How to Tie-Dye with Kids: 3 Fun Patterns

 

Tie-dye is a great project for kids; it is inexpensive and a lot of fun, and it allows kids to be really creative. This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to tie-dye a t-shirt three different ways with your kids.

Supplies

First you will need the essential supplies, and you have two options to choose from. You can buy a tie-dye kit at your local craft store, or you can gather your own items for tie-dying. The items you will need are newspaper, all purpose dye in fuchsia, yellow, and turquoise, rubber bands, squirt bottles, plastic bags, and gloves.

Getting Prepared

Start by covering your work table in newspaper. If you are using a store bought kit you can now mix together the soda ash and water in a bucket. You can also mix together the colors of dye and fill the squirt bottles. For more defined designed you should wet the t-shirt prior to adding the rubber bands, but remember to wring it out well.

Patterns

To create a lined pattern pleat your shirt by folding it back and forth, but remember if you pleat it vertically your lines will appear horizontally and vice-versa. Kids will find this design easy, and you can help them add rubber bands at various points along the folded shirt.

For a spiral pattern you must start by pinching the center of the shirt. Next spin the point that you have pinched until the rest of the shirt is wrapped around it in a disk shape. This disk shape can then be wrapped in rubber bands to help keep its form.

A simple circle pattern can be created by pinching sections of the shirt and wrapping the rubber bands around it. This may be the easiest pattern for children, and its abstract results are a lot of fun.

Soaking, Dyeing, and Curing

Now that your t-shirts are all wrapped up in rubber bands you can add the dye using the squirt bottles. If you are using a kit remember to soak the shirt in the soda ash water mix for 10 minutes prior to dyeing. After the color has been applied wrap the item in a plastic bag for at least 4 hours to cure.When the shirt has cured you can wash it in the washer machine to remove excess dye, and your tie-dye shirt is complete. This simple project is a fun way to allow kids to explore their creativity while learning about color and having fun!

Space Themed Party Games for Kids

 

Space is a mysterious and interesting thing to kids and adults, and it makes a wonderful theme for a child's birthday party. There are many fun games you can play with kids at a space party, and this article will provide you with detailed instructions for three fun space themed party games for kids.

Space Trivia

A fun and challenging space themed party game is Space Trivia; for this party game you will need a couple bells, paper, pens, and star stickers. Before the party you should pick some categories with space in mind. Planets, stars, and astronauts are all good topics; once you have chosen topics find out interesting information about them and print out several fact sheets. Place these fact sheets around the house before the party, and inform kids about the game and the facts beforehand so they can look at them if they like.

Before you start the game gather all of the space fact sheets, and organize the kids into groups. Start this game by announcing the categories and letting kids decide what group goes first. The let first group pick a topic and announce a question. The first group to ring their bell gets to answer. The first group to get the answer correct gets a star sticker, and the group, with the most stickers, wins a prize at the end of this party game.

Find Earth

Another fun party game with a space theme is Find Earth. Prepare for this kid's party game by printing out several images of Earth and gluing them to pieces of cardboard; trim the excess cardboard and hide the planets around the home before the party guests arrive.

When the kids are ready to play this party game instruct them to search for Earth, and the winner will be the child who finds the most planets. The winner of this space game can get a prize or be the lucky kid to hide the Earth cut outs again. This space themed party game is fun for kids, and it is easy for parents to prepare for.

Pin the Ring on Saturn

Put a space themed twist on the classic party game, "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", by changing the donkey to Saturn and the tail to a ring. Prepare for this party game by drawing several planets into a large piece of cardboard. Kids can help color in the space scene too. You will also need to cut out several rings that will fit on Saturn.

For this space party game you will also need a scarf for a blindfold and tape for the rings. Place a small piece of tape on the ring and blindfold the first kid to play. Spin the kid around, and everyone will enjoy watching each kid take a turn taping the ring on Saturn. The closest kid is the winner.

Prizes

There are many fun prizes for a space themed party that kids will love. Glowing stars and planets, astronaut ice cream, alien toys, milk way candy bars, and other space themed items are perfect for a space themed party.

Try these fun party games with your kids, and your space party will be a hoot!