For me Kool-Aid brings back fun summer memories. Like how one summer my sister used Kool-Aid to dye her hair… it was awesome! And then in college I worked at a summer camp where we pretty much lived on the stuff {ha!} The great thing about Kool-Aid is that its not just a drink. Today I’m sharing a tutorial to make a spray paint T-shirt with Kool-Aid.
Cute right? I love that Kool-Aid is such a tasty juice drink AND you can paint with it! I grabbed tropical punch Kool-Aid {for the great red color!}, a white tank top, and a spray bottle.
okay.. enough about that, lets get to the project. After I bought my supplies I gathered a few things from around the house. The complete supply list is:
White shirt, Kool-Aid {in color of your choice}, spray bottle, felt with sticky back, cardboard and rubbing alcohol {to seal the color}
Cut the sticky felt in to the shapes you want to stay white. {I made flowers and leaves} Place on the shirt where you want them to be, press firmly to secure to shirt and keep paint from leaking under. 
Put the cardboard inside the shirt to keep the color from leaking onto the back. Put the Kool-Aid into the spray bottle and spray heavily around the felt, then lighter around the edges.
The final step is very important! At this point you need to spray the shirt with the rubbing alcohol to seal in the color. {I would still wash it separate for the first few washes!}
let it dry completely, then wash and wear! Fun right? This would make an awesome project for a summer party… and I can’t wait to make more spray paint t-shirt with other Kool-Aid colors.
The design possibilities are endless!
For other fun summer ideas see my Summer Fun Category under kids.
Diana Rambles says
I love this! What a fun activity. Pinned because we *WILL* be making these this summer. Even my teen son will LOVE it! (He’s wearing a pink shirt that I embroidered a robot on this morning and he just asked for a pink shirt with a watermelon…I’m thinking white whirt with watermelon stencil with Kool-Aid paint!!)
Emily says
I know! this is perfect because KoolAid makes so many colors it can be great for boys and girls!!
April says
So cute! I did not know you could do that with koolaid!! I love your design. Pinning to my craft board to use for babysitting jobs!
DesignedByBH says
How fun is that?!?! What a great idea! Pinning! 🙂
– Brooke –
Emily says
thanks!!
Emily says
This is an awesome idea! How does it hold up to washing? I tried to dye a onesie after dying Easter eggs, and it washed out after 2 washes. 🙁
Emily says
did you spray your onesie with rubbing alcohol? I’m pretty sure that is the key to keeping the color with washing ;o)
Emily says
So it stays in the clothes, and doesn’t fade! Awesome! Why does that work, I wonder?
Amy Anderson says
Love this! I had no idea you could do it!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
I love this idea! It is so cute! I would have never thought of it.
Nicole says
How cute is that? We just made Kool-Aid playdough, but this is SUPER creative! Love it!
Emily says
thanks! My son has been asking for playdough, so I am excited to try your recipe too!
Marketa says
Love this idea! Definitely doing this…one question though: will the Kool-Aid wash off?
Emily says
as far as I know the rubbing alcohol step should seal in the color!!!
Nancy says
no way! That would really work? How very cool!
Emily says
yes, it does ;o)
Camila says
That is so awesome and cute and I’m so gonna make it. If I do it I’ll make sure to give you the credits for inspiring me in such a lovely projects! OMG I can’t imagine the things I can do… OMG a matching T-Shit for me and My Girl LOL!!!! LOOOOVE it!!!
XOXO
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
SUCH a super cute idea!! My kids would love to make some of these shirts this summer.
Annie says
How fun! I do not drink cool-aid, but if I ever buy them, it will be for this project! 😀
Cindy Stewart says
i love the idea! wondering………can you use packet kool aid and mix it up (cheaper?) and is it the rubbing alcohol you buy at the drug stores, the isopropyl cheap one (the one that is about $1.00) thanks
Emily says
When my sister dyed her hair years ago we used the packet… I would mix it with less water than then recommended and it should work fine. I’m not sure about the rubbing alcohol, but I think any is fine!
Cindy Stewart says
the alcohol question was in regards to what kind do you use for the project? thanks
malia says
Super cool! Pinning!
Kelly says
This is so cool! My nephew did something similar, but opposite – lol. Same idea with the “stencil”, but he used a black tshirt and a spray bottle with diluted bleach/water. It was really cool how it made different colors, depending on how much bleach he used.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
kool aid is one of my FAVORITE dyes. It’s so potent and SO cheap!
Emily says
yep! It’s crazy that a drink is such a great dye ;o)
Jenna Wood says
I have seen Kool-Aid used to day many things, but I truly love the technique you have used here, it is organic and fun! #Client
Emily says
thanks! I had a blast with this project and can’t wait to wear this tank all summer!
Rachel @ Craft, Art & Mess says
This is a great idea, saw it on Treasure Tuesday and had to have a look, think I might also share this on Facebook if that’s OK, its just so simple, my daugther would love this idea with a dotty shirt so guess what I am doing this weekend.
Crystelle says
Such a cute design! Such a cute method….
But I worry about what they put in kool-aid! I don’t think that is meant to be digested!!! 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique<
CHRISTINE SOMEAN says
What??!!?! Trust this… It is no worse for you than soda and MILLIONS & MILLIONS of people, kids, adults, myself included CONSUME it every day with no ill effects. You don’t eat it so there’s nothing to digest. Drinks that contain at least some real fruit juice are a better choice, but sometimes we can’t afford to be choosy, right? Guarantee your kids will drain the pitcher the same day ( if you let ’em).