The human body6–8 · 9+
Why Can’t You Tickle Yourself?
You can't tickle yourself… and your brain is the reason!
Why?
At the back of your brain is a part called the cerebellum, which keeps track of how you move. When you try to tickle yourself, it already knows exactly where and when your fingers will touch you, so it tells the rest of your brain: “No surprise here!”
Tickling works best when it’s a surprise. When someone else tickles you, your brain can’t guess what will happen next, so you feel it much more and start to giggle!
Try it
Gently stroke the palm of your hand with a feather 🪶 and notice how it feels. Now close your eyes and ask someone in your family to do the same, only if you're happy with it! Which one felt more tickly?
Ask Mum & Dad
Why do you think surprises make us laugh?