Looking for a festive activity that combines art and science? These Colorful Sharpie & Alcohol Ornaments are a perfect holiday craft for kids and adults alike! Create unique, tie-dye-style decorations while exploring how simple chemical reactions work. It’s a fun and educational project to brighten up your Christmas tree!
DIY Tie Dye Ornaments with Sharpie and Alcohol
Did you know that rubbing alcohol can change how ink behaves? When applied to Sharpie ink or other permanent markers, the alcohol acts as a solvent, causing the colors to spread and blend. This forms vibrant, swirling patterns that resemble tie-dye!
💡 You can also explore how water-soluble markers behave with these coffee filter flowers!
Grade Level Recommendation: It is suitable for grades 1–6, but even early years professionals and caregivers can adapt it for younger children with supervision.
Ornament Supplies:
- Plastic milk or juice jugs (or vinegar jug, cleaned and dried)
- Sharpie markers (a variety of colors)
- Rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)
- Spray bottle or eyedropper for applying alcohol
- Scissors
- String or ribbon for hanging
- Hole punch
- Protective surface (newspaper or tablecloth)
💡 Tip: Use an opaque milk jug plastic for the best results.
Sharpie and Alcohol Ornament Instructions:
Prepare Your Plastic Canvas
- Cut pieces from a clean plastic jug into flat shapes (e.g., stars, snowflakes, circles). Use a stencil or pencil to trace shapes before cutting.
- Punch a hole at the top of each shape for hanging.
Design with Sharpies
- Let kids decorate the plastic shapes with Sharpie markers. Use bold patterns, gradients, or random designs—the brighter, the better!
The Rubbing Alcohol Trick
- Place the decorated pieces on a protective surface.
- Use a spray bottle or dropper to apply a light spritz of rubbing alcohol over the designs. Watch as the colors swirl and spread!
Layer and Customize
- Once dry, add another layer of colors and repeat the process for more depth. For extra sparkle, glue on glitter or sequins.
Assemble and Display
- Thread a ribbon or string through the hole, and hang your colorful ornaments on the tree or in a window!
Sharpie and Alcohol Science
Sharpie ink is a permanent marker ink, which is usually alcohol-based. When rubbing alcohol is applied to Sharpie ink, the alcohol acts as a solvent that dissolves the ink.
As the rubbing alcohol spreads, it pulls the dissolved ink pigments with it. This creates a spreading or bleeding effect, often leading to interesting patterns.
This movement is due to capillary action, where the rubbing alcohol travels across the surface and carries the dissolved ink. The alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving the ink pigments behind.
Adding rubbing alcohol to Sharpie ink is a physical change which involves dissolving, spreading, and evaporation. It creates visually striking effects as the alcohol spreads the ink.
Different application methods (e.g., brushes, eyedropper, or spray bottle) can alter the spreading pattern.
STEAM Connections:
- Science: Explore solubility, and evaporation.
- Art: Create one-of-a-kind designs with vibrant color combinations.
- Math: Discuss symmetry and geometry while cutting shapes.
- Technology & Engineering: Experiment with the best application methods for different effects.
More Science Christmas Ornaments to Make (STEAM)
💡 Find even more science Christmas ornaments here!
- Chemistry Ornament Project
- Jingle Bell Painted Christmas Ornaments
- Milk Vinegar Plastic Ornaments
- Binary code Candy Cane ornament
- 3d Printable Shape Ornaments
- Bioplastic Ornaments
- Light Up Circuit Ornaments
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- Christmas Screen-free Coding activities include algorithm games, binary code ornaments, and more!
- Explore 6+ Christmas Art Projects with famous artist-inspired activities that combine art history, process art techniques, and more with simple to-do ideas.
