How to Make Spy Gear Crafts for Kids

If your child dreams of being a super secret agent or spy, indulge his fantasy by helping him craft his own spy gear that includes binoculars, invisible ink, fingerprint powder and a fake mustache as a disguise. Make sure to help your child through the crafting process, and encourage him to be creative. Once his spy gear is complete, store it in a knapsack or small case that he can discreetly carry around. Spy gear crafts are a way to teach your child about science as well as spark his creativity.

Things You'll Need

• 2 empty toilet paper rolls
• Black paint
• Clear tape
• Hole punch
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Lemon juice
• Small cup
• Cotton swab
• Paper
• Hair dryer
• Cornstarch
• Empty film container
• Long candle
• small porcelain plate
• Plastic knife
• Paintbrush
• Note card
• Black or brown fur fabric
• False eyelash glue

Instructions

Binoculars

1. Paint the outside of two empty toilet paper rolls with black acrylic paint and let them dry.

2. Hold the toilet paper rolls together so that they are side by side. Use tape to bind the two rolls together where they meet at the front and the back.

3. Puncture the outer side of one of the rolls at the end with a hole punch. Do the same for the other roll.

4. Cut a piece of yarn to about 16 inches long with scissors and string one end through one of the holes. Tie it into a knot to secure it to the hole. Do the same for the other end of the yarn so your child can hang the binoculars from his neck.

Invisible Ink

1. Pour a small amount of lemon juice into a cup. Dip the end of a cotton swab in the lemon juice.

2. Write out your secret message on a piece of paper with the lemon-soaked end of the cotton swab, much like if you were using a regular pencil. Let the lemon juice message dry.

3. Hold the paper up and heat it with a hair dryer. The acid in the lemon juice will turn brown, revealing the secret message.

Fingerprint Powder

1. Sprinkle some cornstarch powder into an empty film container that has a cap.

2. Light the candle, and hold the porcelain plate directly over the flame so that the flame is touching it. This will produce soot on the plate.

3. Remove the plate from the flame and scrape the soot into the film container with a plastic knife. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until there is as much soot in the container as cornstarch.

4. Close the film container and shake to mix the soot and powder together. Take a dry paintbrush and dip the tip into the powder. Dust a nonfabric area with the powder and blow away the excess to reveal a fingerprint.

5. Place the sticky side of a piece of tape over the fingerprint and peel it away. The fingerprint will come off on the tape. Adhere the piece of tape to a note card to save in your child's "spy files."

Fake Mustache

1. Cut a thin strip in any mustache shape from a piece of brown or black fur fabric. Keep the mustache relatively small.

2. Squeeze a line of false eyelash glue along the nonfur backing of the fabric.

3. Adhere the mustache to your child's upper lip and hold for about 30 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove false eyelash glue with soap and warm water.

References

• Sprout: Binoculars
• Kidz World: Making Invisible Ink Appear
• Top Spy Secrets: Fingerprint Powder