Invisible Ink Pen, MALEDEN Spy Pen with UV Light Magic Marker Kid Pens for Secret Message and Party Goody Bag Stuffer (6)

Product Information

Invisible ink may not be obvious to the naked eye, but pen scratches and abnormalities on the paper can be telltale signs of its presence. Some inks are easier to develop than others, which means anyone with knowledge of invisible inks may be able to decode your message.

For children just entering the world of writing, the right school pen can make all the difference. Our selection includes pen choices used nationally by schools with easy grip and smooth nibs - perfect for small hands and developing writing. Are you ready to fine tune your spycraft? Recruit a couple of super-sneaky friends or family members to help you explore one or more of the following secret activities: For example, let's imagine you use soapy water to write your message. If someone found your paper, they might use heat, chemicals and ultraviolet light. Since soapy water is reactive to each of these, it wouldn't take them long to reveal your top-secret message. Light-activated inks work because they contain substances that glow under different types of light, but remain invisible to the naked eye. This means no big, ugly stamp marks on your hand and no more free admission for anyone trying to sneak in. Examples of light-activated invisible inks include laundry detergents containing brighteners, soaps, and human saliva.

Site Customisation

While many people opt for a DIY alternative such as vinegar or lemon juice, this is an option that can get messy. And this is especially true if you need this for small kids, because chances are they’ll make a mess that takes hours to clean. Therefore, an invisible ink spy pen is a good alternative.

What do you think? How would you answer the challenge? It can be fun to think like a spy and figure out ways to send secret messages. One way to do this (and answer the challenge) is to use invisible ink. We sometimes take for granted just how often we need and use pens in our daily lives and the moment you desperately need one, there never seems to be one to hand. Our exciting WHSmith range encompasses thousands of styles and pen types so you need never be without one again. If you’re a dedicated handwriting aficionado, browse our selection of stylish fountain pens from Parker fountain pens to LAMY, Cross and Caran d'Ache for the ultimate writing experience. For those destined to scribble on every paper surface available, our selection of ballpoint pens, rollerball pens and gel pens are easy to use and beautifully designed.

Not Quite!

Another type of invisible ink is chemically activated. Chemically-activated inks can be made from any two chemical substances that are colorless until mixed with one another. When the message receiver adds the second chemical developer, the chemical reaction between both substances causes the color to change and the message to appear. Vinegar alone can be heat-activated, but if you add red cabbage water instead of heat, it becomes a chemically-activated invisible ink. It is easy to make heat-activated invisible ink. You probably already have the ingredients in your refrigerator and cupboard. Try creating invisible messages using these ingredients as invisible inks: ATTENTION, SECRET WONDER AGENTS: Today's Wonder, should you choose to explore it, is one of great mystery…and science. Your challenge is to leave a written message on a piece of paper in a way that people won't see the message, even if they stare right at it.