Turn Old Markers into Outdoor Art: DIY Plant Silhouette Spray Paintings 🌿🎨

Just because it's summer doesn’t mean the artmaking has to stay inside! One of my favorite low-prep, high-impact projects is this plant silhouette spray painting activity—a perfect blend of art, nature, and a little upcycling.

Kids love it because it feels like magic. Grownups love it because it gets everyone outside, encourages curiosity about plants, and uses up those dried-out markers hiding in the bottom of the supply bin. (Yes, those markers.)

This project is a total win for summer camps, backyard playdates, classroom end-of-year celebrations, or even just a creative afternoon in the sun.

First: Make Your Own Liquid Watercolor (from Old Markers!)

Before we dive into the art part, here’s a quick, eco-friendly way to stretch your supplies and turn those dried-up washable markers into vibrant liquid watercolor.

DIY Liquid Watercolor Instructions:

1. Gather dried-out washable markers (Crayola works great!).

2. Place markers (caps off) into a cup or jar filled with a few inches of warm water.

3. Let them soak overnight or for a full day. The longer they soak, the more saturated your color will be.

4. Pour the colored water into spray bottles—and boom! You’ve got custom spray watercolor.

Pro tip: One spray bottle per color makes for less mess and more vibrant results.

Materials You'll Need:

• Heavy-duty drawing paper or watercolor paper
  (Thicker is better—avoid printer paper, which can tear.)

• Spray bottles filled with either:

  • DIY liquid watercolors (see above), or

  • Food coloring + water mixture

• Nature finds: flat leaves, flowers, stems, ferns, dandelions, clover, interesting grasses, etc.
  Avoid anything prickly or poisonous like poison ivy!

• Optional: tape or rocks to help hold plants in place if it’s windy.

How to Do the Project:

1. Head outside and go on a little nature hunt! Encourage kids to collect leaves or plants with bold, graphic shapes.

2. Lay your paper flat on the ground (grass or pavement works great).

3. Arrange your plant materials on the paper—experiment with different compositions!

4. Spray the watercolor mixture across the surface. The paint will mist around the plants, leaving their silhouettes behind when lifted.

5. Let dry completely in the sun. Remove the plant material and reveal your botanical masterpieces!

This project is a wonderful reminder that art can happen anywhere—even right in your backyard. So grab some old markers, go collect some nature, and let the outdoors be your canvas. 🌞🌿

Happy creating!