Invisible Ink

Looking for a magical science experiment with a big wow moment? Try this Invisible Ink activity! Your child will love creating secret messages and watching them reveal like magic—with just a few simple ingredients from the kitchen.

  • Category: ** Free **

You’ll Need:

  • ⁠ ⁠Baking soda
  • ⁠ ⁠Water
  • ⁠ ⁠Turmeric
  • ⁠ ⁠Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • ⁠ ⁠White paper
  • ⁠ ⁠Thin and thick paintbrushes
  • ⁠ ⁠A small disposable container

Let’s Make the Magic Happen!

  1. Mix baking soda with a little water until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
  2. Use a thin paintbrush to paint designs or words onto white paper. It’ll be hard to see—so work in good lighting!
  3. Allow the paper to dry completely.
  4. Gently blow or shake off any leftover powder from the paper.
  5. To make the reveal mixture in a small disposable container, mix turmeric with a generous amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Stir until it becomes liquid.
  6. Use a thick paintbrush and the turmeric mixture to paint over the paper. Watch as hidden designs magically appear in a reddish colour!

Why We Love It:

  • ⁠ ⁠It’s simple to set up, but feels like a mini science lab right at your kitchen table.
  • ⁠ ⁠It’s a hands-on way to introduce pH indicators using safe, natural ingredients.
  • ⁠ ⁠It sparks curiosity and gets your kid asking “why?”—which is exactly what science is all about!
  • ⁠ ⁠The baking soda paste is nearly invisible when dry, making this a perfect “secret message” activity.

What’s Happening Here?

  • ⁠ ⁠Turmeric is a natural pH indicator—it changes color when it meets something acidic or basic.
  • ⁠ ⁠Baking soda is a base. When turmeric touches it, a chemical reaction occurs and reveals the drawing in red or reddish-brown.

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