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Home / Kids Stuff / Color Powder Hack- Watercolor with Kool-AID

Color Powder Hack- Watercolor with Kool-AID

October 13, 2015

Right now colored powder dyes are all the rage- the sheer number of them I’ve reviewed in the past month is pretty astounding. But what if you don’t have the big bucks for those powdered dyes? If you have a dollar, you can have a full set of ten…. if you use Kool-Aid or other powdered drink mixes.

Kool-Aid for Watercoloring; colored dye powder hack. You have to see it to believe it! (Video Tutorial.)

I made you a video, but here’s the skinny:

  • use an UNSWEETENED drink mix- it won’t get sticky.
  • Snip the corner and sprinkle onto watercolor paper or heavy card stock.
  • Mist with water to see the colors come alive!

It’s certainly cheap, and the dyes are food-safe so you don’t have to worry so much about them flying about. And if you get some up your nose, in your mouth, or on your hands…well, YUMMY!

Take a look!

And here’s a better look at those paper samples!

Watercoloring with Kool-Aid (or other powdered drink mix.)

This textured paper is stunning with powdered drink-mix dyes!

Watercolor with Kool Aid or other powdered drink mix!

Results on watercolor paper.

Watercolor with Kool Aid or other powdered drink mix!

Linda Gorman’s Stunning Card. Click the photo to go to her website. 🙂

Watercolor with Kool Aid or other powdered drink mix!

Another sample.

Watercolor with Kool Aid or other powdered drink mix!

To compare: Kool-Aid on the left, Primary Elements on the right.

If you still want to invest in an expensive set of powdered dyes- go ahead! They will be more archival and give you brighter and more permanent results. But if you just want a cheap alternative for a kids group, or to play around a bit before you commit to a bigger purchase, this might be fun for you!

Thoughts, crafty friends??

See my related reviews:

  • Brusho (affiliate link to purchase) 
  • Colorburst (affiliate link to purchase)
  • Primary Elements (affiliate link to purchase) 
  • Magical from Lindy’s Stamp Gang (affiliate link to purchase) 

 

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Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.
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  • Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018

Posted in Kids Stuff, Paints, Inks & Dyes | 5 Comments

Comments

  1. Kim P. says

    October 14, 2015 at 09:56

    Wow! Would never have thought to use Kool-Aid. Thanks for showing and i will have to try this.

  2. Susan G says

    October 14, 2015 at 13:06

    Well, good grief! Your videos and reviews are always “spot on”. Thanks for the great tip. I have a set of Brushos, but if my Grandkids stop over, “hey, Koolaid!” Thanks so much.

  3. Connie S. says

    October 17, 2015 at 20:55

    What a neat idea. Will have to try this.

  4. g says

    October 20, 2015 at 14:56

    I was wondering if that would work. We use kool aid to dye sheep’s wool before spinning. It workes great and is pretty color fast if fixed with vinegar.

  5. Sharon Lones says

    October 23, 2015 at 18:13

    Love it! Am a fellow Vermonter!!!

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Hi! I’m Jenny, the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS and the Head Dummy behind CraftTestDummies.com where you’ll find craft product reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news.

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Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

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