Easy DIY Secret Message Decoders

Do your kids love ciphers, spies, and secret messages? My two boys LOVE pretending to be spies. We recently tried our hand at making some secret message decoders from recycled items around our house. Both boys loved this craft, so I'm sharing the directions here!

How to Make DIY Secret Spy Decoders

Materials needed:

• Clear hard plastic (usually from packages)
• Red Sharpie Marker
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Pencil/Pen
• Red and Orange Pens, Markers, and Colored Pencils
• Blue Marker (Or Green works too)
• Clear Tape

Let's Make some Secret Message Decoders!

1. Cut out a rectangle from a piece of cardboard. Then, cut out a small square from your cardboard. 

2. Cut out a piece of plastic that's larger than the hole in your cardboard. Color it red with your permanent marker.

3. Trim your plastic and tape it to the back of your decoder.

4. Now that you've made your decoder, it's time to write a secret message. Use a blue marker and write a message. Shhh! Don't show anyone.

5. Use your red and orange markers and pencils to hide your message. (We drew lines, x's, and squiggles through the words.) Then, use your decoder to read your secret message!

That's it!

I really hope you enjoy making this easy and fun craft with the kids! And if you're looking for more spy-like activities and crafts, check out these 5 easy ways to write secret messages! 

Happy creating and connecting, friends!