Creative Dad CompanyCreative Dad Company
TechnologyMathStorytelling

Secret Message Headquarters

Log in to save
Grades K-230-45 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids invent their own code using light, sound, or symbols to send a secret message across the room. It's a fun way to explore communication technology while playing spy headquarters.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 35 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 9 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to build a simple code system, like flashlight blinks or bell patterns, with a key card to decode it. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Secret Message Headquarters challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Predict how a message could be sent across the room without talking, using only light or sound.
  2. Build a simple code system, like flashlight blinks or bell patterns, with a key card to decode it.
  3. Send and decode a real message and discover a signal was misread, then refine the code to fix the mix-up.
  4. Present the decoded secret message to headquarters, explaining how the code works.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: The learner completes Secret Message Headquarters after carrying out this core test: Send and decode a real message and discover a signal was misread, then refine the code to fix the mix-up. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Present the decoded secret message to headquarters, explaining how the code works.

Materials

Flashlights, bells or a cup-and-string telephone, code key cards, paper and pencils

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Predict how a message could be sent across the room without talking, using only light or sound.
  2. Build a simple code system, like flashlight blinks or bell patterns, with a key card to decode it.
  3. Send and decode a real message and discover a signal was misread, then refine the code to fix the mix-up.
  4. Present the decoded secret message to headquarters, explaining how the code works.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · 1-PS4-4

    Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.