Looking for Summer activities for the kids? The kids LOVE squirt gun painting art projects throughout the Summer.
There is something about squirt gun painting that screams Spring and Summer! This fun painting technique is a great activity for kids of all ages.
If you love fun Summer activities for kids as much as we do, then you will not want to miss our other most popular posts including Ice Cream in A Bag, Orange Bird Feeder, and Paper Plate Wind Socks.
Summer Crafts For Kids
For those following along with us this Summer, we decided this was an electronic-free Summer. Besides television, at night we had to figure out how to occupy our time with hands-on outside activity. While it was an adjustment at first, my kids haven't even thought about asking for their tablets for months now.
In any case, with the disconnect of the electronics, we have taken to trying all kinds of projects for the kids, summer art ideas, crafts,s and boredom busters including trying out water gun painting.
We had seen the squirt gun paint maybe 5 years ago and had it on our Summer Bucket list for the last couple of years. When we passed a three-pack of water guns at the dollar store, my daughter asked if we could try it. And it was so much fun!
Check Out These Other Kids Art Projects!
Do not miss our fun ideas for the next time - 15+ CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR BORED KIDS for other fun crafts like this one!
What you need for the Squirt Gun Painting
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- Canvas Panels or Poster Board
- Water pistols
- Paint - Tempera paint or Acrylic paint (tempera is a more washable kind of paint)
- Vinyl Sheet (optional)
- Scissors
- Water
- Easel or Paint friendly place to paint
In terms of supplies, you can get everything at the dollar store. The only thing we ended up getting at Walmart was the thin canvases (which were only a few dollars more) but in the case, you want to stick to the dollar store, in lieu of canvas, grab a thick poster board and cut in half giving you two paint surfaces. You can also consider watercolor paper.
For those questioning the quality of the water gun. I think this is up to you. We did not want to get paint in our higher-end water guns and so we went with super cheap multi-pack squirt guns and the dollar store water guns. They are simple and fun and worked great throughout the rest of Summer.
Also, pick whatever paint colors you want. The different colors make for a great time.
Water Gun Painting Instructions
If you would like shapes on your painting, we used one sheet of vinyl. Turn it over and let the kids draw their favorite shapes. Cut out the shapes and then stick them onto the canvas. If you don't have vinyl, you can use painter's tape.
Then it's time to add the paint to the water squirt gun.
There are a few different ways to do this. We added the paint straight to the water gun and then added water and shook it up. You can also add the paint and water to a plastic bag and then cut the corner and fill the gun that way. A reminder that you do not need much paint.
You can also add liquid watercolor paints in too. Liquid paints need water.
Either way, try and eyeball one-third part paint to two-third part water. For the nice bright colour you want less water.
TIP: In terms of setup, I recommend an outdoor easel. We have instructions on how to make an outdoor easel on the fence, or if you have an indoor easel, simply place a painting tarp down and bring it out for little cleanup. But I highly recommend this being an outdoor activity.
Do not have an easel? That's fine too. Use a thumb tack and pin your canvas or posterboard it to a tree.
Once the paint has dried, then remove the stickers and
If you opt for having the stickers on your picture, then let the paint dry and then peel the stickers off. The end result is each kid's own unique piece of art. Its a fun process art activity for kids of all ages.
Summer fun at its finest! HAPPY SUMMER!
We highlighted this Summer Craft along with some other fun kid's crafts in our Easy Summer Crafts for Kids along with our 101+ Easy Craft Ideas for kids.
You also do not want to miss our 101+ Free Kids Printables full of Crafts & Coloring Pages.
Some Other Fun Summer Activities You Might Enjoy
- Painted Alphabet Rock Magnets
- Boat Craft for Kids
- Color Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- Melty Bead Bowl
- DIY Silly Putty
- Kids Play Teepee
Water Gun Painting Art Project
Materials
- Canvas or Poster Board
- Water squirt guns
- Paint – Tempura or Acrylic (tempura is more washable)
- Vinyl Sheet (optional)
- Water
- Easel or Paint friendly place to paint
Tools
Instructions
- If you would like shapes on your painting, we used one sheet of vinyl. Turn it over and let the kids draw their favorite shapes. Cut out the shapes and then stick them onto the canvas.
- Then its time to add the paint to the guns.
- There are a few different ways to do this. We added the paint straight to the water gun and then added water and shook it up. You can also add the paint and water to plastic bag and then cut the corner and fill the gun that way.
- Either way, try and eyeball one-third paint to two-third water.
- TIP: In terms of setup, I recommend an outdoor easel. We have instructions on how to make an outdoor easel on the fence, or if you have an indoor easel, simply place a painting tarp down and bring it on out
- Do not have an easel? That’s fine too. Use a thumb tack and pin your canvas or poster board it to a tree.
- Once the paint has dried, then remove the stickers and if you opt for having the stickers on your picture, then let the paint dry and then peel the stickers off.
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