Picture this: you have something super awesome or important to tell your friends, but you want to keep the information a secret— what do you do?
You could whisper it in their ear. Or maybe just think really hard about the message and hope you develop telepathic powers.But until that happens, secret codes are the way to go.
Awaken the spy or detective within you, and the next time you have something to communicate to your friends, write it on a banana (you'll understand soon).
Sneaky reverse alphabet
Hint: the decoded message is "hey you."
All you need to know for this secret code is your ABCs. And what your confidential message is, of course!
Write the alphabet out in full from A to Z. Then, right underneath, write the alphabet out from Z to A with Z under A, Y under B, X under C and so on.
When you write out your secret message, use the letters from the backwards alphabet (the red letters in the photo below) that correspond to the letters in the A to Z alphabet (the blue letters in the photo below).
For example, if you want to write "yes" you would spell it out as "bvh" because when using the reverse alphabet code Y = B, E = V and S = H. Can you figure out what the confidential code is in the image below?
Secretive banana message
Oh wow look! Someone left a message on one of these bananas!
Here's where that bit about the banana will start make sense! All you need to grab is a ripe banana and a toothpick to write with. Thenyou can start using thisyellow fruit for hidden messages.
Your message can't be too long since it has to fit on the banana.But whatever you write will be kept completely secret until about an hour later. Then,what you wrote will turn brown and the message will be revealed.
This is a clever way to pass short messages back and forth with your friends,since all anyone will see is a banana. And thenyou have a healthy snack for later!
Mysterious invisible ink
Why write in blue or black when you can make your words invisible?
Here's what you'll need to keep your top secret messages safe under a cloak of invisibility: paper, water, a paintbrush or cotton swab to write with, a lamp, and vinegar or lemon juice.
Once you've mixed a few drops of water with your vinegar or lemon juice, just dip yourwriting utensil in and put whatever words you want onthe piece of paper.
At first, you won't see anything. But that's the idea!You want it to look like a blank page with no mysterious message whatsoever— but when you or a friend put the paper in front of the lamp, your secret information will be revealed!
Confidential white crayon letter
If you don't have lemon juice or vinegar handy (or you just know you'd spill it all over the place!), there's still a way to send a sneaky invisbile message.
Grab a white crayon, a piece of paper and markers, highlighters or watercolour paint. Use the crayon to write your secret message on the paper and be sure to press downhard when you're spelling out your words.Thatwill make the reveal later easier to read.
Once you've gotten your words down, have your friend cover the page with marker, highlighter or paint. They'll go from seeing an empty page to a clear message!
