Discover how to transform Cool Whip into edible paint using powdered drink mix. It’s a simple art activity that kids will love!

2-Ingredient Cool Whip Paint

Edible puffy Paint for the sidewalk, bathtub, or paper?! How cool is that?!

You can make it with two simple kitchen ingredients: Cool Whip and Kool Aid!

If you’re looking for simple art activities for younger children, you may have seen recipes for homemade finger paint. A lot of those recipes use shaving cream as the base, so while it’s easy to make, it’s not safe if tasted. And that can be a problem with toddlers, who love to put everything in their mouth!

That’s one of the reasons I started making edible slime with my kids, and boy was that a hit! So I figured, why not make our own edible paints too?

Instead of shaving cream, we used Cool Whip (or whipped topping), which has a similar fluffy texture, but is totally taste safe! To make vibrant rainbow of colors, we used Kool Aid drink mix instead of liquid food coloring because it’s much less messy! Even gel food coloring can be a mess, but Kool Aid is just a powder until you mix it with something, so a spill is no big deal to clean up while you make your paints.

One of the neat things about this homemade paint is that it can be used so many different ways! Use with paintbrushes on paper for a puffy paint effect, paint on the sidewalk for a washable outdoor art activity, paint in the tub for bath time fun — so many ways to play! You can even use it as an edible finger paint!

This is really the perfect activity for kids of all ages because it inspires creativity and smells fantastic! It’s a sensory art experience that even older kids will enjoy!

Edible Paint Ingredients

For your convenience in creating this recipe, we’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products used; disclosure policy available here.

• Whipped Topping (Such as Cool Whip)
• Unsweetened Drink Mix (Such as Kool Aid)

Kitchen Supplies Used

• Small Ramekins (these ones are clear so you can see the colors of paint well, and they are break-resistant); you could also use empty baby food jars!

Instructions

One of the reasons I love this edible food paint is because it is such an easy recipe, with simple steps! There’s no exact measurements and it’s almost impossible to mess up!

1. Scoop 1/2 cup to a cup of whipped topping into a small bowl or ramekin.
2. Pick a packet of Kool Aid for each color of paint you’d like to make. You’ll use Kool Aid instead of regular food coloring, so no measuring or messing with drops of food coloring!
3. Pour the full packet of Kool Aid into the dish of Cool Whip.
4. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the color is even. Repeat for each color of paint you’d like to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Cool Whip Paint Taste Like?

Fruity and sour! Since we used unsweetened drink mix, the end result is a paint that has fruit flavor, but is a bit tart. You could use sweetened drink mix if you want something that is not quite so sour. But I kind of like using the regular no-sugar Kool Aid because it means that kids won’t sit there and eat it all like a snack!

Does Kool Aid Stain?

If you’re painting on paper, yes, this paint will act like any kid’s craft paint and stick to the fibers. So in that regard, it could potentially stain clothing or carpet. As with any arts and craft activity, I recommend wearing play clothes and working on a safe surface that is easy to wipe clean.

If painting in the tub, it should wash away easily. I do recommend spot-testing first just in case, as there are certain kinds of tiles that may be porous. I also don’t recommend letting the paint sit for an extended time, but normal bath play should be fine.

If painting outside on the sidewalk, it should wash away with a hose or whenever it rains. The paint will not be permanent.

If using as finger paints, the Cool Whip helps dilute the color and lessen the chance of staining, though it could temporarily color fingers if you’re painting for a while. It won’t be permanent though! Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.

Can You Save Leftover Paint for Later?

If your containers have a lid, you can keep any leftover paint to use again another day. You’ll want to keep it refrigerated, just like regular Cool Whip, so it doesn’t turn into more of a liquid and lose the fluffiness. It won’t last forever, but you could probably re-use within a week or so. It can also be frozen!

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