oshc activities
Spy School / Secret Decoder Wheels

Secret Decoder Wheels

Older children make a two-layer cipher wheel and use it to encode and decode secret messages.

How to run it

  1. Print or draw two card circles of different sizes with the alphabet around the edges.
  2. Join them in the centre with a split pin.
  3. Turn the inner wheel to set a code.
  4. Write a coded message and swap with a partner to decode.

You will need

  • card circles
  • split pins
  • pencils
  • alphabet templates
Make it easier or harderYounger children use picture codes, while older children create harder ciphers.
SafetyEducators push split pins through the card.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 5Children use logic and communicate through codes.

Fits these theme days

Spy SchoolDetective DayEscape Room DayPuzzle DayCoding Unplugged

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