Kid-Friendly Craft Project: Tissue Paper Transfer Art

NOTE: This craft really only works with bleeding tissue paper, which releases dye when wet. I experimented with gift tissue paper and found that little to no colored transferred (as one would hope, to be honest, since you never want wrapping paper colors rubbing off on a gift you’ve packaged).

Cut the Tissue Paper to Size

Prepping for this project involves cutting your pieces of tissue paper to size. Make sure the area on which you’re cutting and storing those paper bits is completely dry so you don’t leach the color before the craft starts. Perhaps you’re aiming to spell out your child’s name, doing random shapes or letting your kid hone those fine motor skills. Have fun! Get rainbow-y.

Spray Your Craft Surface

With the bits of pre-cut paper out of the way, let your child wield the spray bottle and wet the surface of the paper or canvas. (This craft works well on both materials.)

Lay Out the Tissue Paper

Next, lay out the pieces of paper one by one onto the wet surface. The colors will bleed into each other a little bit, and it’s pretty. It’ll also temporarily stain your kid’s fingers, so you may want to keep some wet wipes on-site for mess management.

Spray the Surface Once More

A few more layers of mist atop the tissue paper design will help the color continue to dissipate, especially if part of the paper began to dry before all of the tissue paper was positioned.

Let the Artwork Dry

The color will continue to disperse and stain the paper or canvas until the water has completely evaporated, about 20 to 30 minutes. At that time, the tissue paper will fall away (and can be discarded) and you will be left with a pretty, swirly piece of art.

So easy!