HENNA and Tie Dye

Henna is a good way to learn about the Indian culture and Multi-Cultural Art.
You can by a Henna Kit at Walmart or on Amazon. These kits include all that you need to do Henna Tattoos. All you need after that is your hand or foot. Hands and feet are the most effect places to put your Henna Tattoo because of the oils that are in your skin there.

Here are a bunch of designs that people have done, but feel free to make something else or find another example online that sparks your interest.


Steps:

1. Follow the directions of how to make the Henna on the package
2. Make a design on your hand or foot
3. After the design becomes dry to the touch, dab very softly with a cotton swab that has a mixture of lemon juice and sugar (the mixture should be fairly thick)
4. Leave the henna on for at least 2-4 hours before you peel it off it should look like this:

1. Don't wash with soap or water for at least 12 hours. The longer you leave it, the darker it will be.
2. When the Henna has settled in to your skin, it should be a brownish color like this

Tie Dye has been around for thousands of years and it is believed that it came from Japan. You can read more here about the history of Tie Dye. This would be a great way to incorporate a history lesson into an activity with your kids. During this discussion about history and culture, ask kids what are some things that we do in our culture that demonstrate art? Cooking? Sewing? Photography? Try some of these things out too!

Here, here, or here you will find good instructions on how to make your tie dye. There are many different kinds you can do so there is room to experiment.

My finished tie dye:

Other Tie Dye Examples:

I thought this is a fun way to make a tie dye cake!