Kids love the idea of being able to send secret messages that no one else but their intended recipient can read. This is why they love codes, and also why they love the idea of being able to write messages in invisible ink. In this experiment, kids can learn how to make their own invisible ink using things you probably already have in your kitchen cupboards (or that you can buy from your local food shop if you don’t) that they can use to write a secret message and then reveal it using a special revealer solution. This,is made from an every day food stuff so everything is almost completely safe to do. This experiment is a great introduction to chemistry and the idea of chemical reactions, but be warned, it uses turmeric, which can stain things yellow or orange, so it is best to supervise this activity closely..
If you want to give this a go, then the short video below shows you how to make invisible ink, write a message with it and then make a revealer that can be applied to it so you can see it.
What Will You Need? For this experiment, you will need: Two containers, some water, bicarbonate of soda/baking soda, turmeric, a cotton bud, some paper and a couple of sheets of kitchen roll/kitchen towel.
How Long Will It Take? It will take about five minutes to make the invisible ink and write the secret message, and another five minutes to reveal it. However, it will also take between ten minutes and an hour for the message to dry between these two parts of the activity.
What Age Of Child Can Do This Experiment? This experiment can be down with children aged three and and older. However, younger children should be supervised when using the turmeric-based revealer as this can cause yellow/orange staining to fingers, faces, clothes, carpets and anything else it touches!
What Core Life Skills Will It Help Develop? This is a great experiment to introduce children to the idea of chemical reactions, and to science in general.
About The Author: This post was written by Colin Drysdale, the creator of How To Raise A Happy Genius.
