How to Teach Children to Tie-Dye With Berries
- 1). Pour 4 cups of water in a pot. Add 1/4 cup of alum, which is sold at most craft stores. Help the kids measure the ingredients and allow them to do the stirring.
- 2). Stir in 2 cups of berries. If you want to tie-dye with multiple colors, repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each type or color of berry.
- 3). Boil the berries for 20 minutes. After the berries have cooled, strain the liquid using a coffee filter. Pour the liquid in an empty squeeze bottle. Children may help by stirring the berries once or twice while they're boiling, but it's best if you pour the boiling water so it doesn't get spilled.
- 4). Roll up the fabric you want to dye and wrap rubber bands around different sections to create your desired pattern. Teach the kids how to create various patterns based on where they place the rubber bands. Experiment with some scrap cloth first to see how your rubber band placement affects the final pattern.
- 5). Set the fabric on a plastic table cover. Newspaper can be used, but be aware that the dye may soak through and stain your table.
- 6). Show the children how to squirt the homemade berry dye over the parts of the clothing they wish to dye. You may want to wear a pair of plastic gloves while doing this as the dye can stain your fingers. Have the kids wear gloves too.
- 7). Set your tie-dyed clothing item aside until it completely dries. This may take up to 24 hours. When the item is dry, let the kids remove the rubber bands to reveal the new design.
- 8). Rinse the clothing item in cold water and hang out to dry before allowing the children to wear it for the first time.
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