I’ve done a lot of crafts with my boys. As you may have guessed. And I get a lot of crazy ideas. Which you may have guessed by now. In fact, I do have a way of saying, “Ok, I have an idea!” My children are used to it. My co-teacher just rolls with it. My senior teacher’s assistant last year would get a look of horror on her face. Which, to be honest, is fair.
Guys, I have a Poet-tree in my classroom.
I compiled a surprisingly short list of things that I’ve dyed over the years. I used food dye for most of them. Usually mixed with water. I let them soak in plastic cups and then set them on paper plates or trays with foil or wax to dry. These are good for texture crafts. Or just letting your kid put down glue and sprinkle it on.
Things I’ve dyed for the boys to use in art projects:
1. Sand (water and food dye)
2. Rice (water or rubbing alcohol and food dye. When the boys were small and I thought they would eat it, I did water and food dye.)
3. Salt (food dye. Don’t mix with your hands. It takes a long time to get off your hands.)
4. Egg shells (food dye and vinegar or egg-dying tables and water and vinegar. I’ve dyed empty shells with a hole in them. I’ve dyed egg shell halves. I’ve dyed crushed egg shell pieces.)
5. Dried pasta (food dye and water. I hear food dye and vinegar works as well, but when I dyed them, I was sure the boys would eat it. Also you could just by colored pasta because that’s a thing.)
6. Coffee filters (This is the markers and water, but I have made them for other crafts and not just for science, so I’m counting it.)
7. Sea shells (This didn’t go over as well. I should try it again. Food dye and water. Don’t use vinegar. I ended up painting them.)
8. Flour clay. Vinegar. Baking soda. Honestly I’ve dyed so many things. A dress…. that didn’t work out and wasn’t for a craft/
More ideas to come. Stay safe! Stay sane!
Faemom 
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