Hands On As We Grow®

Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

23 Feb

KoolAid Paint with Fun Cleanup

Art ProjectsAll Ages


19 Comments

Some crafts don’t turn out exactly how you plan…

(isn’t that the cardinal rule of crafting with toddlers and preschoolers?)
but the process of doing it is still just as fun and educational.
Henry painted with ice cubes and KoolAid. He sprinkled a couple packages of KoolAid on paper in a tupperware.
Added some ice cubes and shook it around.
(FYI: ahead of time set the ice cubes out earlier so they are already slimy)
The ice cubes didn’t melt fast enough, so I eventually gave him a syringe of water. He had lots of fun with the syringe. Learning to aim where the water went was most of the battle.
(What happens to the colored powder when it gets wet?)
The end product wasn’t too pretty. Just a mess of dark red. Looked a lot like blood, in fact. Henry would have been caught red-handed too!
Since his hands were stained with KoolAid and I have a toddler neat-freak who freaks out if he can’t get his hands clean, I found a very fun way to clean up!
Inspired by Chalk In My Pocket’s puffy paint, but without the time :
I put some dish soap (I have Ivory, its clear) in some small baby jars and added a couple drops of food coloring in each jar. I handed them to Henry in the bathroom. I told him to stir them up, he skipped that step and he dumped them out in the shower. He made some pretty neat designs before he eventually dove in with his hands and smeared it all over.
 
(What happens when the red soap covers the blue soap?)
Henry then rinsed his hands off in the sink. Super Duper Clean!
(so was my shower floor)

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

Reader Interactions

19 Comments

  1. Katherine says

    What a cutie! I love that you put his age on activities, because I always find myself wondering if my 23 month old could handle/enjoy certain projects. Thanks for writing such a fun blog full of great ideas!!

    reply to this comment

  3. NaDyne says

    Jamie – have you ever tried Spin Art with a salad spinner? Cut a paper plate to fit in the bottom of a plastic salad spinner (get a cheap one because you won't want to use it for lettuce!) Add a couples squirts/drops of poster paint or diluted finger paint. Drop in a golf ball or 2-4 marbles or ping pong balls – you'll have to experiment to see which works better. Put the top on and spin away!!

    reply to this comment

  7. Erin Wallace says

    I think this is a cool project and might just have to try it. My boy told me the other day "I love colors, Mommy!"

    I am your newest follower via Midweek Mingle. I hope to see you at my blog Dropped Stitches.

    reply to this comment

  10. RedTedArt says

    This really looks fun and fabulous! Love crafts that involve the younger children and let them have fun!!

    Thank ou so much for stopping by at Kids Get Crafty and sharing it with us!!

    Maggy

    reply to this comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Jamie

What Parents Have to Say…

There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!! - Melissa C.

"I absolutely love that this takes all the prep work out of engaging my children. It is so easy to just put up the calendar, and glance at it for inspiration when we are in a funk." - The Activity Room Member, Rachel


I have found it impossible to Google ideas from a million different sites, get organized, shop for supplies, etc. This is exactly what I have been searching for! Thanks for making something so organized and easy to use. - Early Years Activity Plans User, Melissa C.


This takes down the need to scour the internet for ideas. It's like looking for a recipe on the internet, so many options that often times it is less overwhelming to look in a book on the shelf than stress about too many options. - Early Years Activity Plans User, Robyn G


Thank you so much for these activities. They have proven to me that I CAN be that mom that does cool and creative things with her kids! And those cool and creative things can actually be quite simple! What a revelation. Thank you!! - 7 Day Challenge, Katie M.


I feel like a new mama having so many fun ideas. I used to dread the afternoon, after naps, as it was so boring doing the same thing day after day but now I look forward to our "play" time! - Haley S.

You have changed how I spend time with my kid in so many positive ways! I am now one happy dad that no longer wonders what I am going to do with this little guy for the next 12 hours :P Your site was this first time dad life saver! - Jack C.

It is hard to think of things to keep the 3 year old entertained and engaged while taking care of the baby. Everything we have tried so far from your website, the three year old has loved. Your ideas are so simple and he can do them for hours. HEAVEN! - Karen I.

Create Special Moments Together with Pre-Planned Activities!

Shop Now

Get activity plans delivered to your inbox, every week!

JOIN NOW

Don’t miss these posts other hands on parents love:

Ready for fun with your kids?

PLAN THE FUN WITH THE FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES PLANNER!
AND RECEIVE ACTIVITIES EVERY WEEK!

I'm Ready

We use cookies to customize content and advertising. By visiting this site, you agree to our privacy policy.