Usually kids aren't familiar with the full scope of language (metaphors, allusions, and so-on), meaning when an adult tells one to "keep an eye on the ball", he might as well try to put his eye on the ball.

To illustrate that, Bored Panda has collected some of the most hilarious images of kids taking instructions too literally. From training dogs by showing them YouTube videos, to dressing up for a literary adventure, these little fellows were just trying their best to follow instructions.

Have you witnessed something similar yourself? Upload your pics below and don't forget to vote for your favorites!

#1

"Keep Your Eye On The Ball Son"

"Keep Your Eye On The Ball Son"

spiritualbeingonahumanjourney Report

#2

2nd Graders Homework. My Friend's Awesome 6 Year Old Son Is Autistic And Takes Instructions Literally

2nd Graders Homework. My Friend's Awesome 6 Year Old Son Is Autistic And Takes Instructions Literally

snowbird311 Report

#3

This Isn't Exactly What We Meant When We Told Him That He Could Look Up Puppy Training Tips On Youtube

This Isn't Exactly What We Meant When We Told Him That He Could Look Up Puppy Training Tips On Youtube

Daball80 Report

#4

We Told Our 3yr Old That New Years Is Special Because You Get To Toast To A New Year. A Few Hours Later She Said "Are We Gonna Make Toast Now?!" And Thus A New Years Day Tradition Was Born

We Told Our 3yr Old That New Years Is Special Because You Get To Toast To A New Year. A Few Hours Later She Said "Are We Gonna Make Toast Now?!" And Thus A New Years Day Tradition Was Born

littlasskicker Report

Rana
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

look at her smile ... so cute ...she stretched every single muscle of her face

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#5

My Kid Said I Gave Her Too Many Grapes. I Said Just Eat Half Of Them

My Kid Said I Gave Her Too Many Grapes. I Said Just Eat Half Of Them

jozdaz Report

#6

Toddler Was Asked To Feed The Cat

Toddler Was Asked To Feed The Cat

reddit.com Report

#7

Bring A Fish To School Day

Bring A Fish To School Day

Report

Mike Olson
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How did the child take this "too literally"? Unless the instructions were to bring a living fish in, this seems like instructions were followed?

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#8

Future Lawyer? Was Told He Couldn't Go Outside

Future Lawyer? Was Told He Couldn't Go Outside

rerational Report

Baenjolras
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume it was put up like 'Don't place a foot outside' or something similar

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#9

Not Exactly What I Had In Mind When I Told My Son It Was Too Nice Out To Play Games Inside

Not Exactly What I Had In Mind When I Told My Son It Was Too Nice Out To Play Games Inside

reviewstl Report

#10

Took My Son To A Modern Art Museum And Told Him That He Needs To Really Think About The Art And What They Are Trying To Say. I Am Not Sure, But I Think I Have A Smartass On My Hands

Took My Son To A Modern Art Museum And Told Him That He Needs To Really Think About The Art And What They Are Trying To Say. I Am Not Sure, But I Think I Have A Smartass On My Hands

Piccrazy Report

#11

This Is Why My Kid Is Going Places

This Is Why My Kid Is Going Places

irishchck14 Report

#12

Directions Were To 'Draw Hands On The Clocks'

Directions Were To 'Draw Hands On The Clocks'

Rcrowley32 Report

Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HILARIOUS... kids do the darnedest things. Still laughing!

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#13

I Was Fixing A Computer, And My 4 Year Old Son Asked Why, So I Said It Was To Make It Work Faster. A While Later, My Son Said He Had Already Solved The Problem. Then I Come Across This

I Was Fixing A Computer, And My 4 Year Old Son Asked Why, So I Said It Was To Make It Work Faster. A While Later, My Son Said He Had Already Solved The Problem. Then I Come Across This

lKauany Report

Emre
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

smartass! wooow it's nice to see a kid know sonic these days

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#14

My Friend's Daughter Taking The Instructions Literally

My Friend's Daughter Taking The Instructions Literally

jaredhag23 Report

#15

My Dad Told My Son To Get Ready For A Bedtime Story Adventure, So He Grabbed His Warm Hat And A Flashlight

My Dad Told My Son To Get Ready For A Bedtime Story Adventure, So He Grabbed His Warm Hat And A Flashlight

imbignate Report

Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's ready for an adventure. If Doctor Who showed up, he wouldn't get left behind.

