Invisible Ink: SPOOKY!
Common household items will make this activity one to talk about! Let's work with pH indicators and chemical changes to make invisible ink.
Fun Facts/Information:
- Turmeric is a spice that comes from the Curcuma Longa plant.
- Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate and can be used in baking.
- The pH value of something tells us how acidic or basic it is.
- The baking soda and water solution is a base, when we add the turmeric and hand sanitizer solution, they react to each other.
- An indicator is a chemical that will change colors if it mixes with a base.
- The turmeric and hand sanitizer solution experiences a chemical change and changes into a darker color when touching the base mixture, which creates an indicator.
Materials:
- 2 Pieces of Cardstock
- Gel Hand Sanitizer
- Sponge Brush
- Small Paintbrush
- 1 Tablespoon of Turmeric
- 1 Tablespoon of Baking soda
- 2 Dixie Cups
- Water
Procedure:
- Prepare the Baking Soda Solution
- Fill one Dixie Cup halfway with water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and stir with a paintbrush until mostly dissolved.
- Write Your Secret Message
- Dip the paintbrush into the baking soda solution and use it to write a message or draw an image on one sheet of cardstock.
- The writing will be invisible, except for a slight wetness.
- Repeat the Writing Process
- Use the same technique to write a different message or image on the second sheet of cardstock.
- Prepare the Turmeric Mixture
- In the second Dixie Cup, add about 4 pumps of hand sanitizer.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon of turmeric. Be careful—this mixture can stain surfaces and clothing.
- Stir with the sponge brush until the turmeric is fully blended. The mixture should have a runny consistency.
- Reveal Your Secret Message
- Once the secret message is dry, dip the sponge brush into the turmeric mixture.
- Paint over the dried message to reveal the hidden writing or image.
Quick Links
Where are Activities Available?
We partner with over 600 educational organizations.
See our school locator