Splatter painting is one of our favorite action art activities for kids of all ages! Here are tips and tricks plus ideas for what to do with the finished artworks.
Updated May 2024
Have you done splatter painting with kids? If not, you’ve got to try it!
This action art activity is a big-time favorite with all the kids we’ve known. We love it so much that it’s included in The BEST Art Ideas for Kids!
We’ve done art with many kids over the years – in weekly art groups, art classes, with our own kids, and with their friends – and everyone loves this action art activity.
Heck, we love it, too!
We’re going to share the best instructions for trying splatter painting with kids (don’t worry, it’s easy!) as well as some tips and tricks we’ve learned from the countless times we’ve done it.
Plus, we’ll share some ideas for what to do with your finished splatter art.
Splatter Painting for Kids
The best thing about splatter painting is it’s versatile! You can do it:
- Small or big
- On paper, canvas, or cardboard
- With watercolors, tempera, or acrylics
- With toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and even adults
MATERIALS
- Runny paint in cups*
- Paper (or a roll of easel paper, cardboard, poster board, or a bed sheet)
- Spoon or brush
*A somewhat liquid or runny paint is best. We’ve used all different kinds, including liquid watercolors, watered-down tempera paint, and watered down craft acrylics.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set up for the mess
If you’re doing your painting outside, simply lay your paper on the ground and go at it. (We’ve used cardboard as a sturdy surface, but it isn’t necessary.)
If you’re brave enough to do splatter painting inside, we recommend covering your work surface with a drop cloth and doing it on a smaller scale (think wrist flicks instead of whole arm flicks).
- Start splatter painting!
Dip your paint brush or spoon into the paint then flick your wrist to splatter the paint across the paper.
- Repeat!
Continue splattering with one or more colors until you’re happy with your painting.
Then, let dry.
Encourage your child to experiment with a range of splatter motion: try brief wrist flicks or expansive wrist flicks. Splatter with your whole arm, upper body, or entire body. See what happens when you splatter close to the surface or far away. Try circular motions or up and down motions.
What to Do with Your Splatter Art
Now that you’ve had fun painting, what will you do with your splatter art? Here are some ideas…
- Display the artwork. Hang the painting on the wall, framed or unframed.
- Make your own greeting cards (cut out small squares or rectangles from the splatter art and glue to blank cards or cardstock folded over).
- Make book covers (Here’s a tutorial for DIY notebooks).
- If you splatter painted on fabric, use it as a fort or teepee cover.
- Use the art as a backdrop for a photo booth.
- Turn it into handmade wrapping paper.
- Cut triangles from the splatter art and sew, tape, or string them together into a colorful bunting.
More Art Ideas for Kids
- How to Do Splat Painting
- Action Art for Kids
- How to Do Spin Art with a Salad Spinner
- How to Do Marble Painting for Kids
- 21 Outdoor Art Ideas for Kids
- 7 Fun Painting Ideas for Kids
Want even more creative ideas?
Check out our Artful Parent Starter Pack!
Engage your kids through art and creativity with this printable booklet where you’ll find all of our best tips, tricks, and ideas for getting started on your artful parenting journey!
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