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#16

I Asked My Son To Use Chopsticks At A Japanese Restaurant. This Is How He Used Them For The Soup

I Asked My Son To Use Chopsticks At A Japanese Restaurant. This Is How He Used Them For The Soup

justintcrow Report

#17

My Wife Asked My Son To Put A Jar Of Water In Our Dog's Bowl. Saw This A Few Hours Later. Mission Accomplished

My Wife Asked My Son To Put A Jar Of Water In Our Dog's Bowl. Saw This A Few Hours Later. Mission Accomplished

jamesmlarson Report

Sarah K
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Crates actually simulate caves or dens which is where a wild dog would go for safety, so a lot of dogs like them as their "safe place"

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#18

My Son, The Realist, Brought This Home With Some Of His Kindergarten Schoolwork

My Son, The Realist, Brought This Home With Some Of His Kindergarten Schoolwork

rocknrollsteve Report

#19

I Told My First Grade Class They Were Writing Their Letters To Santa... I Should Have Been More Specific

I Told My First Grade Class They Were Writing Their Letters To Santa... I Should Have Been More Specific

dalekmania Report

#20

I Told My 5-Year-Old He Could Watch TV As Soon As He Ate Half Of His Hot Dog

I Told My 5-Year-Old He Could Watch TV As Soon As He Ate Half Of His Hot Dog

anotherkeebler Report

#21

I Told My 2 Year Old To Put Her Shoes By The Front Door. She Takes Me Very Literally Sometimes

I Told My 2 Year Old To Put Her Shoes By The Front Door. She Takes Me Very Literally Sometimes

eimmaj Report

#22

One Of Them Finally Cracked The Code

One Of Them Finally Cracked The Code

Blahson Report

#23

I Told My Daughter She Couldn't Take Clothes Off The Hangers And Try Them On So I Got This

I Told My Daughter She Couldn't Take Clothes Off The Hangers And Try Them On So I Got This

Amdh Report

#24

I Asked The Kids Not To Eat All Of The Strawberries... Hey, At Least They Listen!

I Asked The Kids Not To Eat All Of The Strawberries... Hey, At Least They Listen!

KCroasmun Report

#25

When Your Sister Uses Deodorant For The First Time And Gets The Ruler Out Cos "It's To Be 15cm Away"

When Your Sister Uses Deodorant For The First Time And Gets The Ruler Out Cos "It's To Be 15cm Away"

mariajavidd Report

Amanda Cariker
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My exhusband would do things like this, i could never cook with him. I eyeball things too much

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#26

Technically Correct, The Best Kind Of Correct (5-Year Old Style)

Technically Correct, The Best Kind Of Correct (5-Year Old Style)

hurrikenux Report

Pi...
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The question though... *giggle*

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#27

I Mean, I'm Not Going To Be Mad. That Is Where I Told My Son Pooh Goes

I Mean, I'm Not Going To Be Mad. That Is Where I Told My Son Pooh Goes

hcmg Report

#28

Told Our Kid To Go Put The Pizza Costume Back Where It Belongs.... Well He Wasn't Wrong

Told Our Kid To Go Put The Pizza Costume Back Where It Belongs.... Well He Wasn't Wrong

dietpoop Report

Hans
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pizza costume? Awesome! Particularly suited for cheesy people, I suppose.

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#29

I Told My Son That I Don't Want To See The Cooler In This Room Again. I'm Not Even Mad

I Told My Son That I Don't Want To See The Cooler In This Room Again. I'm Not Even Mad

boldfacebread1 Report

#31

On My Birthday, 10-Year-Old Sister Asked Me What Kind Of Stuff I Liked. I Told Her Mustaches, Guitars And Sloths. She Went Into Her Room And Came Back An Hour Later With This

On My Birthday, 10-Year-Old Sister Asked Me What Kind Of Stuff I Liked. I Told Her Mustaches, Guitars And Sloths. She Went Into Her Room And Came Back An Hour Later With This

jedrawings Report

#32

I Asked My Three Year Old Daughter To Put Her Toys Away. This Is Where She Put Her Guitar...

I Asked My Three Year Old Daughter To Put Her Toys Away. This Is Where She Put Her Guitar...

Jesus_Died_LOL_84 Report

Jessica Jane
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, she has a point! If Mommy/Daddy don't have to put their guitar in its case, why should she? ;)

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#33

Told The 2Yo I Had To Finish Some Mixes Tonight - She Left This On My Desk For Me

Told The 2Yo I Had To Finish Some Mixes Tonight - She Left This On My Desk For Me

jeffreyacain Report

#34

I Told My 5 Year Old Son That, If He Could Blow It Up, He Could Jump It

I Told My 5 Year Old Son That, If He Could Blow It Up, He Could Jump It

Stijnzie Report

#35

My Friend Told His Kid To Put His Clothes Away And Came Back To Find This Instead

My Friend Told His Kid To Put His Clothes Away And Came Back To Find This Instead

AnotherSmegHead Report

#36

My Sister-In-Law Asked The 4Yo To Put The Cookies On The Dining Room Table

My Sister-In-Law Asked The 4Yo To Put The Cookies On The Dining Room Table

philcrissman Report

#37

In His Defense, I Did Say To Put These In The Bathroom. There Is Nothing Like Having A Literal 2nd Grader Living In Your House

