Trick us with an optical illusion photo

What can I use if I don't have a plain sheet, book, or lamp listed in the materials?

Use a large plain poster board or a plain wall instead of the sheet or blanket, stack magazines or a shoebox instead of the book/box for the raised platform, and use your phone's flashlight in place of the lamp.

My toy keeps tipping over or the illusion doesn't line up—what should I try?

If the toy won't sit steady, tack its base with a bit of tape or modeling clay on the book/box, then move the camera closer or farther and adjust the taped paper shape and lamp position until the toy lines up and the shadows help the trick.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For preschoolers have an adult set up the book/box and props and let them place the toy and take one photo, for elementary kids let them cut or fold the paper shape and try 3–6 angles, and for older kids encourage advanced angle experiments and photo edits like cropping and brightening.

How can we make the illusion more creative or shareable?

Personalize the scene by creating themed paper cutouts, add colored light with a lamp or filtered flashlight, take multiple staged photos for a mini stop-motion, then crop/brighten your best shot and upload it to DIY.org with a fun caption.