daily activities
DAY 1
History’s Mysteries
Secret Codes + Languages
Secret codes have been used for centuries to protect some of our world’s greatest mysteries. They’ve signaled for help and kept top-secret information confidential. But did you know that modern-day codebreaking was developed during World War II—and that women and Native Americans were leaders in cracking codes? Today, you'll learn some of their secrets and even try some code-making of your own.
what you’ll need
A computer, tablet, or mobile phone and access to the internet
- Paper
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
FOR PARENTS
Ask About Today
Can you tell me about the codebreakers of World War II? What did you learn?
Dinner Discussion
What are some of the unique ways our family communicates, or “codes” we use when we talk to each other?
Skip the Ads
Unfortunately, online videos often start with short advertisements. Remind your campers to click the "Skip" button as soon as they can to move ahead to the video.
explore
30-60 minutes
Before you can become a master of code-making and codebreaking, you’ll need to understand some of the roots of secret codes in our modern times. Start with these short videos to learn about the history of codebreaking.
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For younger explorers
create
15-45 minutes
Secret codes, also known as ciphers, have been used for thousands of years. It's time to make your own.
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Make a Cipher
Julius Caesar, the Roman general and ruler, used a simple substitution cipher. He substituted each letter with the letter three places further along in the alphabet. So “A” was replaced with “D,” “B” was replaced with “E,” and so on. (For example, “HELLO” would be written as “KHOOR.”)
Create a substitution cipher using Caesar’s rules (or your own), then try sending a message to your family. For example, what do you want for dessert tonight? Tell your family using your cipher and see if they can figure it out.
Pro Tip:
Write out all the letters of the alphabet on one line, and then write your substitutions underneath. And remember, you don’t have to use just letters. You can use numbers and symbols, too!
For younger explorers
Code Your Own Message
The Navajo Code Talkers were US Marines who created a code based on their native language to keep military secrets during World War II. The Navajo language was a difficult language to learn, and very few people outside Navajo lands spoke it. The Navajo Code Talkers played a key role in the United States’ victory over Japan. Their code was never broken.
Can you decode the message in the picture above using this code with numbers and letters?
A = 1 B = 2 C = 3 D = 4
E = 5 F = 6 G = 7 H = 8
I = 9 J = 10 K = 11 L = 12
M = 13 N = 14 O = 15 P = 16
Q = 17 R =18 S = 19 T = 20
U = 21 V = 22 W = 23 X = 24
Y = 25 Z = 26
read
15-30 minutes
Learn more about some of the most famous codes—and codemakers—in modern history.
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For younger explorers
play
30 minutes
The world’s best cryptologists probably like to keep their brains sharp by playing word games. Why not try it?
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For younger explorers
move
30-60 minutes
What if you had to make a secret code or language with no letters or numbers...only body movements?
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more to explore
45-60 minutes
Can't get enough codes? Explore some more!
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