Ghostly messages

You can make disappearing ink and write frightening fortunes for a spooky Halloween party game.

What you'll need

  • One lemon or one lime
  • Several sheets of white paper
  • Toothpick or cottom swab
  • Heating pad
  • Scarf

How to do it...

1. Squeeze the lemon or lime. The juice will be your disappearing ink.

2. Dip the toothpick or cotton swab into the juice and write a fortune on the paper for each party guest. Keep dipping so the toothpick or cotton swab stays wet.

3. The writing will disappear when the 'ink' dries.

4. Before you begin this ask an adult for permission. Turn the heating pad to high heat and let it warm up for a few minutes.

5. Conceal the heating pad by covering it with a scarf.

6. Give the invisible fortunes to your friends.

7. Place each sheet of paper under the heating pad, one at a time. In a few minutes, the message will appear. Remember to turn off the heating pad when you're finished.

How does it work?

Lemon juice and lime juice contain carbon. When heated, the carbon darkens, which allows you to read the message.

Text: Julie Vosburgh Agnone. Illustrations: Jim Carson.