Tie Dye Shirts with kids

Have you ever tie dyed before? It's fun (and surprisingly simple) if you have the right tools and set up! Inside this post we'll share all about this simple wearable art activity that kids of all ages will love, from toddlers to adults!

Table of Contents:

1. Want to tie dye shirts with kids? Check out these simple tips!
2. Materials needed for Tie Dye Shirts
3. Instructions for Tie Dying
4. Fun Tie Dye Variation
5. More Art ideas for Kids!

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Want to tie dye shirts with kids? Check out these simple tips!

I learned these easy to follow tips from my favorite local preschool and I’ve tried them with hundreds of kids! You will love them!

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Materials needed for Tie Dye Shirts

• Spray bottle of water (or bin of water to dunk in)
• Big bucket
• Dye in squeeze bottles (I use Tulip dye for groups and Rit dye if I'm doing a single color). This Tulip Block Party kit is great for a group or kids.
• Rack (I use my cookie cooling rack 😆)
• Rubber bands
• White t-shirt (Walmart one’s are cheap!)
• Zip close bag

Using a rack over a big bucket is a game changer! It keeps the dye contained and makes this a low mess activity! Always a bonus when you're creating with kids!

Instructions for Tie Dying

• Use rubber bands to tie up the shirt in whatever design you want. We usually do spiral, but sometimes we just squeeze it in a ball with no rubber bands and go for it. Tulip has lots of YouTube tutorials for any style you like.
• Prep the dye bottles according to the instructions.
• Spray your shirts with water (or dunk them)
• Put the rack on the bucket
• Stick your shirt on the rack.
• Squirt the dye on the shirts OVER the bucket (I only give kids 3 colors- red, yellow, blue).
• Flip the shirt over and squirt more dye. Use more/less dye depending on how colorful you want your shirt to be.

We like to dye shirts on the grass or over a surface that is ok to get a little stained! Make sure kids wear old clothes when they're tie dying so they don't ruin anything they love.

• Stick the shirt in a zip close bag for 24 hours.
• Take off rubber bands and rinse off excess dye from the shirt with cold water.
• Wash and dry following the shirt instructions (I usually do these each separately, but sometimes I combine 2-3 in one wash).

Now your shirt is ready to wear!!

*Pro Tip from a follower: Add a Shout color catcher for the first few washes so that you trap any loose dye.

Fun Tie Dye Variation

Tie Dye batik shirts are a neat variation on traditional tie dying! Check out how to do this glue batik style tie dye shirts here.

More Art ideas for Kids!

Need more simple art ideas for kids? Check out our list of 65+ Toddler Art Activities!

Have you tie dyed with kids before? Any other tips you’d add? Have any questions? Tell me about it in the comments.