How to Make Spy Stuff

You were born to be a spy. You move quietly, like a cat, unseen and unheard, all the while monitoring the activities of others. You gather secrets and evidence as easily as other kids gather marbles. With a few household items, you can expand your spying activities without anyone knowing.

Things You'll Need

• Pasta box
• Small video camera
• Tin can
• Small digital recorder or wireless microphone
• Dog collar (attached to dog)
• Laptop with built-in webcam
• Variety of hats
• Sunglasses

Instructions

1. Keep your cell phone ready to use at a moment's notice and learn to operate the buttons that take photographs and create video recordings by touch. The next time you witness an event or conversation, people will think you're fiddling with your cell phone, but you'll really be filming them in secret.

2. Cut out the cellophane window from an empty pasta box or a similar box. Tuck a small camcorder inside with the lens in alignment with the cutout. Replace the box on the shelf or on a countertop to record unsuspecting people in the kitchen.

3. Empty a vegetable can, wash it, and dry it thoroughly. Approach a closed door when you know a secret conversation is taking place in the room beyond. Place the open end of the can carefully against the door, taking care not to bump it and give yourself away. Press your ear against the end of the can, and the voices in the next room will be amplified.

4. Recruit your dog when you need to spy on people in other parts of the house. Discretely hook a minirecorder to his collar and turn it underneath so it is invisible to others. Send him into the room with the people you want to spy on after turning the recorder o, and call him out later when you're sure you have the conversation on tape.

5. Open your laptop in a room where others are talking, and pretend someone calls you away for an important task. Leave your laptop open with the webcam pointed toward the others in the room so it can record what they say and do while you're gone.

6. Create disguises by tucking your hair up underneath various hats and wear sunglasses. You can also wear clothing that is a size or two bigger and use lots of padding to keep people from recognizing you.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that not everyone will be happy if you spy on them and record their conversations. If you're going to spy on people, be prepared to deal with their anger when they discover your activities.