Squeegee painting is a unique and fun way to create art that produces beautiful, one-of-a-kind results. It’s a simple technique that involves using a squeegee to spread paint across paper, blending colors in interesting and unexpected ways. This method is not only easy to set up but also offers a new sensory experience for kids, making it an exciting addition to our usual art activities.
My toddler loves using the squeegee on the window and glass shower door, so I thought, why not try it with paint? The idea was a hit! The paint spreads smoothly and creates cool patterns and textures that are different every time. It’s a great way for kids to explore their creativity without needing a lot of fine motor skills, making it perfect for toddlers and younger children.
The results were fantastic and visually striking, with vibrant swirls and blends of color that looked almost professional. This activity is perfect for a rainy day indoors or an outdoor art session. Squeegee painting is a must-try for parents looking for a new, creative way to keep their kids engaged and entertained!
If you like this painting activity, be sure to check out our bubble painting activity!
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Materials You’ll Need
- Paper
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Squeegee
For this activity, I like to use this white construction paper because it’s sturdy and holds up well to the paint. Plus, it’s super cheap on Amazon and is good quality.
We used washable paint for this project, which worked wonderfully and made clean-up easy. We also tried glitter paint, which added a fun, sparkly touch to the designs. Both types of paint produced really cool results.
This is the squeegee we used, but any squeegee would work well. The key is to find one that your child can easily handle and maneuver across the paper.
Make sure to check our our list of our favorite paint materials here!
How to Do Squeegee Painting
Squeegee painting is simple and fun. Here’s how to do it:
- Apply the Paint: Start by putting globs of paint onto the paper. There really is no wrong way to do this part, so let your child go for it! If you don’t want any white paper showing, make sure the paint is evenly distributed across the paper.
- Use the Squeegee: Take your squeegee and start at the top of your paper. Move it down the paper with even pressure until you reach the bottom. You can go back and do it again if there are any white spots you want to fill up. Again, there’s no real wrong way to do this. Keep in mind (you can kind of see it in our examples) that if you stop in the middle of the page, there may be a subtle line.
Enjoy watching the colors blend and create beautiful, unique patterns. This activity is all about exploring and having fun, so encourage your child to experiment with different paint placements and squeegee techniques!
Clean Up
When the squeegee reaches the bottom of the paper, there will be lots of paint, just like when you clean a window and there is a lot of glass cleaner left over. To make clean up easier, make sure you cover the surface you are working on with a protective layer.
Besides that, this is a relatively clean art activity. The squeegee helps contain the mess by spreading the paint smoothly across the paper. Of course, you’ll still have the normal painting with kids messes, such as paint on hands and a few drips here and there, but nothing too overwhelming. Just have some wipes or a damp cloth handy for quick clean-ups, and you’ll be good to go!
Need more painting activity inspiration? Try eyedropper painting!
Saving the Artwork
One of the great things about squeegee painting is that it saves really well and dries fairly quickly. Since the squeegee spreads the paint thinly across the paper, there isn’t a lot of excess paint that needs to dry. After completing the painting, simply lay the paper flat in a safe spot to dry. It usually only takes a few hours for the paint to dry completely.
Once dry, the artwork can be framed or displayed around the house! We use this bulletin board in our playroom to hang up all the kids arts and crafts!
Variations to the Activity
Here are some fun variations to keep your squeegee painting activity fresh and exciting:
- Different Paint Patterns: Instead of just putting dots of paint, try starting with different patterns. Draw squiggly lines, zigzags, or even simple shapes like hearts or stars before using the squeegee. This can create interesting and unique effects when the paint is spread.
- Layered Colors: Apply one color of paint, use the squeegee, then add another layer of a different color on top and squeegee again. This creates a layered, textured look with multiple colors blending together in fascinating ways.
- Add Glitter: Sprinkle some glitter onto the paint before using the squeegee. This will give your artwork a sparkly finish and add an extra element of fun.
- Using Different Squeegee Techniques: Try different techniques with the squeegee. Instead of moving it straight down, try moving it diagonally, in waves, or even in circular motions to see how it changes the patterns and effects on the paper.
- Textured Paper: Use different types of paper, like textured or glossy paper, to see how the paint behaves differently. Each type of paper will give the finished artwork a unique look and feel.
- Using Different Tools: Experiment with other tools besides a squeegee. Try using a credit card, ruler, or even a piece of cardboard to spread the paint. Each tool will create different textures and effects.
These variations can keep the squeegee painting activity exciting and offer new ways for your kids to explore their creativity!
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