Playing spy is a classic activity that has been capturing children's minds for generations. To play, you don't need to use anything but your imagination, but assembling a spy kit to carry out your top-secret missions can add a whole new level to the excitement of the game. If you are an adult, a spy kit can make a great gift for an imaginative child or provide a way for them to have a few hours of fun.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Gather Ready-Made Items
Step 1. Find a container
You need a place to store all your cool spy gadgets. Anything that can be opened, such as a briefcase (a lunch box, a pencil case, an old typewriter packaging, etc.), will feel very official and detective.
- There is also a lot to say about a spy kit that you can have with you all the time and allows you to use both hands, so backpacks and fanny packs are also good options.
- Thrift stores are great places to search for spy luggage.
Step 2. Make sure you can see what you are doing
A good spy should not be hampered by poor visibility. You will need to bring tools to help you make sure you don't miss any important details:
- a flashlight to spy on dark corners
- a pair of binoculars to look at things from afar
- a magnifying glass to look closely at top secret materials
Step 3. Be prepared to take notes
Spies need to be able to pass secret messages in code and record their discoveries. No spy kit is complete without a good pen and notebook.
Step 4. Stay in touch with your fellow spies
You never know when you will need to call for help, or let the head of the organization know some urgent new information. Make sure your spy kit includes at least one communication device:
- a walkie talkie
- an old, unused cell phone
- a digital watch that serves as a communicator
Step 5. Equip yourself to check fingerprints
You'll need to figure out what the person you're spying on has been up to, and sprinkling for fingerprints is a great way to do that. Assemble a mock fingerprint analysis kit with some basic household items:
- a small container (a baby food bottle, plastic container, or even an airtight plastic bag) filled with flour
- a clean makeup brush
- a roll of clear tape (to collect fingerprints)
Method 2 of 3: Make Your Own Kit
Step 1. Build a briefcase
A spy needs a place to keep his gadgets. You can make your own briefcase out of a shoe box, some duct tape, a string, and paint or construction paper (optional).
- Attach the lid to the box on one of the long sides so that you can open the box without having to separate the lid.
- Construct handles with the cord, poking four holes on the other long side (two on the lid side, 2 to 3 inches apart, and two on the box side, identically spaced) and tying a knot. of rope through each hole.
- If you are in a hurry to go out and play, you can leave it at that and allow your imagination to do the decoration. However, if you have a little time, you can make it look more official by painting it black or covering it with black construction paper.
Step 2. Assemble a spy notebook
Every spy needs a place to write down top-secret information. Fold several sheets of paper in half, staple them, and write "TRACKS" or "ULTRA SECRET" on the cover.
- For a pocket notebook, start by cutting a few sheets of paper in half and folding them into a booklet rather than stapling them.
- Don't forget to pack a pen so you can write in your notebook.
Step 3. Build binoculars out of duct tape
Find a couple of toilet paper rolls and some duct tape, and improvise a pair of binoculars. You can make these look cooler by decorating them with crayons or markers, and make them more practical to wear by poking a hole on each side and adding string to hang them around your neck.
If you have a paper towel roll but don't have toilet paper, you can cut it in half and do the same, or use it as a telescope
Step 4. Make a cell phone
You should be able to call for backup, or call central office to report if something is wrong. Cut a cell phone-sized rectangle of cardboard and draw a screen and keyboard with a marker.
Step 5. Improvise some invisible ink
Squeeze some lemon juice into a baby food container or other small airtight container, and place a small bag with a handful of cotton buds inside. When you need to write a secret message, dip one of the cotton buds in the lemon juice and use it as a pen. When it dries, nothing will be seen, but the receiver, to be able to read it, will only need to be heated with a clothes iron, held near a candle, or put in the oven for a short time at a moderate temperature.
Of course, it is not safe for children to warm up one of these messages without adult supervision. If you are an adult doing invisible ink with a child, be sure to make it clear that they will need to ask an adult for help with this part of the process. If you are a child playing by yourself with invisible ink, remember never to use plates, stoves or flames without the help of an adult
Step 6. Be creative
Almost anything needed for a spy kit can be made with pipe cleaners and some cardboard. Spies are constantly adding new gadgets to their spy kits. Don't be afraid to invent new spy technology, or to update the technology you have.
Method 3 of 3: Dressing for the role
Step 1. Hide your eyes
Cover your face with a pair of sunglasses so that the enemy does not discover your true identity. They can be real lenses, or simulated lenses made with pipe cleaners.
Step 2. Use fake facial hair
This is a classic spy technique. Mislead your enemies by hiding your face with a fake mustache and / or beard.
- Buy fake mustaches at a store or toy store.
- Color cotton balls with markers and tape them to your face with double-sided tape.
- Cut out a beard and / or mustache shape from construction paper and glue it to your face with tape or string.
- Draw in facial hair with an eyeliner or makeup kit (with the permission of an adult, of course).
- If you have long hair, put it in front of your face and tie it at your chin so that it covers you like a beard.
Step 3. Wear a hat
Of course, the classic spy hat is the trilby, the iconic short-brimmed hat used by James Bond, but any hat that has a brim will help cover your face. Also, a trilby hat is not appropriate for all spying situations. Depending on where and who you are spying on, you might be better off wearing a baseball cap, fedora, or even a cowboy hat. It's about going unnoticed and staying hidden.
Step 4. Dress for your mission
A trench coat is the standard spy uniform. It's black, which helps you disappear into the night, hides your entire body from your enemies, and has plenty of pockets for your spy gadgets. However, in some situations a trench coat will make you stand out too much, which is not ideal for a spy.
- If you go undercover, dress up as the type of person you're trying to appear.
- If you're going to sneak into a high-security vault, wearing skin-tight black clothing is a good idea, especially if you're concerned about triggering a laser-activated trap.
- If you are concerned about leaving footprints, be sure to bring a pair of gloves.
Step 5. Use a communicator
You need to be able to contact the central office at any time, and you don't want to worry about your cell phone slipping out of your pocket while you're sneaking out. Use a digital clock (preferably one with a large screen) and pretend it is a communication device.