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The kids & I just made their Papa a fun AND PRACTICAL Father’s Day gift. It turned out great and was pretty easy.
I also had each kid make their own summer towels with their names or decorations of choice on them. They love them!
Here’s what we did:
We ordered a Tulip Spray Dye kit and 100% cotton white towels from Amazon.
I washed the towels in hot water and a residue-free detergent and then dried them.
We used painter’s tape and masking tape (Washi tape would probably be my choice if we do this again) to make designs and write names on our towels. I also used cereal boxes and a circle cutter to make stencils, and the kids used plastic lids as well.
I added warm water to the spray dyes, and my 7yo shook them to mix and placed them in a bucket to prevent spills during transport.
Once everyone was wearing rain boots, clothes for the mess, and plastic gloves, we went to the garage where I had spread out a huge tarp and placed the towels on top.
The kids took turns with the different colors and loved watching how the colors worked together as they sprayed.
We took off our protective gear and stomped on paper towels to make sure our boots didn’t track and waited.
An hour later, I flipped the color side face down and let it sit overnight (it needs to stay wet 6-8 hours).
By the next day, the towels were pretty dry, but we still put our boots and gloves back on to remove all the tape.
I put the towels in the dryer on high for 20 minutes to heat set the color, and then they went into the washer (hot) and dryer again.
They will need to be washed separately the first few times, but all in all I’m really pleased with the outcome, and the kids were really proud of their creations too.
We had so much color left over that the next project is already drying in the garage. 🙂
Oh – and the science and motor skills (especially hand strengthening) involved in this project! Double win!
Enjoy! And share any ideas you have as well!
Happy creating!
Wonderschooling 
Did you do anything to the other side of the towel?
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Hi Barbara,
We didn’t spray the other side. The colors bleed a bit, so if you did spray the 2nd side, try to match it to the front.
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Hi Heather, thank you for this wonderful idea. I found the spray dye kit at Joanne Fabrics. Bought 4 more cotton towels. So, we are set, so I thought!
I hadn’t read the instructions completely and hadn’t thought this through enough. We will not have time to do everything today and we are leaving for a week at Cedar Lake tonight. But, daughter to the rescue, she is willing to follow through and finish up the project. Yea! This afternoon I’ll have all 5 girlies here and we’ll adventure into the world of spray paint. I’m expectant!
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