Cardboard Box Splat Printing

Ever tried splat painting? Splat Painting is an art technique where paint is applied to a surface through throwing, dropping, or tapping with tools that are not brushes.

How it works:

  • Paint is loaded onto an object (balloon, sponge, brush, etc.)
  • The paint-covered object is thrown, dropped, or tapped onto paper/surface
  • The process creates spontaneous, unpredictable marks and textures

This project started with that idea, but thanks to my almost-3-year-old’s creative thinking, it became something even better: splat printing.

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

What We Did: We gathered four balloons and made a simple funnel from cardstock to fill them with dry rice. (In hindsight, my daughter would have been perfectly happy just scooping and pouring rice all afternoon!)

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

Each colorful balloon was placed on a matching plate of paint – red balloon on red paint, blue on blue, and so on. Then we set up cardboard boxes on the lawn as our “canvases.” I chose boxes over paper because they’re sturdy and won’t blow away.

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

My daughter smooshed the balloons in paint, then hurled them into the boxes.  

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

SPLAT!

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

Sometimes she threw two colors at once – so efficient!

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

The Magic Moment: After a few splats, she ran inside and came back with paper and scissors, announcing she wanted to “make prints.” I couldn’t believe it – she was initiating her own printmaking project! All those previous art activities were clearly paying off.

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

This is exactly why I love process art – when kids pivot and follow their own creative instincts, magic happens.

Cardboard Box Splat Printing

No balloons? Try this.

Cut sponges into strips and secure with twist ties in the middle. 

Dip in paint and print – or throw them in the box for the same splat effect!

More Process Art Ideas

A Complete Process Art Guide for Kids

Directory of Process Art Activities

Splat Painting on snow: Catapult Snow Painting from Child Central Station

Splat Painting with paper towels: Splat Painting with damp paper towels from Let’s Tap into our Creative Side

Learn about Jackson Pollock’s Drip Painting Technique: Tate for Kids

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24 Comments

  1. Oh, what fun! All of it! Although when I picture transferring this from one almost-3yo to three kids including two boys ages 7 and 9… I’d have to wait and do this when it’s MUCH warmer, because the whole thing would surely have to end with the hose coming out. 🙂

    • Roopa – Your splat painting with spatulas and sponges is awesome, and I meant to include your post too! Thanks for the reminder. I added it to the post.

  5. What beautiful pictures, of a happy sunny day, and fun painting outdoors. What could be better!
    A good idea- to paint on boxes – I notice your daughter painted the inside. (I find when my kids paint containers such as pots or baskets – they will first paint the inside).

    So wonderful that she thought of making prints!
    Brenda

  6. This looks like so much fun :). Thanks for the linky love!!!! I can’t wait to see what everyone is up to tomorrow!!!

  8. Hi Rachelle! We loved this activity and featured it at our website >> http://blog.mpmschoolsupplies.com/2687/the-wonderful-messy-world-of-splat-painting/. We were certain to give photo source credit as well as a link back to your website, but we’d love for you to take a look at it and, if there are any problems, we’ll take the feature down immediately!

    P.S. I agree with Amy. The weather is warming up {just a little!} here in Northeast Ohio and I’ve been looking for activities to do with my nephews, ages 3 and 5…I envision they won’t be as neat as your daughter and will likely be headed straight to the bathtub! 🙂

    Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you!
    Kayla Johnson
    kjohnson@mpmmgmt.com

  9. Love this idea! You always have the best activities to share! I have a little something for you over at my blog today. (:

  10. Happy blogiversary! I just recently discovered your blog and really enjoy popping up for ideas. Soap making made it to my Summer Bucket list.

  11. I love this fun, messy, physical art experience. Looks so enjoyable.

  12. Great pictures! This is such a fun project too. We’ve tried it a few days ago (btw, I just saw your comment, thank you so much!). The results were beautiful and I fully intend on using M’s splat painting as gift wrapping paper. The outside wall of the house and part of the deck got decorated with some splat paint as well and look gorgeous now.

    • Wow — thank you, Jenny! I can’t wait to get our fly swatters out and give this a go too!

  16. Great activity with cardboard boxes and balloon and really these kinds of activity are very useful when you are with your family keep enjoying.

  18. Thank you for every other informative blog. Where else may just I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I have a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

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  21. Hello,

    I am very happy to see this activity. i will now decide to arrange this activity with my children at this weekend,

    Thanks for sharing us . Keep Continue this good work.

    Isabella

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