Dinosaur-Inspired Water Gun Paintings
- Jessie
- Jul 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 8
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If your kids love dinosaurs and messy art projects, get ready for their new favorite craft! Dinosaur-Inspired Water Gun Paintings combine outdoor fun, creative splatter art, and the thrill of watching prehistoric shapes come to life right in your backyard. This is one summer activity that’s guaranteed to make your little paleontologists roar with excitement!
This isn’t your typical painting project — instead of brushes, kids use squirt guns filled with washable paint to blast vibrant colors all over their canvases. And when they peel away the dinosaur templates at the end? They’ll reveal crisp, bold shapes of their favorite dinos like magic! It’s part science, part art, and totally unforgettable.
One of the best things about this project is that no two paintings will ever be the same. Every spray and squirt of paint creates unique splatter patterns and color blends, so each child’s dinosaur masterpiece is completely one-of-a-kind. It’s the perfect combo of creativity, active play, and outdoor fun.
We’ve made it easy for you by including printable templates for some of the most beloved dinosaurs. Your kids can choose from a mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, a gentle Brontosaurus, a spiky Stegosaurus, and the soaring Pterodactyl. Whether they pick their favorite or try them all, they’ll have a blast layering colors and watching their dinosaurs appear.
This activity is perfect for dinosaur-themed birthday parties, backyard playdates, or just a sunny afternoon when your kids need to burn off some energy. They’ll love running around outside, aiming their squirt guns, and creating prehistoric art that’s worthy of a museum (or at least the fridge!).
And if your kids are as dino-obsessed as ours, don’t stop here! Be sure to check out some of our other roar-some crafts, like our Dino Feet Craft or our Printable Dinosaur Masks — they’re all fun ways to keep the prehistoric adventures going long after the paint dries.
Parents love this project too because it’s perfect for getting kids away from screens. All you need is some washable paint, water guns, canvas, and a patch of sunny yard. When they’re done, you can hose down the kids and the backyard — mess managed!
So grab your templates, load up those squirt guns, and let the Jurassic painting party begin! With Dinosaur-Inspired Water Gun Paintings, your kids will create colorful memories they’ll want to repeat summer after summer. Let the dino-splatter fun roar on!
Materials Needed:
Printable Dinosaurs Template
Scissors
Vinyl Sticker Paper
Tempera paint (washable and non-toxic)
White acrylic paint
Water
Water guns (one for each color is extra fun!)
Canvas (8x10 or larger)
Plastic cups or squeeze bottles for mixing paint
Old clothes or paint smocks (things can get messy!)
Drop cloth or tarp (optional, to protect grass or fences)
Step-by-Step Directions to make Dinosaur-Inspired Water Gun Painting
Step 1: Make Your Dragon
Start by printing the dragon template provided at the bottom of this post onto 8.5” x 11” vinyl sticker paper. The vinyl works best because it helps resist moisture and holds its shape while your kids are squirting paint all over the canvas. Then carefully cut out the dinosaurs.
Want to create your own template? No problem! You can also draw your own dragon directly onto the vinyl sticker paper or even onto masking tape and cut it out by hand.
Step 2: Place Your Dragon on the Canvas
Once you have the dragon is cut out, it’s time to get creative! Carefully peel off the backing and place the sticker onto your canvas however you’d like. Play around with different placements — you can place it the middle or to a side. Press each sticker down firmly so the edges stick well — this helps the sticker resist the paint and stay crisp when you peel it off later.
Step 3: Seal the Dinosaur with White Paint
Now it’s time for a super important step that you do not want to skip! Once your dinosaur is stuck down, use white acrylic paint to brush over the canvas — make sure to cover the sticker and the edges all around each side.
Why is this step so crucial? Even though your vinyl sticker is flat, your canvas has a slight texture, which means there will be tiny gaps between the sticker and the canvas. If you skip this step, the paint from your squirt guns can seep underneath the sticker and ruin the crisp shape you worked so hard on!
The white paint acts like a sealer. It fills in any little gaps around the edges of the dinosaur and keeps the other colors from bleeding through. Once the first layer of white paint is dry, add another coat just to be extra safe. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference for keeping your dinosaur sharp and clean when you peel the sticker off later!
Step 4: Prep Your Paint & Load Squirt Guns
In plastic cups or squeeze bottles, mix the tempera paint colors in different cups with a bit of water until it’s thin enough to squirt easily through the water gun. Each brand of paint is a little different, but a 50/50 ratio of paint to water is usually a good starting point. You’re aiming for a milk-like consistency — not too thick, not too runny! If the water gun is struggling to get the paint out, just add a little more water until it flows smoothly. Be careful not to add too much water though, or your colors might look too light and washed out.
Carefully pour each color into its own water gun. Kids love having one gun per color so they can switch up their designs and create bold, layered masterpieces. Make sure the caps are sealed tight so there are no leaks or surprise splashes! I even like to take a permanent marker and write what color is in each gun — it makes it easy for kids to grab the right shade without any mix-ups.
Step 5: Set Up Your Canvas
Set up your canvas outside. Tape it to a fence, easel, or lay them flat on the ground with a drop cloth underneath. The bigger the canvas, the bigger the blast zone for your little artists!
Step 6: Let the Fun Begin!
Hand over the squirt guns and let your kids go wild! Encourage them to try spraying from different angles and distances. Watch as they layer colors and create amazing splatter effects — no two paintings will ever be the same!
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Step 7: Let It Dry & Peel Off the Star Stickers
When your little artists are done spraying, set the artwork aside to dry completely. You can clip the canvases to a clothesline, lean them against a fence, or just leave them flat in the sunshine — whatever works best to keep them safe while they dry.
Once the paint is totally dry, it’s time for the best part: peeling off the dragon sticker! Carefully lift each one to reveal bright, crisp white dragon that stayed protected while the rest of the canvas turned into a beautiful, splattered explosion of colors.
This step is always so satisfying for kids (and adults too!). Watching those bold dragons pop through the messy, colorful background is so exciting. It’s so much fun and each piece of art is truly unique.
The fun doesn’t stop here! At Artsy Kids Zone, we’ve got a whole barnyard (and beyond!) full of creative projects waiting to be explored. From playful paper crafts to interactive printables, there are hundreds of hands-on activities to keep little artists busy, learning, and laughing.
Whether your kiddo wants to craft a pirate puppet, make a hatching dragon egg, or try their hand at magical crayon resist art, we’ve got something to spark every imagination. Our projects are made with kids in mind—easy to prep, fun to make, and perfect for classrooms, rainy days, or weekend adventures at the kitchen table. So don’t be shy—dig in, get messy, and let your child’s creativity run wild at Artsy Kids Zone!
How To Download Printable Dinosaur Template:
How to download the Printable Dinosaur Template? Simply sign up to become a member of Artsy Kids Zone to gain access to our exclusive downloads. The best part is that memberships are completely FREE! Not only will you gain access to this art project, but you'll also unlock a treasure trove of Artsy Kids Zone downloads. By signing up, you are agreeing to receive emails from Artsy Kids Zone with updates, new craft ideas, and special offers. It’s a great way to stay inspired and keep your little ones engaged with fun, creative activities!
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