Summer is the perfect time to get kids outdoors, sparking their creativity with fun, budget-friendly activities. One of our favorite ways to combine art, play, and sunshine is a spray bottle painting activity. This simple, inexpensive project is a hit with kids of all ages, encourages imaginative expression, and requires minimal setup. Here’s how to make it happen!
Grab your Melissa & Doug spray bottles filled with watercolors (simply mix paint with water to create a nice thin paint to put into the bottle). Set up an easel with paper {outside preferably} and grab a few brushes for extra fun. This spray bottle painting activity is perfect for the summer months!
Why Spray Bottle Painting?
- Affordable: Uses basic supplies you likely already have or can find at a dollar store.
- Messy Fun: Kids love the splashy, hands-on experience, and cleanup is a breeze.
- Creative Freedom: No rules—just spray, mix colors, and create!
- Outdoor Activity: Perfect for keeping kids active and enjoying summer weather.
Materials Needed
- Spray bottles (small, inexpensive ones from dollar stores or reused from household products, cleaned thoroughly)
- Washable tempera paint (non-toxic, in various colors)
- Water
- Large paper or canvas (butcher paper, poster boards, or even old bed sheets work great)
- Easel
- Brushes
- Clothes for getting a little messy
- Tape or rocks (to secure paper to a surface)
- Outdoor surface (fence, easel, or a tree, or lay paper on the ground)
- Optional: Old t-shirts or aprons to protect clothes
Pro Tip: Check your local dollar store for spray bottles and washable paint to keep costs low!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Paint Mixture
Mix equal parts washable tempera paint and water in each spray bottle. Shake well to ensure the paint is fully diluted. Create multiple bottles with different colors for variety. - Set Up the Painting Area
Choose an outdoor spot like a backyard or park. Secure your paper or canvas to a vertical surface (like a fence or easel) with tape, or lay it flat on the ground, using rocks to hold the corners. If using a sheet, hang it up like a banner. - Get the Kids Ready
Have kids wear old clothes or aprons to avoid paint stains. Hand each child a spray bottle (or let them share and take turns). - Start Spraying!
Let the kids go wild spraying paint onto the paper or canvas. Encourage them to experiment with distance (closer for bold splatters, farther for misty effects), mix colors, or create patterns. There’s no wrong way to do it! - Dry and Display
Let the artwork dry in the sun, which usually takes 10-20 minutes depending on the weather. Once dry, display the masterpieces at home or use them as wrapping
The approach was so simple. The joy was so pure. The creativity was so organic. Your child will know just what to do. For my children that meant spraying the paper and creating a beautiful piece of artwork but it also meant spraying each other…and the fence…and the grass…and even my mother. Life is grand.
Full disclosure: This activity could result in paint, well, paint everywhere.
Thanks for choosing to read this post today. Have fun!
Marnie