Activities For Kids

Make story time even more fun with easy, handmade bookmarks! Create colorful tie-dyed bookmarks with paper towels and food coloring.

What you'll need:

• Bounty® paper towels
• Food coloring
• Shallow containers to hold dyes (glass or plastic,
  big enough to hold a 4” x 3” paper packet)
• Clear, self-adhesive Con-Tact® paper
• Scissors
• Newspaper
• Clips to hang up your paper towel to dry
• Yarn, twine, or other embellishments (optional)

Directions:

1. Fold a single square sheet of Bounty in half. Then fold it into accordion pleats until it forms a single strip. Fold the single strip into accordion pleats. Bend the folded, pleated strip into squares, rectangles, or triangles. Experiment with different folds to achieve interesting designs.
2. Mix the food coloring with water in the containers you’re using.
3. Choose any corner of the packet and dip it into one color of the dye. The paper towel will absorb quickly, so don’t leave paper in the dye long. When you’re satisfied with that corner, blot the area with a paper towel. To squeeze out more excess water, place your packet in a clean paper towel, put it between newspaper pieces on the floor, and step on it gently.
4. Repeat this process with the next color and with each color you plan to use. You can allow new colors to seep into existing colors, or leave some white areas between them. Blot and press between each dip to remove excess water.
5. When your design is complete, unfold your bundle gently, and hang it up to dry. Handle your bundle carefully so it doesn’t tear.
6. When your paper towel is completely dry, trim it to the size bookmark you want. You might want to leave the towel folded to add some bulk.
7. Cut two sheets of Con-Tact paper to seal your bookmark front and back. Be sure to cut the Con-Tact paper a little bigger than your bookmark, to allow about a 1/2” clear border between your paper towel and the entire edge of the Con-Tact paper. The clear border will seal your bookmark in place.