Supplies:

• Tote bags, scrunchies, cotton t-shirts, cotton pajamas, etc.
• Tie dye powder
• Plastic bottles
• Water
• Large plastic bags
• Cling wrap or large plastic tarp
• Scissors
• Rubber bands
• Disposable gloves

Prep/ Set Up Details:

• Prepare all tie dye materials
• Have extra cleaning supplies ready to go
• Have markers or food coloring and q-tips available for younger kids as a modification, if they need it
• Set this activity up outdoors if you can - if not, line the crafting table with plastic or a disposable tablecloth to keep your space clean

Activity Instructions:

1. When CAMPers are situated at their seats, welcome everyone!
2. Introduce yourself and any other Counselors assisting the activity
3. Give a brief overview of what to expect and show CAMPers a completed “demo” or what the final product of this craft can look like
4. Start with a damp material
5. Pinch from the center and twist!
6. Use rubber bands to tie your twisted material, criss-crossing the rubber bands
7. Put on plastic gloves
8. Apply the dye to each section of your material on both sides
9. Put your tie dye creation into a plastic bag and let it sit for 6-8 hours
10. Remove rubber bands to reveal your masterpiece!
11. Wash your new tie dye creation by hand with hot water and let it fully dry
12. Repeat this process until you have 3 hand-made tie-dye creations!

Folded technique:

1. Fold: Fold the t-shirt 3 times vertically and 3 times horizontally so you are left with a small square
2. Tie: Tie 4 rubber bands - 2 vertically and 2 horizontally - to create a grid or “tic-tac-toe”
3. Put on your plastic gloves
4. Dye: Put on your plastic gloves and apply the dark colors into three vertical stripes on the t-shirt, switching off colors for each section
5. Flip your piece and repeat the dye pattern on the other side
6. Make sure the dye is applied into the folds (*try not to over-apply dye too close to each other)
7. Carefully lift up the bundle, keeping flat so colors do not run. Give your piece a squeeze to help the dye seep all the way through! ‍

Twisted technique:

1. Slowly twist in any direction and keep twisting until your piece is in a bundle
2. Tie: Use rubber bands to hold your twisted t-shirt in place - you can criss-cross the rubber bands, creating triangular sections (looks like a pizza!) that you will soak in dye
3. Put on your plastic gloves
4. Dye: Put on your plastic gloves and apply the dark colors into three vertical stripes on the t-shirt, switching off colors for each section. Then flip your shirt and repeat the dye pattern on the other side.
5. Make sure the dye is applied into the folds (*try not to over-apply dye too close to each other)
6. Carefully lift up the bundle, keeping flat so colors do not run.
7. Give your piece a squeeze to help the dye seep all the way through!

Activity Flow:

• 30 mins before - Counselor prep
• 5 mins before - Doors open
• Right on time - Activity begins
• 5 mins - Icebreaker game
• 10 mins - Begin activity 
• 15 mins - Continue activity
• 10 mins - Game based on activity
• 5 mins - Wrap-Up / Goodbyes
• 10 mins after - Reset

Adapt By Age:

Ages 3-5

• Close supervision
• Ask what their favorite colors are!
• Encourage them to choose 2-3 colors tops to avoid colors bleeding together too much 
• Share simple painting or coloring techniques
• Tie each project to a storytelling experience

Ages 6+

• Encourage kids to create a more intricate pattern paying attention to primary and secondary colors
• Use samples as inspiration & guidance
• Challenge with artistic techniques and new layers of decor the older and older they get!
• Encourage older kids to assist younger kids