Cut Stencil Spray Paint Art Project
Design and cut a stencil from cardboard, then spray or dab paint over it to create crisp, bold graphic art with clean edges.
What You'll Need
- 1Cardboard or heavy cardstock for the stencil
- 2Craft knife or scissors
- 3Paint (spray paint with adult supervision, or sponge-dab washable paint)
- 4Paper or poster board
- 5Sponge or dabbing brush
- 6Newspaper to protect surfaces
What You'll Need
Cardboard or heavy cardstock for cutting the stencil
Craft knife (adult supervised) or heavy scissors
Paint — sponge-dab washable paint for indoor use, or spray paint for outdoor use with adult supervision
Paper or poster board for the final art
A sponge or stiff dabbing brush
Newspaper to protect surfaces
How to Play
Draw a bold, simple design on cardboard. Think silhouettes — an animal profile, a bold letter, a geometric shape, a face in profile. Simple shapes with clean edges stencil best.
Cut out the design with a craft knife (an adult should do this or closely supervise) or heavy scissors. You now have two pieces: the frame (negative stencil) and the cut-out shape (positive stencil).
Lay the frame stencil flat on a piece of paper. Hold it down firmly at the edges or tape it lightly.
Dab paint through the open areas with a sponge. Use a straight up-and-down dabbing motion — do not brush sideways or paint will seep under the stencil edge.
Carefully lift the stencil to reveal the crisp design. Clean edges come from holding the stencil flat and dabbing rather than brushing.
Reposition the stencil and apply a second color, or use the cut-out shape as a stencil to create the opposite — a colored background with a white silhouette.
Layer multiple stencils for complex compositions. Each layer adds depth and visual interest.
Tips
The key to clean edges is pressing the stencil flat and dabbing straight down. Sideways brush motion pushes paint under the edge.
Use the cut-out piece too. The positive shape works as a shield — spray around it to create a silhouette.
Stenciling is the foundation of screen printing and street art. Banksy and Shepard Fairey both use stencil techniques.
Reuse stencils multiple times. A well-cut stencil can produce dozens of prints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 35 min, with 15 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: cardboard or heavy cardstock for the stencil, craft knife or scissors, paint (spray paint with adult supervision, or sponge-dab washable paint), paper or poster board, sponge or dabbing brush, and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 35 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.