A Language Arts & Science-Based Homeschool Activity
Looking for a fun and educational fall activity for your homeschool? Try out this hands-on language arts and science experiment using my free pumpkin printable! This activity combines creativity with science as your child uses invisible ink to write secret letters and then reveals them in a colorful and surprising way. Or you can practice have your children practice their language arts skills from learning letter recognition to word scrambles for old kids.
Here’s What You Need:
- My free pumpkin printable (download it here!)
- Baking soda
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Cotton Swabs
- Turmeric
- Rubbing alcohol (I used 50%, but use what you have)
How It Works:
- Create the Invisible Ink: Start by mixing a little baking soda with water. This will be your invisible ink. Use a cotton swab to write letters or draw inside the pumpkins on the printable. Let it dry completely.
- Reveal the Secret: Now for the fun part! Mix some turmeric powder with rubbing alcohol. A little bit of turmeric goes a long way, you don’t need a lot. Once your baking soda ink has dried, paint over the pumpkins with the turmeric mixture. Watch as the secret letters magically appear!
- Language Arts Practice: For toddlers through kindergarten, write the alphabet and let your child reveal the letters as part of their letter recognition and practice. Children can also practice spelling their name. For older children choose letters that create a word scramble, after they have revealed the letters have them unscramble them in a notebook or on a sheet of paper, let them see how many words they can come up with. HINT: the top 10 letters used in the English language are: A, E, I, O, H, L, N, R, S, and T.
The Science Behind It:
So, what’s happening here? It’s all thanks to a chemical reaction between the baking soda (a base) and the turmeric (a pH indicator). Baking soda, when dissolved in water, creates a basic solution. Turmeric, on the other hand, changes color when exposed to the baking soda. When you paint over the dried baking soda letters with the turmeric-alcohol mix, the base reacts with the turmeric, turning it a bright reddish-brown color—revealing the invisible ink!
Why This Matters:
This activity not only helps children work on their fine motor skills but also introduces them to basic chemical reactions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect art, language arts, science, and the excitement of discovery—all while celebrating the fall season with pumpkins!
Download the free printable, gather your materials, and get ready for some science-filled fun!
What are some of your favorite hands-on activities? Lets share ideas in the comments.
Enjoy this activity and tag me on Instagram, @herolds.at.home
