Mystery Message Maker

Why

It's no mystery why kids create secret messages! From travel games to spy stories, Mystery Message Maker can make your child a super sleuth.

Steps

1. Decide whether you want to use your Mystery Message Maker to tell fortunes, as a game, for secret messages, for a birthday card, or some other use! If you make several with friends, you can exchange your secret messages.

2. With Crayola® Scissors cut different colors of paper (fluorescent works well) into rectangles. Fold the strips in half.

3. Use Crayola gel markers to write messages inside the folded papers. Adults or older children can help young writers.

4. Arrange the folded papers on black construction paper in a design that fits your theme. Use a Crayola Glue Stick to glue down the back of the folded message strips.

5. Fold in two corners of each message strip and press firmly to create triangles. Have fun with friends unfolding each other's secret messages. September 15, Agatha Christie's birthday, is a great time to start sleuthing!

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Related Crafts

Crafts

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Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Gel Markers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Blunt-Tip Scissors
  • Construction Paper
household supplies
  • fluorescent paper (optional)

Where & When

"My kids assigned number to colors. They roll a die to find out which secret message to open."
Guliana D., mother of three ages 6 to 12.

"Kids created a fortune game for our fall bazaar. Participants chose their favorite color, and kids read a fortune on that color."
Kit T., PTA volunteer.


Interesting Info

Edgar Allan Poe was credited with creating the first modern detective story when he wrote The Murders in the Rue Morgue in 1841. The story features a clever sleuth, C. Auguste Dupin, who solves the mystery through his brilliant analysis of facts, motives, and clues.