Unicorn Water Gun Painting
- Jessie
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
All art projects & crafts require adult supervision. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy.
If you’re looking for a magical way to keep your kids busy this summer, you’re going to fall head over hooves for Unicorn Water Gun Painting! This colorful outdoor craft is pure enchantment — it combines the mess and fun of squirt guns with the wonder of unicorns. It’s a dreamy way to make art that’s as unique as your kids!
Unicorn Water Gun Painting is a brilliant twist on classic splatter painting. Instead of using boring old paintbrushes, kids get to fill squirt guns with washable paint and blast their canvases with bursts of rainbow colors. Watching the paint splatter, drip, and blend is half the fun — it’s like spraying a little bit of magic onto every masterpiece.
The real magic happens when they peel away their unicorn stencils or stickers to reveal bright, crisp unicorn shapes hiding beneath the colorful paint splashes. Whether it’s a majestic unicorn head, a playful unicorn with wings, or a prancing pony with a glittery mane — each finished piece feels like finding a hidden rainbow!
What makes Unicorn Water Gun Painting extra special is that no two paintings will ever be the same. Kids can experiment with different colors, angles, and layering techniques to create their own magical rainbow world. It’s the perfect way to spark creativity, get them moving, and soak up some sunshine all at once.
Parents love this craft because it’s easy to set up and keeps the mess outside! Just grab a few squirt guns, washable paint, and a roll of paper or canvas. Lay down an old sheet or drop cloth to catch stray splatters, and let your little unicorns go wild with color. When they’re done, a quick rinse with the garden hose and they’re squeaky clean!
Hosting a unicorn-themed birthday party? This craft is the perfect party activity! Set up a painting station, hang up a few balloons and rainbow streamers, and let the kids create their own magical unicorn art to take home. It’s a craft, an activity, and a party favor all rolled into one — now that’s what I call unicorn magic!
If your kids are obsessed with all things unicorn, don’t stop here! Pair your Unicorn Water Gun Painting with our other whimsical unicorn crafts, like our Unicorn Origami, Unicorn Paper Bag Puppet, or DIY Unicorn Crowns. You’ll have a whole herd of magical creations to brighten up bedrooms, playrooms, or party tables.
So grab your squirt guns, round up your paint colors, and get ready to spray, splatter, and sparkle. With Unicorn Water Gun Painting, every swirl of paint becomes a swirl of magic — and your kids will love creating rainbow-tastic memories they’ll never forget.
Materials Needed:
Printable Unicorn Template or Sticker
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 Unicorn Water Gun Painting
Step 1: Make Your Unicorn
Start by printing the 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 shape.
Want to create your own template? No problem! You can also draw your own shape directly onto the vinyl sticker paper or even onto masking tape and cut it out by hand.
Step 2: Place Your Unicorn on the Canvas
Once you have the shape 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 Unicorn with White Paint
Now it’s time for a super important step that you do not want to skip! Once your sticker 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 sticker 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 edges 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!
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 unicorn 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 unicorn 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 bunch 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 Unicorn Template:
How to download the Printable Unicorn 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!
***These printables are intended for personal and school use exclusively. Unauthorized copying, uploading, republishing, distributing or alteration of these files in any manner is strictly prohibited. If you plan to showcase these printables, please ensure to include a link back to artsykidszone.com.
Comments