How to Make Scratch Off Messages

Last week was National Random Acts of Kindness Day. In honor of National Random Acts of Kindness Day, we decided to make some scratch off messages for each other. This was another idea we actually had for Valentines for our classmates but decided to make our Crayon Hearts instead.

6 pieces of card stock painted black, green, and purple. Hidden messages written in crayons that the paint was scratched to reveal. One black says shh. Another black says scratch off secret messages. Another black rainbow background. A green with a rainbow, a green with popsicles, and a purple with people and message I'm so lucky to be your daughter.

A photo of cardstock painted black with a mix of acrylic paint and dish soap. Yellow paintbrush in a white palette with black paint. Dish soap and black acrylic paint in the background. Creating a Scratch Off Message.

Supplies

How Does it Work?

So, why can you scratch off acrylic paint mixed with dish soap? The reason that this works is that the dish soap acts as a lubricant and reduces the acrylic paint’s resistance to scratching. This allows the underlying surface to be revealed when scratched by a sharp object. The soap effectively weakens the paint’s binding properties, making it easily removable in specific areas.

Soap acts as a disruption to the paint binder. The binder is the component that holds the pigment particles together. This makes the pain become more fragile and prone to scratching. The soap also creates a lubricant to create a more slippery layer. This in turn reduces the friction, making it easier to scratch off the top layer.

How to Make Scratch Off Messages

This was a fun activity. We started out by making messages for each other on pieces of card stock. For my oldest, she wrote messages to her siblings and others she loves. My younger kiddos drew pictures of things they felt that siblings and others enjoy. For example, my oldest wrote me a message “I am so lucky to be your daughter” with a drawing of her and I together. One of my other kiddos drew a picture of a snake for their dad. And my preschooler drew pictures of herself with the people she loves. My toddler drew scribbles.

Color card stock with crayons.
- Draw pictures, write messages, be creative.
Mix dish soap and acrylic paint.
- We used a 2:1 ratio – acrylic paint to dish soap.
Coat the card stock with a thick layer of paint.
Allow it to dry completely.
Scratch off and find the hidden messages!

One kid scratching off scratch off messages: purple painted card stock with a hidden message.

After our messages were drawn and together, we picked some acrylic paint. They all picked different colors: purple, pink, orange, green, and black. As it turns out, learn from our mistake, pick a dark color. Our orange and pink were able to be seen through with darker crayons. While frustrating, it still made for a fun activity! In the end, everyone was able to receive a message of love and kindness and we celebrated National Random Acts of Kindness Day!!

More fun science experiments: rescuing animals, leaf prints, and snow in a jar.