Secret Messages for Kids

Creating secret messages is tons of fun. This collection shows different ways to make secret messages for kids. Ciphers, art supplies, and glyphs are just some of the ways that work.

Secret Code Messages with Ciphers

3 Number Ciphers

Toy Substitution Cipher

Create your own substitution cipher. (We did this one at my son’s second grade classroom robot party.)

Make a secret code message card for Valentine’s Day.

Use a pigpen cipher in a sight word pirate treasure hunt.

Create your own wooden runes and use them for coding messages.

Secret Messages with Ink or Art

Write secret messages with FriXion Pens (sponsored) The ink disappears with heat and reappears with cold.

Use glue resist art to hide your message. Reveal your message using crayons.

Or reveal your message with paint.

Write secret messages with baking soda. Use lemon juice or grape juice to reveal.

Make invisible ink with lemon juice and reveal with heat.

Code your name in jewelry using an ASCII binary code and colorful beads.

Secret Messages Using Glyphs

A glyph is a type of secret code written with pictures or symbols. Each of these glyphs is a piece of artwork with a hidden message about the artist. If you know the code, you can figure out who created the art.

Valentine Heart Glyph

Where the Wild Things Are Monster Glyphs

Christmas Ornament Glyph

M&M’s Valentine Glyph (sponsored) – use M&M’s to make the secret code

What ways to write secret messages have you tried?

Subscribe to the Inspiration Laboratories newsletter. Each issue has exclusive hands-on science explorations for children, a recap of our latest activities, and special resources selected just for you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *