10 Awesome Things To Do With Kool-Aid This Summer

Momma Told Me: Be careful, you're going to stain something!

Those who know me know I love color- it simply makes me giddy to see bright hues playing together in food, fabric, or real life. And, I wouldn't be much of a living rainbow if I didn't include a roundup of this Summer's hottest Kool-Aid related projects, would I? I still have fond memories of drip-dying my best friends hair and making homemade 'pixi-stix' with the powdered packets found at the grocery store. Of course, Kool-Aid has come a long way since those days, with countless specialty flavors and even formats, but I'd be remiss if I didn't offer you a smattering of deliciously fruity recipe and project ideas using these little packets that usually sell for just $.20 at my local Walmart.

10. You can dye nearly anything with Kool-Aid- But did you know there are amazingly crafty people who have calculated how many (sugar free) servings of each packet you should make per 2 quarts of water. Naturally, there are a few techniques you can use to increase the vibrancy of your results and prolong the color's hold. Dying in boiling water and with  vinegar rinse are among some of the most common tips; but you will want to do some research based on your fabric type, first.

9. Tie-Dying with Kool-Aid is a fun and deliciously smelly project for any age. There are a slew of home decor projects showing up with everything from outdoor pillow cushions and sarongs to classic t-shirts and braided headbands. If you can dream it, you can probably make it when you roll, twist and dip fabrics in Kool-Aid. One of my favorite ideas, shown in the round-up, are tie-dyed ombre stockings, especially great for old nylons and costumes.

8. On the topic of dying, Kool-Aid is considered so safe for coloring professional groomers use it for holidays and shows. If you're dyeing (pun intended) to know the secret to locking in a streak or pouf of color with a squirming dog, it's pet safe conditioner. I've yet to try this popular trick, but it seems washing your pooch and drying to just damp is the perfect pre-treatment for a powder Koo-Aid-conditioner coloring. Just remember, as always when using Kool-Aid packets to dye, leave out the sugar!

7. Transform playtime with kid-safe homemade play-dough using Kool-Aid for fragrance and coloring. Not only is Kool-Aid a great way to spruce up the classic 1C Flour, 1/4C Salt, 2/3C Water, and 1 TBS Oil play-dough recipe, but it adds an extra sensory element of scent kids are sure to love.

6.) Kool-Aid makes for great color and flavor when baking. Add a packet of your favorite Kool-Aid to a basic white boxed cake mix, or tub of vanilla frosting and you're sure to get compliments about the unique rich and fruity turnout. Play with flavors and colors in sugar cookies to make mulch-colored desserts destined for big smiles.

5.)Drink it. You didn't think I forgot about the most essential function of this fruit punch drink, did you? You can spruce up pre-made Kool-Aid in a variety of ways, from freezing it in ice cube molds and adding it to seltzer water, to cut back on sugar, or serving it with fresh sliced fruit on ice, as a delicious mocktail.

4.) Make 3 ingredient lip gloss tweens will love to create at sleepovers or birthday parties. Take the traditional Vaseline base and color/flavor it with Kool-Aid packets, but be sure to add a sweetener, such as honey, to make it less bitter.

3.) Try a science experiment- Make Kool-Aid Rock Candy with some boiling sugar water, Kool-Aid packets, twine, clothespins, and mason jars. This is a great Summer project kids will love to watch, while building patience, lots of patience!

2.) If Popsicles are so 90's, crank it up a notch with homemade Kool-Aid slushes, or go a step further and build your own Purple Cow Kool-Aid Float. If you have a home ice-cream maker handy you can even find several low sugar sherbert recipes online!

1.) If you're especially daring, and creative, take some inspiration from my fellow blogger, Andrea, and try your hand at wool felting. I'm absolutely smitten with her Star Wars inspired Kool-Aid dyed felting coasters, and she makes it look so easy too! Check out her complete felting post and tutorial!

What Daughter Says:  Momma usually made me drink my Kool-Aid on the porch, now I play with it in the house!