Make the Magic Ink & the Oozing Blood Potion
Make invisible 'magic' ink from lemon juice and heat, then create safe oozing fake blood potion using corn syrup and food coloring for spooky effects.
Step-by-step guide to Make the Magic Ink & the Oozing Blood Potion
Step 1
Gather all your materials and find a clean flat workspace where you can make a little mess.
Step 2
Squeeze about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into a small bowl.
Step 3
Dip a cotton swab or paintbrush into the lemon juice and write a secret word or draw a picture on the paper.
Step 4
Let the paper air dry completely until it feels dry to the touch.
Step 5
With adult help slowly warm the dry paper near a warm light bulb or have an adult hold it over a low flame until the hidden writing appears.
Step 6
Pour about 2 tablespoons of corn syrup into a clean small bowl.
Step 7
Add 6 to 8 drops of red food coloring to the corn syrup and stir until the color is even.
Step 8
Add a tiny pinch of cocoa powder or one drop of blue food coloring and stir to darken the red for a more realistic color.
Step 9
Test one tiny drop on a paper towel to check the color and thickness of your fake blood.
Step 10
If the fake blood is too thick add 1 to 2 drops of water and stir to thin it a little.
Step 11
Do not taste the fake blood and keep it away from your mouth and eyes.
Step 12
Use a dropper or teaspoon to drip the fake blood where you want spooky oozing effects on your prop or costume.
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find corn syrup or lemon juice?
If corn syrup is unavailable, substitute golden syrup or thick honey in the 'Pour about 2 tablespoons of corn syrup' step (thin honey with 1–2 drops of water), and if lemon juice is missing try white vinegar or milk for the 'about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice' invisible-ink step.
My hidden message didn't show up when I warmed the paper — what should I check?
If the writing doesn't appear, double-check that the paper was allowed to air dry completely as instructed and then have an adult carefully warm it near a light bulb or hold it briefly over a low flame to reveal the lemon-juice marks.
How can I adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult apply the lemon juice and do the warming step while the child uses a cotton swab to write and a teaspoon to drip pre-made fake blood, and for older kids let them mix the corn syrup, red food coloring, and cocoa powder and adjust thickness themselves for realistic oozing effects.
How can we make the fake blood look more realistic or add extras?
To enhance realism, follow the step adding a 'tiny pinch of cocoa powder or one drop of blue food coloring' to darken the red, test one tiny drop on a paper towel to check color and thickness, and vary water drops to change how the fake blood oozes on props before sharing on DIY.org.
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Facts about kitchen chemistry for kids
🍯 Corn syrup is thick and glossy, which makes a very convincing fake blood that drips slowly like the real thing.
🧼 Food coloring can stain clothes and skin, but soap, warm water, and a bit of scrubbing usually help lift the color away.
🔥 Heat speeds up tiny chemical changes (oxidation and caramelization) that turn clear juices into brown marks you can read.
🍋 Lemon juice contains natural sugars and acids that brown when heated, which is why it works as invisible 'magic' ink.
🕵️♂️ Invisible inks have been used for centuries by spies and secret-writers — Benjamin Franklin and other historic figures knew about secret inks!
How do you make invisible magic ink and an oozing fake blood potion?
What materials do I need to make lemon-juice magic ink and corn syrup fake blood?
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