Invisible Ink

Thinking & Engaging
Thinking & Engaging
STEM
STEM
Literacy
Literacy

Encourage children to write a word or letter then watch it disappear and reappear before their very eyes. 

Materials

  • Cup
  • Lemon juice
  • Water
  • Paper
  • Lamp
  • Cotton swabs

Framing

A fun way to practice writing skills.

Instructions

  1. Add a few drops of water and lemon juice into a cup.
  2. Give each child a cotton swab and a piece of paper.
  3. Ask them to dip their swab into the cup and write a word on paper (using the swab as a pencil)
  4. Let it dry until invisible.
  5. To uncover the word, hold the paper up to a lamp (the heat from the light will allow you to see the hidden word).  

Modify

  • Depending on your group’s age and literacy level, children can simply write a letter, their name or a secret message.

Safety

  • There are no foreseeable safety concerns for this activity.

Wrap-up

Have participants exchange their invisible inks writings with one another to hold up to the light and read.



Obtained from: Kids Make Stuff (n.d.)The KidsMakeStuff Cipher Dis. Retrieved from http://www.kidsmakestuff.com/articles/show/18hm