Summer is Hot… and so is Tie Dye!

{This post contains affiliate links.}

Whether you are teaching summer school, working at a summer camp, continuing homeschool through the summer months or just trying to keep your kids occupied while they’re on vacation, finding inexpensive, fun and worthwhile summer arts and crafts projects can sometimes be a challenge.

Each year, I try to do a tie dye project at home or at summer school. Tie dye is easy, can be very inexpensive to do, and allows you to use the outdoors as your classroom. For teachers (and parent-educators) working with students with disabilities, tie dye projects offer many benefits:

Small motor activity, with all that twisting, wrapping and rubber band work…
Practice following written and/or oral directions in order…
An opportunity to work on patience (with all the waiting)…
Art therapy…
A chance to talk about safety and health (while working with rubber gloves and dyes)…
Cooperative learning activity for kids who need practice working with others.

Read on for directions on how to tie dye a shirt (the directions would apply to any item, really).

How to Tie Dye

Step 1. Use any tie dye kit from your local art and craft store. We purchased a small kit, but you can get a party-sized one if you are inviting the neighbors.
Step 2. Prepare your (outdoor!) work area. You’ll need plastic wrap, gallon sized ziploc bags, LOTS of rubber bands and paper towels.
Step 3. Tie your shirts and start to dye them! We used old white shirts that needed new life, but you can start with plain cotton Ts, if you like.
Step 4. Continue applying dye until your shirt is covered. Did I mention to wear gloves? They will come with your kit. Make sure your rubber bands are tight-tight-tight – this is what creates the pattern.
Step 5. Wrap and wait. Follow your kit directions about additives, how long to wait, and how to rinse. Here’s where kids practice patience…
Step 6. After you rinse out your shirts, hang them outside to dry. Didn’t they come out great?
One of the finished products, as modeled by its creator! {All images in this gallery: (c) Kim M. Bennett, 2012}

Links to Tie Dye Supplies

You can buy tie dye supplies at any art supplies store, or in the arts and crafts section of your local department store. For your convenience, here are links to the products mentioned in this post.