#CampDIY Day 13: If I were invisible for a day-"..........."
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Write and illustrate a one-day invisible-adventure journal, plan safe secret activities, and create simple props to role-play how you would explore unnoticed.

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Step-by-step guide to create an "If I Were Invisible for a Day" adventure journal and role-play

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What you need
Adult supervision required, cardboard or fabric scraps, coloring materials such as crayons markers or colored pencils, optional craft bits like string or stickers, paper, pencil, scissors, tape or glue

Step 1

Gather all the materials from the list and put them on your workspace.

Step 2

Find a cozy quiet spot where you can think and create.

Step 3

Imagine what being invisible would feel like and pick three safe secret activities you would try.

Step 4

Write a short list of safety rules for your invisible day.

Step 5

Ask an adult to read your rules and secret activity list and get their approval.

Step 6

Write a journal entry titled Morning that describes one invisible adventure in two to four sentences.

Step 7

Write a journal entry titled Afternoon that describes one invisible adventure in two to four sentences.

Step 8

Write a journal entry titled Night that describes one invisible adventure in two to four sentences.

Step 9

Draw a simple illustration for each journal entry to show what you saw or did.

Step 10

Make a simple prop to role-play being invisible like a cloak or mask using cardboard or fabric scraps.

Step 11

Decorate your prop with coloring materials and optional craft bits.

Step 12

Assemble your pages and illustrations into a mini journal by fastening them with tape or glue.

Step 13

Add a fun title and write your name and the date on the journal cover.

Step 14

Share your finished invisible-adventure journal and props on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of cardboard, fabric scraps, or fancy craft bits if I don't have them?

Use a clean old T‑shirt or pillowcase instead of fabric scraps, cut cereal‑box cardboard for a cloak or mask, substitute magazine cutouts, stickers or crayon designs for craft bits, and use clear tape if you don't have glue.

My mini journal pages keep slipping or the cloak decorations won't stick—how can I fix that?

Trim cardboard so pieces fit, reinforce page edges and cloak seams with clear tape before gluing or decorating, and have the adult who approves your safety rules help hold glued parts until they dry.

How can I change the activity for different ages so it's not too hard or too easy?

For preschoolers, have an adult write dictated Morning/Afternoon/Night lines and use stickers for illustrations, for elementary kids follow the two‑to‑four sentence entries and simple props, and for tweens/teens add longer sensory journal entries, a sewn fabric cloak or photo illustrations, and more detailed safety rules.

How can we extend or personalize the invisible‑adventure journal and props after finishing the basic steps?

Add a safety‑reflection page, a secret‑map foldout of places you 'visited', a pocket for small props, personalize the cover with a decorated title/name/date, and record a short role‑play video to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to create an "If I Were Invisible for a Day" adventure journal and role-play

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Photosynthesis

4 Videos

Facts about creative writing and dramatic play for kids

✍️ Writing things down by hand helps your brain remember events better — perfect for an invisible-adventure journal!

🦑 Octopuses and cuttlefish can change color and texture so quickly they can vanish into the background in seconds.

🎭 Role-playing different characters can boost empathy and problem-solving because you practice seeing through someone else’s eyes.

🧪 Scientists have built tiny laboratory “invisibility” devices using metamaterials that bend light around objects.

🕵️‍♂️ The word “prop” comes from “property” — in theater, prop masters look after everything actors use on stage!

How do I run the "#CampDIY Day 13: If I were invisible for a day" activity?

Start by explaining the idea and setting a few safety rules (no leaving the house alone, no pranks). Have your child brainstorm invisible-adventure ideas, then write a one-day journal with timestamps and short scenes. Add illustrations for key moments. Build simple props like a paper cloak or cardboard spyglass for role-play. Act out a few safe scenes at home or in the yard, then finish by sharing the journal and reflecting on feelings and choices.

What materials do I need for the invisible-adventure journal and props?

You’ll need paper or a notebook, pencils and erasers, colored pencils or markers, and crayons for illustrations. For props: cardboard, scissors, tape or glue, string, fabric scraps for a cloak, and stickers for decoration. Optional items: a clipboard, hole punch, and a stapler to make a simple booklet, plus a safe flashlight or magnifying glass for pretend exploration.

What ages is the invisible-adventure activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages about 4–12 with adult support. Preschoolers (4–6) can dictate their journal while drawing pictures. Early elementary kids (6–8) can write short sentences and simple illustrations. Older children (9–12) can write more detailed entries, plan clever but safe secret activities, and design more elaborate props. Adjust supervision and complexity to match each child’s reading, writing, and safety awareness.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for this activity?

Benefits include creative writing, imagination, fine motor skills, and empathy by thinking about others. Safety tips: keep adventures fictional and home-based, avoid surveillance or pranks that involve others, and supervise outdoor play. Variations: make it a comic-strip journal, a collaborative family story, or a sound-only “invisible” scavenger hunt. For older kids, add a twist like a mystery to solve using clues in the journal.
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