We had an unexpectedly large group (84!) of wannabe secret agents at our Spy Kids Training this past Monday, September 12, but that just made the fun even bigger. We started by creating official photo IDs using construction paper, the miracle of double-stick tape, and some high-tech from 1990: the Polaroid camera. Then we added official metal badges. We were now a room full of card-carrying secret agents. Next, we each placed our hands into a cup full of adjectives, then one containing nouns. The result: super funny code names, which we used to speak to each other all night. Here's a sampling:
1. Smelly Refrigerator
2. Brainy Sweater
3. Mushy Eagle

The next three activities focused on making and breaking codes. We mastered three different codes: the Caesar Shift Code, the Anagram, and the Greek Code Box. The codes were definitely challenging, and as it turns out, time consuming. We had to cut one of our activities and dive straight into our final spy test: the Laser Grid. Check out these pics of our agents in action. We finished the evening with door przes. Twelve lucky spy kids were able to start their new careers in espionage with sunglasses that use mirrors to help them always keep an eye on their target.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this Tween Scene event such a success, especially Wendy (who found the Laser Grid idea online) and our library intern Stuart (who helped make the Laser Grid a reality and served as my sidekick during the actual event). If you missed the party but want to learn more about spies and codes, head to the Kid Zone nonfiction section: 327.12 and 652.8.

Stay tuned for more information about our October Tween Scene event: Lego Monster Lab.