion that can be used to teach kids about shapes, colorsand movement. Color wheels are discs or any other flat circular surface that can be spun. On thesurface of the disk, paint or draw lines of color. Once the wheels spin, watch as various shapes appear.

Rainbows
Looking at rainbows is an optics learning game that can be played on a clear sunny day. By usingprisms, you can create a spectrum of color that includes a wide variety of colors. Rainbows are createdwhen sunlight passes through miniature prisms of raindrops. You can use a water hose on a low mistsetting to create a rainbow. Looking at a rainbow can help kids understand the ways that light and color appears to human eyes.