How to Dye Wood Blocks (in 4 simple steps!)

Curious how to dye wood blocks with watercolor paint in 4 easy steps? You’re in the right place! You CAN make your own wooden Grimm’s rainbow blocks for STEAM activities and kid-friendly sensory play ideas! Step-by-step-instructions and pictures are included! {Kid-friendly}

Friends, I can’t lie. We had so much fun making our DIY Grimm’s Blocks a few years ago, we couldn’t wait to create another set. This time we tested different sizes of blocks and a whole new process. Psssst…we like this new process WAAAAAY better!

There are so many reasons to love this fun kid-friendly activity that you can do in your home. Let me count the ways:

• Science and art combined in one project. If you want integrated learning, you’re in the right place. From selecting colors and testing out the process (will it take you 4 steps or might you be done in 2?), there are countless ways to practice creativity, patience, and observation.
• You can stretch it out over a few days. Sometimes I need an activity that takes only 5 minutes. Other times, I need something I can stretch out over a few days to, honestly, fill time. Creating your own rainbow wood blocks is a great way to fill time without getting stuck in a complicated activity where everyone ends up in tears.
• The process is simple. You really do only need wood blocks, plastic baggies, aluminum foil (parchment or wax paper will also work), and liquid watercolors.
• Extended play opportunities. If you are big into DIY sensory play activities, STEAM play ideas, or open-ended playtime, these blocks are right up your alley! The girls made their blocks and once dried, ran off to play with them!
• Low cost. We ordered unfinished wood blocks online and paid a fraction of what we would pay elsewhere. The girls are also super-proud of their creation and because of that, are more willing to play with them!

So let’s get the creative juices flowing! It’s time to learn how to dye wood blocks in just a few short steps!

SUPPLIES TO MAKE YOUR OWN WOOD TOY BLOCKS:

There are lots of different ways to set up your workstation. I’ll share what we do when we dye wooden blocks for sensory play, and then I’ll share variations, too!

• Liquid watercolors. Although you can use food coloring, I really do highly suggest liquid watercolors for this. They are touted as stain-resistant to clothes. Your fingers will be stained for a day or two, but soap and water will do the trick over time. I do keep the liquid watercolors away from furniture, and we always wear grubby clothes when we dye our wood blocks. But the watercolors wash out of grout easily. 🙂
• Baking sheets, cookie sheets, or baking dishes. Depending on how many wooden blocks we dye at a time, we’ll use any and all of these at once!
• Aluminum foil. I love aluminum foil best because it doesn’t seem to suck the liquid watercolors out of the wood blocks. I also reuse the foil during round two of the dyeing process.
• Baggies. These were a lifesaver! I pour the liquid watercolors into the baggies, just enough to roll the blocks around in. This works better than pouring the liquid watercolors into small dishes, which is how we used to do it. By using baggies, we achieved deeper, more evenly-coated colors.

HOW TO DYE WOOD BLOCKS IN 4 EASY STEPS:

Depending on how your blocks absorb the liquid watercolors, and your own personal preference, you might complete this process in just TWO steps!

1. Pour liquid watercolors into a baggie. Then place the unfinished wood blocks inside the baggie. Seal the baggie and roll the wood blocks around until they absorb the liquid watercolors. Place the dyed blocks on a lined cookie or baking sheet. I like to line my baking sheets or pans with aluminum foil. You can also use parchment or wax paper.
2. Let dry overnight in a cool, dry place where the blocks won’t be disturbed.
3. The next day, place any blocks that need a second coat back in the baggies with liquid watercolors. I find that some blocks absorb well on the first try, and I’m done in two steps. Other blocks need a second coat, and then I’m done in four steps.
4. For blocks that need a second coat, remove them from the baggie and place them back on their respective baking sheets. Let them dry overnight for a total of 24 hours. Once they are dry, you can start playing with them.

DO THE BLOCKS NEED TO BE SEALED?

This is a personal preference. Home improvement stores carry sealant you can use to seal the liquid watercolors in place. We don’t seal ours. Every now and then a little liquid watercolor will get on our fingers, much like when using chalk, crayons, or markers. But we haven’t had any trouble beyond that. I can’t speak to whether sealant would protect blocks in the event they get wet. 

PRO TIPS AND EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

• You can pour unused liquid watercolors back in their original containers, if you’d like. But if that doesn’t work, you suspect you’ll need a second coat, or you combined colors, store the baggies full of liquid watercolors inside a larger baggie or grocery bag. Then use them again for round two! And if you still have leftovers, stay tuned because I have another project coming up that is PERFECT for leftover liquid watercolors. Nothing’s go to waste here!
• Mix and match liquid watercolors for additional color options. We stayed pretty true to basic colors this time. But you can mix red and purple for a deep color, blue and green for a teal color, and red, yellow, and orange for a dynamic orange color.
• For extended learning opportunities, dye a block, add another little bit of one color, dye another block, and compare the two. Talk about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Ask your children which colors they like best.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

• Uneven coloring. Sometimes the looks is attractive, definitely depending on the watercolor itself and whether you’ve combined colors. If you don’t like the coloring, a second coat may do the trick. Put fewer blocks in the baggie at a time and let the block soak up the color.
• Streaking and striations. This is really common, but not necessarily across all blocks. A second coat may do the trick. Same thing as above – put fewer blocks in the baggie and let the watercolor work its magic.

If you are in the mood for more sensory pay ideas and hands-on activities you can do at home with kids, then you’ll enjoy these recipes for fun!

• Rainbow Sensory Trays
• Homemade Easy Slime
• How to Make Fluffy Slime

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