Oh how I loved secret codes when I was a kid. The ability to write a coded letter without anyone but the recipient was just plain fun.
Today on Kids Activities Blog we have 5 secret codes for kids to write their own coded letter.
5 Secret Codes for Kids
1. Reverse the Words
This is a simple code to solve – just read the words backwards! Even though it seems simple once you know the secret, it can be a hard one to figure out when you don’t.
2. Half-Reversed Alphabet
Write out the letters from A to M then write the letters from N to Z directly below them.
3. Block Cipher
Write the message in a rectangular block, one row at a time (we used 5 letters in each row). Then writes down the letters as they appear in the columns.
4. Read Every Second Letter
Read every second letter starting at the first letter, and when you finish, start again on the letters you missed.
5. PigPen
The PigPen code is easier than it looks and is my children’s favorite. First, draw out the two grids below and fill in the letters:
Each letter is represented by the lines around it (or pigpen).
Write a Coded Letter
We practiced writing our names and silly words before moving to coding whole sentences.
The letters and messages you can write can be fun, but make sure you send along a key so the recipient can figure it all out!
Natalie
July 30, 2013 at 8:33 amGreat ideas! I’ve never seen Pig Pen cypher before. I am pinning this post!
Gina
July 31, 2013 at 5:45 amoh, how much fun my secret spies will have with this this afternoon. knaht uoy! Lol.
katepickle
July 31, 2013 at 6:10 amOh my kids are going to LOVE this… so so so very much!!
Ricki @ The Questionable Homesteader
August 6, 2013 at 9:14 amI really like this idea! What a great way to engage both your and their minds.
Sandy
August 7, 2013 at 3:34 pmI loved secret codes when I was a kid! And then there are the “secret” languages such as Pig Latin and Ubbi-Dubbi! My own mother was an expert at speaking Pig Latin to Dad when my siblings and I were too young to understand it and she didn’t want us to know what she was saying!
Kriss MacDonald
August 8, 2013 at 8:45 pmi made up my own secret code when I was little but these are some great suggestions to get kids interested.
Deceptively Educational
August 11, 2013 at 5:38 pmMy son LOVES secret codes and I’ve found them to be a GREAT way to sneak in some word work. Thanks for sharing at the After School Linky Party. I’ll be featuring this post tomorrow. Stop by to check it out and share more great ideas from the quirky mommas!
Mariely
August 12, 2013 at 12:40 amOh, so many good memories from this!! PigPen was my favorite and number 4 is great too. Thanks so much for sharing it at the Less laundry, More Linking party.
Claire @ A Little Claireification
August 14, 2013 at 8:10 amThis is SOOO much fun, my boys will LOVE this!!
On behalf of Lisa, Cindy & myself, thanks so much for sharing your links at our “Best Of The Weekend party”! I am pinning all to our party board and pinning this to another big board too.
We hope to see you again when the party kicks off again Friday eve at 8PM EST.
Have a great week!
xoxo
Reshama
August 14, 2013 at 11:16 amaha! i can imagine DD’s reaction to this.. a fun game for a long drive. thanks for sharing!
-Reshama @ StackingBooks.com
jay
August 11, 2017 at 1:32 amin number 4 there should be an s before the t on the bottom line