This is a great treat for those sweltering summer afternoons and a fun activity for long, vacation days. Kids love this because they learn so much about water’s freezing properties without realizing. The best activities are the one that allow them to explore their world, and this simple activity gives them that power. These Kool-Aid pops are also perfect for slumber parties, Sunday school lock-ins and overnight stays at Grandma’s.
What you’ll need:
Kool-Air in two or three flavors (try to get different colors, like red, green, yellow and blue)
Kool-Aid pops mold or an ice cube tray
Strawberries cut in small pieces or cherries cut in half
Small gummy candies like Gummi-Bears or other shapes
Now, here’s what you do:
Prepare the different flavors of Kool-Aid using sugar to taste. Tthe Kool-Aid pop molds are made out of Tupperware and shaped like traditional popsicles. These molds are available at most cooking stores and seasonally at Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target. They are also available in different shapes of molds. If you are using the Kool-Aid molds, pour a small amount of Kool-Aid of a certain color. Depending on how many colors you want to use, it should fill approximately one-third of each mold. You will freeze the molds until the first color of Kool-Aid is set enough to prevent it from mixing with the second color. It does not have to be hard frozen in the center, but it should be fairly solid on the top. Then you will add the second color of Kool-Aid, again filling approximately one-third of the mold. (The mold will be two-thirds full.) When the second color sets, add the third color.
Now, the fun part comes as you’re filling the molds. Place a small piece of fruit or candy in the liquid for the first flavor. When the first flavor sets, place a piece of fruit on top before adding the second flavor, and so on. Add as many fruits and candies as you want for personal preference.
When the pops freeze, they will be striped in three colors and have fruit and candy “floating” in them.
If you do not have Kool-Aid molds you can still make fun Kool-Aid cubes with an ice tray. You will also need toothpicks and Saran-Wrap or other plastic wrap. Fill the ice cubes trays the same way you would have filled the Kool-Aid molds. You may only want to use two flavors and one piece fruit or candy due to the much smaller size. When You fill the cubes half-way with the first flavor, stretch a piece of Saran-Wrap over the top and fold it under the mold tightly. Stick a toothpick through the Saran-Wrap into each cube. It may not go very far into the first flavor, but that’s all right. Do not push in all the way to the bottom. Push it about half-way through the bottom flavor. When the bottom flavor sets, very carefully remove the Saran-Wrap (you will have to let the cubes freeze longer than was necessary for the molds to keep the toothpicks in place) and pour the second flavor to fill the cubes. Let them freeze for several hours to ensure they are frozen all the way through.
When they are frozen solid, place the bottom of the ice cube tray in a shallow pan of warm water to loosen the popsicle cubes. Gently removed them and use the toothpick as the handle for a delicious treat!
