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How to Make Secret Code Wheels for Kids

Kids like to pretend they are spies from time to time. They use magnifying glasses to find clues. Sometimes those spies need to send messages to other spies; however, they can't just write out a message that everyone can read. They need to write a message in code. Make secret code wheels for your kids to play with and to help them send and interpret coded messages they receive.

Things You'll Need

Card stock
2 different sized glasses
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler
Fine-point marker
Hole punch
Metal clasp

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the card stock on a flat surface. Draw two circles, using the pencil, by tracing around the lips of the glasses. Make sure one of the glasses is at least 1/2-inch larger in diameter than the other one.
- 2
  Cut out the two rounds using the scissors.
- 3
  Divide the circle into 26 wedges using the pencil and the ruler. Draw 13 straight lines across the circle, as you would in cutting a pizza, to give you the 26 different wedges. Do this on both of the circles.
- 4
  Trace over the wedge lines using a fine-point tipped permanent marker.
- 5
  Write all 26 letters, in alphabetical order, at the edges of the circle inside the individual wedges on the larger circle.
- 6
  Come up with a special code and write it out on paper. Assign each of the letters a number, symbol or another letter--for example, A = 1.
- 7
  Copy the code from the paper to the wedges on the smaller circle.
- 8
  Lay the smaller circle on top of the larger circle. Center the smaller circle inside the larger circle so you can easily see all the letters or figures on both circles.
- 9
  Punch a hole through the center of both circles. Add the metal clasp through the front of the code wheel and open the clasps on the back to hold the two pieces in place; adjust so that it is loose enough to allow the circles to turn.

Kids Games