The invisible ink hunt

Invisible ink is sooo cool. Forget the painstaking warming of lemon ink writing above a candle flame (but do let older kids give it a go), and find yourselves a UV invisible ink pen and torch . My local toy shop sells them for a couple of quid each… though you do need more pens than torches, the magic ink has a habit of drying up after the first month.  These pens come with a little led torch that allows you to check for counterfeit notes, they double for a little blue torch in their own right, they’re great for pikapika pictures and they read what you’ve just written in uv ink.

I’m planning a late night treasure hunt with these uv wonders.  I’ve found they can leave messages on - and can be wiped off again from - most hard non-porous surfaces  (please do still check in an unobtrusive area first).  Further research here at the welikeplay house-work minimising laboratory has also found that these unseeable messages denature over about 3 to 4 weeks so there really is no need to clean.  Saying that, I know there are permanent security markers around, perhaps be a little more cautious with these.

So in the evening - after bedtime -invisible messages are going up on windows, tiles, fridges, framed photos and mirrors around the house.  Perhaps even interspersed with invisible messages on my forehead for good luck, particularly as they’re branded non-toxic.  As with all treasure hunts they’re best created backwards.  Bury the treasure in a sock draw, scrawl on the outside in uv pen then find the next spot and refer back.  As long as you can remember where you’ve just been and your last stop - not as easy as it sounds, believe me - your trail will link up nicely.  The next evening, just as it gets dark, take them to your last stop and their first clue and hand out the torches.  Make a cup of tea and sit back contentedly as they charge around the house.

Enjoy.

tag... play for today, 5up, 8up, enjoy and achieve