Today we have the coolest sugar tie dye technique that makes creating colorful tie dye patterns super easy even for younger kids. Here at Kids Activities Blog we have been a little obsessed with tie dye patterns because they are fun crafts for kids of all ages that can be worn, displayed or shared as a gift.

Sugar Tie Dye Shirt shown on a table with colorful rainbow pattern of blue, green, yellow, orange, red and repeating colors - Kids Activities Blog
Let’s tie dye with sugar!

How to Make Sugar Tie Dye T-Shirts with Kids

Tie dye crafts are fun to make and are great personalized gifts kids can make for friends and relatives. I also love this craft for slumber parties or birthday parties because kids can take home their creations as a party favor.

We are making a tie dye t-shirt, but you could do this on tote bags, skirts, shoes and so many other fun tie dye items.

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Supplies Needed for Sugar Tie Dying

Sugar Tie Dye step by step 1-4 - kids activities blog- white shirt with sugar stripes, spray bottles, and gloves
Step by step instructions on how to tie dye a shirt using sugar!

Directions for Sugar Tie Dye Technique on T-Shirt

Step 1

Place cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the colors from bleeding through.

Step 2

Use a damp paper towel to outline your design onto the shirt. We made diagonal lines across the shirt.

Step 3

Sprinkle sugar along the damp design — anywhere the sugar is located, your shirt will remain white.

Sugar Tie Dye Shirt steps 3-4 sugar tie dye with sugar on shirts with spray bottles of tie dye- kids activities blog
Sprinkle the sugar and then spray your colors. The colors turn out so lovely!

Step 4

Follow the instructions on your tie dye kit to add color to the shirt. We used a spray kit to spray the color directly onto the shirt. It was so easy and I love how the colors turned out!

Step 5

Allow the colors to dry.

Sugar Tie Dye Shirt - kids activities blog- Steps 5 and 6- wash off the sugar and allow your tie die shirt to dry with rainbow tie dye
Allow the colors to dry on the shirt and then rinse off the sugar. Look how pretty your shirt looks!

Step 6

Rinse the sugar off in cold water and allow the shirt to dry. Be sure to set the colors if your tie dye kit requires it by following the kit instructions.

Sugar Tie Dye Shirt- kids activities blog- sugar tie dye craft white shirt rainbow striped tie dye shirt
It’s so colorful and fun! I love this sugar tie dye craft.

Easy & Colorful Sugar Tie Dye Technique for T-Shirts and More!

Image shows a white sugar tie dye shirt laying on the floor. From Kids activities blog

This sugar tie dye shirt is so easy to make, so lovely and colorful, budget-friendly, and great for kids of all ages particularly older kids like kindergarten kids.

Materials

  • White t-shirt – white cotton tshirts work best
  • Cardboard
  • Sugar
  • Tie Dye Kit (We used the Tulip one step spray tie dye kit)
  • Cold Water
  • Paper Towels

Instructions

    Place cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the colors from bleeding through.

    Use a damp paper towel to outline your design onto the shirt. We made diagonal lines across the shirt.

    Sprinkle sugar along the damp design — anywhere the sugar is located, your shirt will remain white.

    Follow the instructions on your tie dye kit to add color to the shirt. We used a spray kit to spray the color directly onto the shirt. It was so easy and I love how the colors turned out!

    Allow the colors to dry.

    Rinse the sugar off in cold water and allow the shirt to dry. Be sure to set the colors if your tie dye kit requires it by following the kit instructions.

More Tie Dye Fun from Kids Activities Blog

How did your sugar tie dye t-shirt turn out?



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1 Comment

  1. Where do I get the ingredients for the spray? I’m assuming it’s indelible so that the children should wear aprons or old clothing?