Dreams

Dreams happen when you are sleeping. They can be silly, happy, scary, or weird. Sometimes you remember your dreams in the morning, and sometimes you do not. Everyone dreams, even animals. Scientists still do not know exactly why we dream.

When We Dream

Most dreams happen during a sleep stage called REM. REM stands for rapid eye movement. Your eyes move fast under your eyelids during this time. Your brain is very busy during REM sleep. That is when your best dreams usually happen.

An old colorful drawing of a man dreaming in his bed.
An old colorful drawing of a man dreaming in his bed. (Print made by: Robert Seymour (?) Published by: Thomas McLean Printed by: Joseph Netherclift / Wikimedia Commons)

Kinds of Dreams

Some dreams are about things from your day. You might dream about school or your pet. Bad dreams are called nightmares, and they can be scary. Good dreams can make you wake up happy. You might have three or four dreams every single night.

Fun Facts

  • You can have up to six dreams in one night.
  • People forget most of their dreams within a few minutes of waking up.
  • Babies dream even before they are born.

Did You Know?

Some people have lucid dreams, which are dreams where they know they are dreaming and can even control what happens.