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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Leave Messages for Hansel and Gretel

Leave Messages for Hansel and Gretel

Modified: Mar 18, 2025 · Published: May 21, 2020 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

In the story of Hansel and Gretel, the children leave stones and then breadcrumbs to find their way home, but the breadcrumbs get eaten, and the children end up in a witch’s house.

The idea of this science activity is to find a new way for Hansel and Gretel to leave a message or draw a map so they can find their way back home.

These Hansel and Gretel activity ideas are fantastic for younger children at home or school.

Hansel and Gretel cartoon  Image featuring the house made from sweets, two children and the witch

Secret Messages with Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is great for writing secret messages. Squeeze the juice from a lemon or lime and use a small paintbrush to write a message on paper. Pop the paper in a warm oven for a few minutes to reveal the writing.

Hansel and Gretel map made with lemon juice

If you don’t have lemon juice, lime juice or milk also works well!

Why does lemon juice turn brown

Lemon and lime juice react with oxygen ( they oxidise ), which makes them turn brown when heated!

Instead of a message, lemon juice can also be used to draw a secret map!

FREE Hansel and Gretel Secret Map Activity
Hansel and Gretel secret map science activity

Crayon Resist Messages

To write a crayon-resist message, you’ll need a white crayon and watercolour paints or wax crayons.

Draw a map or write a message using the white crayon ( you’ll need to press down hard ). To reveal the message, paint or crayon lightly over the top.

I need to create a better image for this one, but you get the idea.

Secret message made with a white crayon

More Hansel and Gretel Science Activities

Build a house made from sweets or a house made of gingerbread for the witch. One way to turn this into an investigation is to experiment with different types of sticky things to hold the pieces of the house together. Icing sugar, glucose syrup or even jam are good to try!

Build a candy house
Secret messages - Hansel and Gretel - collage of lemon juice secret messages - an activity to do while reading Hansel and Gretel

Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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