In His Defense, I Did Say To Put These In The Bathroom. There Is Nothing Like Having A Literal 2nd Grader Living In Your House

arbucklefatty Report

Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nah, that's sass. In second grade you know what's being asked

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#38

Told The Kids Repeatedly Not To Wear Their Socks In The Garden And Finally They Are Listening To Me... These Are My Socks

Told The Kids Repeatedly Not To Wear Their Socks In The Garden And Finally They Are Listening To Me... These Are My Socks

2FBS Report

#39

My 8-Year-Old Son Takes His Homework Directions Literally

My 8-Year-Old Son Takes His Homework Directions Literally

EddieLomax Report

#40

Can't Deny That

Can't Deny That

reddit.com Report

#41

This Smart Kid

This Smart Kid

Report

#42

Directions Said 3 Inches Apart. That's Precisely How Far Apart They Will Be

Directions Said 3 Inches Apart. That's Precisely How Far Apart They Will Be

cnslater23 Report

Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, she's learning. It's good to bake with precision.

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#43

I Asked My 6 Year Old To Put The Extra Roll Of Toilet Paper Under The Sink

I Asked My 6 Year Old To Put The Extra Roll Of Toilet Paper Under The Sink

CleverTitleTK Report

#44

So I Told My 8 Year Old To Only Eat Half Of The Banana. This Was Her Interpretation

So I Told My 8 Year Old To Only Eat Half Of The Banana. This Was Her Interpretation

MonicaRPoland Report

DarknessIsMyOutfit
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She knows what you meant. She's an adorable little smarty pants

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#45

Maybe I Shouldn't Have Told My Daughter You Can Make "Art" Out Of Anything

Maybe I Shouldn't Have Told My Daughter You Can Make "Art" Out Of Anything

Rekdon Report

#46

Asked My 11 Yr Old To Spread Out The Silverware After Cleaning

Asked My 11 Yr Old To Spread Out The Silverware After Cleaning

RicNic Report

Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... okay...what was he/she suppose to do... this seems right to me

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#47

My Sister Taught Math To 4th Graders In China. Honest Mistake

My Sister Taught Math To 4th Graders In China. Honest Mistake

tinatinatinatina Report

Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess, but you have to teach them what the symbols mean before asking them to complete this. So either the kids wasn't listening or they weren't taught how to do the assignment.

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#48

New Post Sign In Sign Up Next Post My Daughter Takes Things Literally

New Post Sign In Sign Up Next Post My Daughter Takes Things Literally

kazzaunit Report

Pi...
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The title took it seriously too!

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#49

I Asked The Kids To Organize The Shoes. They Did What I Said

I Asked The Kids To Organize The Shoes. They Did What I Said

wendy_gareau Report

#50

My Little Sister Was Making Bookmarks And Asked If I Wanted One. I Asked Her To Make Me One That Looked Like A Companion Cube. She Did Me One Better And Made It An Actual Cube

My Little Sister Was Making Bookmarks And Asked If I Wanted One. I Asked Her To Make Me One That Looked Like A Companion Cube. She Did Me One Better And Made It An Actual Cube

rawrbearrawr Report

#51

I Asked My Son To Make Me Mozzarella Sticks And This Is What He Gave Me

I Asked My Son To Make Me Mozzarella Sticks And This Is What He Gave Me

eleventhkid Report

#52

I Said Out Loud That I Was Going To Get A Bag Of Chips. My 5-Year-Old Son Excitedly Jumped Up, Told Me He Was On The Case, And Ran Fast To The Kitchen. He Was Super Proud Of Himself When He Returned And Handed Me This

I Said Out Loud That I Was Going To Get A Bag Of Chips. My 5-Year-Old Son Excitedly Jumped Up, Told Me He Was On The Case, And Ran Fast To The Kitchen. He Was Super Proud Of Himself When He Returned And Handed Me This

MTKSharedInk Report

#53

My Little Brother Was Told To Eat Half Of His Nuggets And This Is What He Did

My Little Brother Was Told To Eat Half Of His Nuggets And This Is What He Did

SeniorHedgehog Report

Mrs.Blecksmith
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is with this "half of" thing? It's starting to be creepy 😂

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See Also on Bored Panda
#54

While I Appreciate My Daughter's Attempt, This Is Not What I Meant When I Asked For Her Help With Cleaning The House

While I Appreciate My Daughter's Attempt, This Is Not What I Meant When I Asked For Her Help With Cleaning The House

zakford Report

DarknessIsMyOutfit
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The walls are part of the house. They get dirty too.

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#55

I Told My Son Not To Throw Food On The Floor. This Is His Response

I Told My Son Not To Throw Food On The Floor. This Is His Response

blufrogz Report

#56

My Daughter Asked Her Brother If He Wanted A Brownie. This Is What She And Her Friends Brought Him

My Daughter Asked Her Brother If He Wanted A Brownie. This Is What She And Her Friends Brought Him

DavosWritesInShortHand Report