Summer is the time to get the kids outside and involved in outdoor activities. These craft ideas are perfect for tweens, as they require careful planning to make sure the end result is satisfactory, and provide loads of fun. Some adult supervision may be required for certain projects.
Easy T-Shirt Tye Dye
Materials:
- Food coloring, primary colors
- Basic white T-shirt, one per child (polyester/cotton blend works best)
- 3 cups water, room temperature
- 3 cups white vinegar
- Large rubber bands
- Empty, clean condiment bottles
- Salt
- Plastic bag
Directions:
- Fill the condiment bottles with food coloring and water, using a different bottle for each color. Make the colors dark for best results.
- Soak the T-shirt in a mixture of water and vinegar for about 10 minutes. Remove the T-shirt and wring it out.
- Twist the T-shirt at certain areas and secure with rubber bands. This will create patterns when the food coloring is applied.
- Squirt colors onto the T-shirt with the condiment bottles.
- Place the T-shirt in a plastic bag and put the bag somewhere warm like directly in sunlight or near a big lamp. Let the bag sit for at least eight hours in this warm place.
- Fill a tub with cold water and add salt. Stir the salt around until it is dissolved. Place the T-shirt in this salty water and stir around. This will set the dye.
- Wash the T-shirt as usual, and it is ready to wear.
Tip: Using food coloring is a safe alternative from typical dyes used. Keep in mind that food coloring will fade over time, but the immediate results are usually fantastic.
Homemade Flip-Flops
Yes, guys can make them, too!
Materials:
- Chunky foam for base of the flip-flops
- Fabric strips
- Scissors
- Utility knife
- Pencil
- Hot glue gun, low temperature
- Decorative items
Directions:
- Outline the shape of each foot onto the chunky foam. An adult should cut around these shapes using a utility knife, and cut about an eighth of an inch out from the pencil outline. This gives the tween some border for the flip-flops. The adult should also use the utility knife to place a tiny pinhole where the strap will go through in the toe area, as well as two slits where the strap will be glued into the flip-flops on each side. The slits should go on the top base of the flip-flops, and not into the sides.
- Measure and cut straps for the flip-flops. Make sure there is enough room for the strap to go through the pinhole plus one inch to be glued down to the underside of the flip-flop. There should also be enough room for the strap to move a little bit when walking, so there is not too much tension on the strap once it is secured. Test lengths of the straps before doing any gluing.
- Glue down the part of the strap that goes through the pinhole. Now glue in the sides of the straps. Be sure to squeeze the sides together so the strap is adhered well.
- Tweens can now decorate the straps any way desired with decorative items, if desired.
Tip: Tween boys can find fabric in camouflage designs and neutral colors to make flip-flops.
Tweens can have a lot of fun making homemade items such as these. There are plenty of other summer crafts and homemade craft ideas on Suite101 as well.
Find more Parenting Tweens articles on Suite101.
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