Squirt Gun Painting
Squirt Gun Painting is a fun outdoor art activity where kids use squirt guns filled with paint to create colorful designs. It’s playful, creative, and perfect for sunny days!
There are a number of activities to do with water guns for kids and this is a top one at our house! Squirt gun painting is a fun summer art project that kids can do outside with little to no help. Just mix the paint with water, fill the squirt guns and spray the watercolor paper that is clipped onto an easel.
Why You’ll Love This Activity
- Squirt guns use a trigger to release the paint and water mixture which helps little ones practice their fine motor skills.
- Kids can really use their creativity to make beautiful abstract paintings.
- This summer craft can be done completely outside from setting up the paints and making the beautiful art until it is time to clean up.
Supplies for Squirt Gun Painting
- Watercolor paper – Water color paper is sturdy so that when it gets wet, it absorbs the water and it doesn’t rip. You can also use any sized canvas for this fun water gun painting activity.
- Washable paints – Use non-toxic washable paint so that any mess is easy to clean up.
- Cups – Any old plastic cups will work to mix the paint.
- Water – You can easily do this entire activity outside by using the hose.
- Funnel – Use a funnel to guide the paint and water mixture into the squirt gun.
- Squirt guns – These little water guns are at most dollar stores. Get cheap ones since you are adding paint to them. You can also try using spray bottles.
How To Paint with a Squirt Gun
Clip a large sheet of watercolor paper on an easel.
Mix equal parts of washable paint and water in the cups. Stir well to combine.
Use a funnel to pour each color mixture into its own squirt gun.
Step back and let your kids spray the paint-filled squirt guns at the paper.
Pro Tips
- If you don’t have an easel, you can tape the paper to a large cardboard box or piece of cardboard. If it’s breezy outside, you can use painter’s tape to secure the corners of the paper. Older kids with better aim might be able to spray a piece of paper that has been attached to your fence.
- The water and paint mixture consistency should be thin enough to squirt out of the squirt gun but still vibrant when it’s on the paper.
- Pin up all of the art to dry and then host an art show on the clothesline!
- Keep your painting squirt guns in their own box so they don’t get used in a water gun battle and get paint on everyone and everything.
The kids are going to love this fun new way to paint and you’re going to love that they are outside getting fresh air! Squirt gun painting this activity is sure to become one of your household’s favorite summer activities.
Squirt Gun Painting
Equipment
- Cups for mixing paint
- Water
Instructions
- Start by clipping a large sheet of watercolor paper on an easel. If you don’t have an easel, you can tape the paper to a large cardboard box or piece of cardboard. If it’s breezy outside, you can use painter’s tape to secure the corners of the paper.
- In separate cups, mix equal parts of washable paint and water. You want it thin enough to squirt but still vibrant when it’s on the paper. Stir the paint and water well to combine.
- Carefully pour each color mixture into its own squirt gun. This part can get a little messy, so you might want to use a funnel—or just go slow and take your time.
- Now for the fun! Step back and let your kids (or yourself!) spray the paint-filled squirt guns at the paper. Watch the colors splatter and swirl into beautiful abstract designs.
More Great Outdoor Activities
- Send the kids outside to Paint with Bubbles! A few simple supplies will provide hours of painting fun.
- Everyone loves to make a giant bubble and see how far away it can float before it pops. Try a Homemade Bubble Wand with Bubbles and you’ll always have bubbles ready to go.
- It’s time for an Ice Block Treasure Hunt! Freeze some tiny toys and figurines and have the kids chip away at the big block of ice.
- Don’t let your small, broken pieces of sidewalk chalk go to waste. Sidewalk Chalk Paint is easy to make with cornstarch and water so the kids can get creative with their paintbrushes outside on the driveway.
