Quick answer

Create optical illusions with spinning tops by designing patterns on KiwiCo's Optical Illusion Tops and observing how colors blend and shapes transform when the tops spin.

Why spinning tops create optical illusions

When a top spins rapidly, your brain struggles to process the changing visual information. Patterns blur, colors mix, and afterimages appear, creating the illusion of movement or new colors. This is called persistence of vision, the same principle behind animation and movies.

What you'll need

You'll need the KiwiCo Optical Illusion Tops kit, which includes pre-printed tops and blank ones for your own designs. Markers or colored pencils work best for custom patterns. A flat, smooth surface like a table or floor is ideal for spinning.

Step-by-step guide to creating optical illusions with spinning tops

  1. Step 1: Assemble your top: Push the top's stem through the center of the disc until it snaps into place. Make sure the disc spins freely without wobbling. Check that the disc is centered; an off-center disc will wobble and ruin the illusion.
  2. Step 2: Choose a pre-printed pattern or design your own: Start with the included pre-printed tops to see classic optical effects like spirals or color wheels. Then, use markers to draw your own patterns on the blank tops. Simple repeating patterns (stripes, dots, concentric circles) work best. Avoid tiny details that blur into nothing.
  3. Step 3: Spin the top and observe: Place the top on a flat surface and give it a firm, quick twist. Watch how the pattern changes as the top speeds up and slows down. Spin on a hard, smooth surface for the longest spin time. Carpet will slow it down quickly.
  4. Step 4: Experiment with color mixing: Color half the top red and half blue. When it spins, the colors blend into a purple-ish hue. Try other combinations like yellow and blue (green) or red and green (yellow). The blended color depends on the brightness and proportion of the original colors. Adjust the ratio to fine-tune the result.
  5. Step 5: Try the 'wagon wheel' illusion: Draw a series of spokes from the center to the edge. As the top spins, the spokes may appear to rotate backward or stand still. This is the stroboscopic effect in action. The illusion works best with an even number of spokes (6 or 8). Odd numbers create a flickering effect instead.

Product spotlight

  • Optical Illusion Tops: Explore twirling tops that trick your brain and learn about the science of illusions. Watch as patterns transform and colors blend. This kit provides both pre-printed and blank tops, so kids can start experimenting immediately and then create their own designs.

    Optical Illusion Tops

    Optical Illusion Tops