Thinking traps: “everyone does it” and more — Critical thinking for kids

Thinking tip

Spot the trap — “popular is not proof, one is not all, luck is not a cause”

1. Everyone does it: “The video has a million likes, so it must be right.” One means all: “One cat scratched me, so all cats are mean.”
2. Lucky charm: “I used this pen and got full marks, so it is a magic pen.” Attacking the person: “Her plan is silly because she is the youngest.”
3. Fair reasons come from tests, measurements and checked facts.

Use it for: Peer pressure, online likes, superstitions, arguments and judging groups of people.

Worked example: 🪤 Which thinking trap is this? “One cat scratched me, so all cats are mean.” → one means all

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 17 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🪤 Trap Dodger badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 6 lessons of Part 3 · Reason it out. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Thinking Traps Worksheet for Kids

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)