If you were a spy today, would you trust invisible inks to send secret messages? Why or why not? What other means of communication might you use instead to communicate secretly with other spies or government agents? What are the pros and cons of these other methods? Is there any completely safe and secure means of communicating in the Internet age? Are you ready to fine tune your spycraft? Recruit a couple of super-sneaky friends or family members to help you explore one or more of the following secret activities: With that being said, how would you choose which one to go for? There are quite a lot of options out there, and not all of them are worth it. Well, below we’ve got a list of four options, and then we’ll discuss how an invisible ink spy pen works, so you can be sure they’re completely harmless. Without wasting any more of your time, let’s go.

One very simple form of invisible ink is heat activated. These inks can be made from many types of organic liquid. Once the message dries on the paper, it is invisible. Another type of invisible ink is chemically activated. Chemically-activated inks can be made from any two chemical substances that are colorless until mixed with one another. When the message receiver adds the second chemical developer, the chemical reaction between both substances causes the color to change and the message to appear. Vinegar alone can be heat-activated, but if you add red cabbage water instead of heat, it becomes a chemically-activated invisible ink. Today, many amusement parks use light-activated invisible inks. If you need to leave the park, they will stamp your hand, but you may be surprised when you look down to find nothing is there. When you return to the park, they will ask you to put your hand under a special light, and just like magic, a glowing stamp imprint appears. It is easy to make heat-activated invisible ink. You probably already have the ingredients in your refrigerator and cupboard. Try creating invisible messages using these ingredients as invisible inks: We sometimes take for granted just how often we need and use pens in our daily lives and the moment you desperately need one, there never seems to be one to hand. Our exciting WHSmith range encompasses thousands of styles and pen types so you need never be without one again. If you’re a dedicated handwriting aficionado, browse our selection of stylish fountain pens from Parker fountain pens to LAMY, Cross and Caran d'Ache for the ultimate writing experience. For those destined to scribble on every paper surface available, our selection of ballpoint pens, rollerball pens and gel pens are easy to use and beautifully designed.Fluorescence is basically caused by a simple conversion of energy. The invisible UV light falls on the surface, it is absorbed, and it is re-emitted as light radiation, which is visible. The fact that the UV-visible ink has electrons that absorb the energy is what allows this to happen. For children just entering the world of writing, the right school pen can make all the difference. Our selection includes pen choices used nationally by schools with easy grip and smooth nibs - perfect for small hands and developing writing. What do you think? How would you answer the challenge? It can be fun to think like a spy and figure out ways to send secret messages. One way to do this (and answer the challenge) is to use invisible ink. ATTENTION, SECRET WONDER AGENTS: Today's Wonder, should you choose to explore it, is one of great mystery…and science. Your challenge is to leave a written message on a piece of paper in a way that people won't see the message, even if they stare right at it.

Well, you can – an invisible ink spy pen. While this is something an adult would easily understand, it’s going to be a very interesting concept for a kid who wants to feel like a spy. Whether they’ll use it to write secret messages to their siblings, or as a communication method with their friends at school, it’s undoubtedly a cool gift to get them. Invisible ink may not be obvious to the naked eye, but pen scratches and abnormalities on the paper can be telltale signs of its presence. Some inks are easier to develop than others, which means anyone with knowledge of invisible inks may be able to decode your message. When the ink is exposed to heat, such as under an iron or over a candle flame or 100-watt light bulb, the acids in the liquid turn a different color and the message becomes visible. You can find many heat-activated invisible inks right inside your kitchen, including clear soda, lemon juice, apple juice, onion juice, milk, soapy water, sugar water, and vinegar.WRITE YOUR SECRET MESSAGE: This magical invisible disappearing ink pen will write your secret message. Once your secret message has been written with this invisible ink pen, wait a few seconds to shine the light from the cap of the pen and reveal the secret of the secret message. For example, let's imagine you use soapy water to write your message. If someone found your paper, they might use heat, chemicals and ultraviolet light. Since soapy water is reactive to each of these, it wouldn't take them long to reveal your top-secret message. An UV pen, or UV marker, has fluorescent, yet transparent marks, which you can only see under ultraviolet light. The body is made of plastic usually, which is just like a regular pen. Inside, however, the ink is completely different. It contains a fluorescent that’s usually derived from things that glow when you expose them to ultraviolet light. This usually includes things such as diluted laundry detergent, as well as tonic water and vitamin B-12, which are dissolved in vinegar. ( 1) While many people opt for a DIY alternative such as vinegar or lemon juice, this is an option that can get messy. And this is especially true if you need this for small kids, because chances are they’ll make a mess that takes hours to clean. Therefore, an invisible ink spy pen is a good alternative. Light-activated inks work because they contain substances that glow under different types of light, but remain invisible to the naked eye. This means no big, ugly stamp marks on your hand and no more free admission for anyone trying to sneak in. Examples of light-activated invisible inks include laundry detergents containing brighteners, soaps, and human saliva.