Kid says the bathroom window is ‘watching’—dad’s reveal has parents cracking up

When a little girl in Denmark refused to use the bathroom because “something” was staring through the window, her dad knew he had to check. On TikTok, user @allersilkeborg shared the video, at first glance, the frosted glass really did seem to reveal the outline of a dog peering inside.

But when Dad stepped outside, the “watcher” turned out to be nothing more than a wicker basket shaped like a pup—complete with eyes, a nose, and floppy ears—placed just right to fool his daughter’s imagination. Posted September 1, the video has racked up more than 5.8 million views—the clip had parents in stitches and plenty of kids nodding in solidarity.

@allersilkeborg #daughter #dog #sjov #viral #fyp ♬ original sound – allersilkeborg

Why kids see faces everywhere

According to a study published in PLoS One, children’s brains are wired to spot patterns—especially faces. It’s a survival mechanism that kicks in early, which means a frosted-glass blur or shadow can quickly transform into “someone” or “something.” What feels funny to adults can be genuinely unsettling to kids at that moment.

Related: This toddler is only allowed to swear in the bathroom—and you might just die laughing

Parents in the comments admitted they saw the “dog” too—and some were ready to back the little girl’s instincts

The video struck a chord with many parents, who could relate to the little girl’s curiosity and caution. They shared their own reactions and admiration for her instincts:

“I mean.. is she wrong? 😭.” – @bipolarswiftie

“I’m on her side😂.” – @vscoul

“not me fully expecting a dog 😭” – @taweret86

“I mean she was right, right?” – taweret86

“Ngl, I would’ve bet money on there being a golden looking in at that window.” – @beardelk

After the reveal: how to help your child feel safe again

Solving the mystery is only half the job. Even after seeing the real object, a child’s body can stay on high alert. The goal now is to restore a sense of safety and control, keeping things calm, brief, and collaborative.

What to say in the moment

• Name what happened: “That looked like a face and it felt scary.”
• Stay together: “I’m here. Let’s look at it with me.”
• Show and touch: Turn on the light, point to the actual object, and let them hold or tap it. “This is the basket we saw.”
• Close the loop: “If something looks strange again, call me and we will check it together.”

Quick reset for the space

• Move the face-like item out of the window’s line of sight.
• Add a simple curtain or privacy film if shapes are still visible.
• Do one familiar calming step before leaving the room, like a sip of water or a quick song, so the last memory is a safe one.

Even small, thoughtful actions like these can turn a spooky moment into a gentle teaching opportunity, helping children feel confident and secure while nurturing curiosity.

Related: Dad criticized—and praised—after using women’s bathroom to change his son’s diaper

Source:

1. PLoS. 2015. “Pareidolia in infants.”