Tie and dying is a fun activity that everyone loves! Explore the various things you can make by checking out these fun Tie Dye Projects for Kids and Teens!

When I was a kid, I used to see tourists sporting tie dye t shirts and I used to think about the person who must have painstakingly painted every stroke. It’s only when I grew up that I realized that tie dye is a LOT easier than I thought!

Did you know that every region has their own kind of tie and dye? In fact, I never realized that Japanese Shibori and Indian Bandhani or Ikat are actually versions of tie dye! Looks like this is quite an international art!

So let’s go ahead and celebrate this global phenomenon with something that screams summer- tie dye projects! There’s enough to choose from, and make great weekend projects for kids and teens – and even adults!

10 Tie Dye Projects for Kids and Teens

1. Baby Wipes Tie Dye Art

Moms know the true value of baby wipes – they can do anything short of surgery and we can’t do without them! However, here’s an overlooked use of baby wipes – art! Check out the instructions at I Can Teach My Child for a beginner tie dye art project with baby wipes.

2. Tie Dye Summer Tote Bag

Plain canvas tote bags are everywhere, especially with stores doing away with plastic bags. But that doesn’t mean you have to tote a boring bag around! Revamp your plain bag by tie dying, like this one at Consumer Crafts Blog.

3. Personalized Tie Dye Beach Towel

Constantly losing your towel at the beach or have kids fighting over which one’s theirs? Get rid of all the confusion with a brightly colored tie dye beach towel – complete with a name personalization! Get the instructions to make this at Kids Activities Blog.

4. Glow in the Dark Tie Dye Shirt 

If you’re ever planning a glow in the dark party or have to attend one, be sure to make and wear this tie dye t shirt from Growing a Jeweled Rose! This project makes use of neon sharpies, and is something the kids are sure to love doing!

5. Nature Resist Tie Dye Shirts

Tie Dying isn’t all about paints and synthetic materials; The Pinterested Parent shows us how to turn it into a nature activity! Let the kids collect rocks and leaves on a nature walk, and use them to create a resist on a t shirt.

6. Rainbow Tie Dye Shoes

We can’t get over how amazing these shoes from Tie Dye your Summer look! Just a little bit of care will ensure a neat finish. This project is ideal for canvas shoes like Converses.

7. Tie Dye Fabric Jewelry

Once you’ve got the hang of tie dying larger items like shirts and scarves, you can go ahead and fine tune your skills by making jewelry. Dollar Store Crafts has a fun project that shows us how to upcyle an old cotton shirt to make cute, vacation-theme jewelry.

8. Coffee Filter Tie Dye Butterflies Craft

How cute are these butterflies from Meaningful Mama! Tie Dye is a great idea for the wings, reminding us of the natural color of butterfly wings. googly eyes, pipe cleaner antenna and wooden pegs complete these critters!

9. Sharpie Watercolor Scarf

Want to add an element of Tie Dye to your outfit but don’t want to go with a full blown tie dye t shirt? No problem, just try a Tie Dye scarf, like this one form An Inspired Mess!

10. Tie Dye Shells with Sharpie Markers

What else reminds you of summer other than tie dye? Seashells!! Let’s mix the two in this cute project by tie dyeing white shells with colored sharpies. Color Made Happy shows us how to do this, and these make great souvenirs for friends from your beach vacation!

I’m sure you find that tie dye projects are easier than you thought! If you liked these, you may also like other traditional art activities like Madhubani, Warli or Gond. Let’s get artsy with tie dye this summer!