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
- Add a few drops of water and lemon juice into a cup.
- Give each child a cotton swab and a piece of paper.
- Ask them to dip their swab into the cup and write a word on paper (using the swab as a pencil)
- Let it dry until invisible.
- 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