How to Make a Secret Message Book
by Dena McMurdie
Sure you can use invisible ink, but it’s much more fun and creative to communicate with others by making a secret message book. Here’s how to make your own.
What You’ll Need:
- Blank paper*
- Pens, pencils, crayons, or markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Cardboard (cereal boxes work great)
- Scrapbook paper
*This book works best if your paper is square. If you are a little obsessive (like me), print out the template below and cut off the bottom section (it’s labeled). You will have a square piece of paper and a cutting guide for Step 2.
What to Do:
Step 1: Draw a picture or write a message on a blank piece of square paper or the template provided.
Step 2: Cut your paper into a square spiral, keeping it as even as possible. Use the template or measure out your own spiral for best results.
Step 3: Starting at the center, fold your paper accordion-style until it’s fully creased.
Step 4: For the cover, cut cardboard to the size of your book, accounting for the spine and back cover. Mark where your spine will be and fold the cardboard along those lines. This will make it easier to bend the cover into a book shape in Step 8.
Step 5: Cut out a piece of scrapbook paper a little bigger than your cardboard. Lay the cardboard flat and glue it to the scrapbook paper.
Step 6: Cut off the corners of your scrapbook paper.
Step 7: Fold down the flaps of excess paper and glue them into place.
Step 8: Cut out another piece of scrapbook paper, a little smaller than your cover. Glue it over the exposed cardboard. While the glue is still wet, bend your cover back into a book shape.
Step 9: Glue one end of the paper accordion to the cover. Do not glue the other end.
Step 10: Gather your “pages” and fit them inside the cover.
All done! Now you can give your book to a friend and when they unfold the pages, your secret message will be revealed.