Squirt Gun Painting – A Summer Art Activity Kids Will Love

22.07.2025

Looking for a fun, creative, and unique summer activity for kids? Squirt gun painting is the perfect way to combine art and outdoor play while keeping everyone cool. It’s easy to set up, requires minimal supplies, and will leave the kids with a colorful masterpiece. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with this exciting summer art activity.

What You’ll Need:

Water guns (the larger, squirt guns work best)
Water-based paints (acrylic or washable tempera paints)
Water
Canvas or large sheets of paper (you can also use old sheets or cardboard)
Plastic tablecloth or drop cloth (to protect surfaces)
Plastic cups or bowls (for mixing paints)
Rubber gloves (optional, to avoid stained hands)

Step 1: Prepare the Workspace

Start by laying out a plastic tablecloth or drop cloth to protect your surfaces from splashes and spills. If you’re using canvases or paper, set them up in an area where the kids can easily access them without worrying about making a mess.

Why it works: Protecting the surface ensures easy cleanup afterward and keeps the paint from getting onto unwanted areas.

Step 2: Prepare the Paint Mixture

In plastic cups or bowls, mix water-based paints with water to create a liquid consistency that can be easily sprayed out of the squirt gun. The more water you add, the lighter the color will be, so you can adjust the paint thickness based on your preference. Test the squirt gun to ensure the paint is not too thick to spray.

Why it works: The right paint consistency allows the squirt guns to work effectively, creating beautiful splatters and color patterns on the canvas.

Step 3: Fill the Squirt Guns

Carefully fill each squirt gun with the colored paint mixtures. You can assign a different color to each gun, or let the kids experiment by mixing colors for unique effects.

Why it works: Using different colors and multiple squirt guns adds variety and creativity to the artwork. It also makes the process fun and interactive for the kids.

Step 4: Get Ready to Paint!

Let the kids go wild with their squirt guns! Encourage them to aim at the canvas or paper and shoot to create different patterns and color combinations. You can also have them experiment with layering colors or spraying from different distances to see how the effects change.

Why it works: Squirt gun painting is a dynamic activity that lets kids express their creativity and create bold, colorful art with minimal effort.

Step 5: Let the Art Dry

Once the artwork is complete, let it dry. If you used canvas or sturdy paper, you can frame the art or hang it in the house as a colorful reminder of the summer fun.

Why it works: Drying the artwork helps preserve the colors and gives kids a tangible piece of art to admire. Plus, it adds to the excitement of having made something unique.

Why Squirt Gun Painting Is Great for Kids:

It’s messy, but fun: Kids will love the splatter effect and the chance to create colorful chaos.
It encourages creativity: This activity allows children to experiment with colors, patterns, and techniques in an easy, no-rules way.
It’s a perfect outdoor activity: Painting with squirt guns is an exciting way to keep kids cool in the heat while letting them enjoy a creative process outdoors.
It’s safe and easy: The materials needed are simple and non-toxic, making it a safe activity for children of all ages.

Final Thoughts: A Fun and Colorful Summer Activity

Squirt gun painting is an exciting, budget-friendly summer activity that kids will absolutely love. It’s a great way to combine art, outdoor play, and fun in the sun. So, grab your squirt guns, mix up some colorful paint, and let the creativity flow this summer!