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Kids · shapes · about 1 minute

Color Blind Test for Kids: Shape Plates

A gentle test with shapes for young children, plus signs parents can watch for.

Short answer: Your child taps the shape they see in six dot pictures, so no numbers or reading are needed. The National Eye Institute says color vision deficiency can be tricky to diagnose in children and that kids may try to hide it. This short test can show signs, but only an eye doctor can diagnose it.

This is a screening tool, not a medical diagnosis. Results depend on your screen, brightness and lighting. See an eye doctor for a proper exam. Medical disclaimer

Shape test for children

Last updated: . Based on the sources listed below.

What signs can parents watch for?

The NHS says you may not notice any symptoms, but your child might:

  • use the wrong colors when drawing or painting, for example purple leaves on trees;
  • have difficulty with tasks that involve sorting colors;
  • lack interest in coloring tasks;
  • smell food before eating it.

The National Eye Institute says to have your child’s eyes tested if they have a family history of color vision deficiency or seem to have trouble learning colors. It can make it hard to read from a chalkboard or do other activities. You may also be able to get your child’s eyes tested at school.

How does the kids’ test work?

An adult sits with the child. The screen should be at full brightness with night mode off. The child taps the shape they see in the dots (circle, square, triangle or star), or “I see nothing”. There is one easy check picture, four red-green pictures and one blue-yellow picture. It is a very short screening and not a diagnosis. Every picture is drawn by our code and is new each time. Older children can try the number test.

What if my child misses some pictures?

A miss does not mean something is wrong. Children get tired or distracted. Try again on another day. If the result stays the same, or you see the signs above, ask an optometrist or eye doctor for a proper test. If a diagnosis is made, tell your child’s school, which may be able to adjust lessons and exams (NHS: Colour vision deficiency).

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my child is color blind?

The NHS lists signs such as using the wrong colors when drawing, trouble sorting colors, lack of interest in coloring, and smelling food before eating it. Children may hide it. The National Eye Institute advises a test if you are concerned or if it runs in the family.

Should I see an eye doctor if I fail an online test?

Yes, if you have concerns. The NHS says to go to an optician if you or your child have signs of color vision deficiency, and notes that color vision testing is not part of the routine NHS eye test, so you need to ask for it. A screen test is not a diagnosis.

Can color blindness be cured?

There is no cure for color vision deficiency that runs in families, but most people adjust to it, say the NHS and the National Eye Institute. If another health problem or a medicine causes it, treating the condition or changing the medicine may help.

Sources

  1. NHS. Colour vision deficiency (colour blindness). Page last reviewed March 17, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colour-vision-deficiency/
  2. National Eye Institute (NIH). Color Blindness. Last updated November 5, 2025. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/color-blindness

All sources were read on October 11, 2026. We only state what the sources say, and we do not invent numbers. These pages have not been reviewed by an eye care professional. Spot a mistake? Email info@colorblindcheck.app.

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