Play tricks

The neighbour's children keep playing tricks on each other.

"[…] On the 18th of October, 1841, a very intense magnetic disturbance was recorded, and amongst other curious facts mentioned is that of the detention of the 10:05pm express train at Exeter for 16 minutes, as from the magnetic disturbance affecting the needles so powerfully, it was impossible to ascertain if the line was clear at Starcross. The superintendent at Exeter reported the next morning that someone was playing tricks with the instruments, and would not let them work."

Is that man naked, or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Sometimes I give myself the creeps / Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me