With the Kids

3 Secret Codes You’ve Got to Try With Your Kids

I live with two aspiring secret agents, who sometimes need to send important cryptic messages to each other. In addition to experimenting with lemon juice as invisible ink, we’ve been having loads of fun trying out various secret codes and ciphers. And as a bonus, playing with secret codes is a great way to sneak some writing into your summer days!

3 Secret Codes to Try With Your Kids

Secret Codes #1: Reverse Alphabet

Secret Codes #1: Reverse Alphabet

Here’s a simple reverse alphabet code to start with. Write the alphabet on your paper, then write it backwards directly underneath your letters. To write your message, look at the top (orange) letters and write the bottom (blue) letters. To decipher it, find the letters on the bottom line, and write the corresponding letters from the top line.

Secret Codes #1: Reverse Alphabet

Secret Codes #2: Pig Pen

Secret Codes #2: Pig Pen

My girls loved the pig pen symbol code once they had some time to practice with it. Draw two grids – one like a tic-tac-toe board, and one X. Fill in your letters as shown. Each letter is represented by the lines around it, and the second letter in each space also gets a dot. For example, A looks like a backwards L, and B looks the same but with a dot added.

We practiced writing our names and silly words before moving to coding whole sentences. The messages you write with the pig pen code look very sneaky and secret!

Secret Codes #2: Pig Pen

Secret Codes #3: Grid

Secret Codes #3: Grid

A grid secret code is easy to set-up, and is great practice for using coordinates, too. Each letter is represented by a row letter (A-E) and a column number (1-5). Two letters have to share a space – I chose I and J, since they would not be easily confused in a word. We found that grid codes take a little extra time to write, but are quick to solve.

Secret Codes #3: Grid

We like leaving secret code notes for each other in unusual places – the bathroom mirror, under a pillow, in the freezer, at the bottom of the slide. I also use them to surprise the girls with spur-of-the-moment park outings or ice cream dates.

Another fun way to play with codes is to set up a scavenger hunt. This takes a little bit more planning and time, but is a great way to spend a hot afternoon inside. Have the last clue lead to a cool treat, a midday bath, or a special movie. Use different codes on each clue to keep your kids on their toes!

A secret code notebook can be a fun way to communicate with your child. Write the code keys inside the front cover, then take turns asking questions, writing notes of encouragement, or telling jokes – all in code!

Szkkb kozbrmt!

(That’s “Happy playing!” in reverse alphabet!)

27 comments

  1. Just a slight correction. On your pigpen code example, you actually wrote “I love zou!” based on how the code is set up. But, still a great idea and activity.

  2. Omg this is great I am training to be a spy and this is the code I’m going to uee.

  3. I just moved away from my family and am planning to write letters regularly to my niece. Writing notes in code will make our letters extra fun!

  4. Hi Monique,

    This is crazy cat kewl. I shall use this pegpen in my last will and testament. Hope you have a groovy day.

  5. Just as a heads up… That is not true pigpen. That is a verrrry similar version used for Assassin’s Creed, the video game.
    Super cool of you to do this. I love these codes!

    1. Yeah! I want to share with my friends on Google+, this is really cool and smart! ;)

  6. As always, Amy, you delight me with the fun you girls have! I love the pigpen. We’ll have to start that asap!

  7. This looks like so much fun! I know I will love doing this – hopefully my 8yo will too! :)

  8. This is awesome! Just did some codes for my 8.5 year old to solve during school time. He doesn’t need the extra work as much as the younger ones do, so this is a fun thing for him to do and still be doing ‘work’. Thanks for posting!

  9. I love this idea! My daughters are going to go nuts with it. My youngest Sofi (almost 7) is just old enough to get it. I’m gonna try to use the codes for a playdate soon. I’ll let you know how it goes!

  10. This is a great idea for a post! My oldest has just started to get into this so now I have some new ones to show her :)

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