Thinkabara

🕵️ Printable secret code sheets

Google Classroom

Six ready-to-print pages: a shape code for little ones, three ciphers for grades 1–6, a cut-out cipher wheel and an answer page. Tick the sheets you want and press Print.

Sheets to print

Want to type and crack codes on screen? Use the secret code maker.

Sheet 1: Preschool and K · the shape code

The shape codeEvery shape is a letter. Write the letter in the box below it, then draw what you found!ACDGOTSU

Sheet 2: Grades 1–2 · number code

Crack the message: number codeFind each number in the key and write its letter on the line below.A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J10K11L12M13N14O15P16Q17R18S19T20U21V22W23X24Y25Z26185121215618951442811616254125325152111851191444718512010152520853111591981520Your turn: write a message to a friend in numbers and let them crack it

Sheet 3: Grades 3–4 · next letter

Crack the message: next letterEvery letter was swapped for the letter after it. Go back one letter and write it below.BACBDCEDFEGFHGIHJIKJLKMLNMONPOQPRQSRTSUTVUWVXWYXZYAZ1UIFTFDSFUJTVOEFSUIFUBCMF2TFDSFUNFFUJOHBGUFSSFDFTT3NZEPHDBOLFFQBTFDSFUBonus: hold a mirror next to this line and write what it saysGREAT WORK DETECTIVE

Sheet 4: Grades 5–6 · reverse alphabet

Crack the message: reverse alphabetThe alphabet flips: A swaps with Z, B swaps with Y. Write each letter’s partner below it.ZAYBXCWDVEUFTGSHRIQJPKOLNMMNLOKPJQIRHSGTFUEVDWCXBYAZ1GSVGIVZHFIVRHYFIRVWFMWVIGSVLZPGIVV2DSLVEVIIVZWHGSRHRHZIVZOWVGVXGREV3GLWZBHKZHHDLIWRHXZKBYZIZ4GLNLIILDZGVRTSGYBGSVYRTGIVVCaesar’s challenge: every letter moved 3 forward. Who is "FDHVDU"?

Sheet 5: cut-out cipher wheel

Cut-out cipher wheelABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZBig wheelCut out both circles, lay the small one on the big one, and ask a grown-up to pin them at the center.Turn the small wheel so its A sits under the letter you chose: that is your key. Encode from small to big.ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZSmall wheel

Sheet 6: answers

Answers for teachers and parentsKindergarten · the shape codeCAT · DOG · DOT · TOAD · GOAT · COATGrades 1–2 · number code1. HELLO FRIEND2. HAPPY DAY3. YOU ARE KIND4. GREAT JOB5. THE CAKE IS HOTGrades 3–4 · next letter1. THE SECRET IS UNDER THE TABLE2. SECRET MEETING AFTER RECESS3. MY DOG CAN KEEP A SECRETBonus: GREAT WORK DETECTIVEGrades 5–6 · reverse alphabet1. THE TREASURE IS BURIED UNDER THE OAK TREE2. WHOEVER READS THIS IS A REAL DETECTIVE3. TODAYS PASSWORD IS CAPYBARA4. TOMORROW AT EIGHT BY THE BIG TREEChallenge: CAESAR

Questions and answers

Which sheet fits which age?

Sheet 1 (shapes) is for preschool and kindergarten: only eight letters, each drawn as a shape. Sheet 2 (numbers, A=1) fits grades 1–2, sheet 3 (next letter) grades 3–4, and sheet 4 (reverse alphabet) grades 5–6. The cipher wheel works for everyone from about age 8.

Can I print just one sheet?

Yes. Tick only the sheets you want before pressing Print. Each sheet prints on its own US Letter page.

Where are the answers?

On sheet 6, made from the same messages as the puzzle sheets, so they always match. Leave it unticked if the kids are printing for themselves.

Put the codes to work in an escape room or a treasure hunt.