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How to Make Spy Gadgets With Household Objects

Both children and adults are fascinated by the world of spying and the interesting gadgets these secret agents use to get the bad guy. You can purchase spy gadgets at both specialty spy stores and department stores, but expect to pay a high price. Instead of spending money on a spy gadget for a child who may be rough with the item, construct a homemade spy gadget with the child. You can complete these craft projects with items found throughout the home, from the linen closet to Mom's purse.

Things You'll Need

2 tbsp. powdered starch
3 small porcelain bowls
Candle
Lighter
Tongs
Bread knife
Small makeup brush
Clear tape
White index card
Tissue box
Utility knife
Digital camera

Instructions

Homemade Fingerprint Powder
- 1
  Pour two tbsp. powdered starch into a small porcelain bowl.
- 2
  Light a candle. Use any type of candle, but a stick candle works best. Get an adult to perform this step.
- 3
  Hold a second small porcelain bowl upside-down over the candle with tongs. The porcelain bowl captures the soot from the candle. An adult should perform this step.
- 4
  Scrape the soot away from the porcelain bowl with a bread knife and place the soot into a third porcelain bowl.
- 5
  Continue to gather the soot until you have collected two tbsp. or as much starch as used in Step 1.
- 6
  Mix the two tbsp. starch with the two tbsp. soot in either porcelain bowl.
- 7
  Place a fingerprint onto a smooth surface, such as a mirror or the same glass coffee table.
- 8
  Dip a small makeup brush, such as the kind used for blush, into the starch-and-soot mixture and brush it over the fingerprint. Blow away any excess powder.
- 9
  Place a piece of clear tape over the print to lift it from the smooth surface. Place the tape onto a white index card and press it down gently to transfer the print. Carefully lift off the tape to leave the print behind.
Hidden Camera
- 10
  Remove the contents of a tissue box. Set the tissues aside.
- 11
  Cut a 1/2-inch diameter hole in the side of the box with a utility knife.
- 12
  Set a digital camera inside the box with the lens resting against the hole in the box. Place the camera on "record video" before you place it inside the box.
- 13
  Place two to three sheets of the tissue back into the box.
- 14
  Remove a tissue from the box, and at the same time, start the camera. The camera will begin recording without the knowledge of any other person in the room.

Childrens Toys