Balloon Paint Dart Art

This project creates a giant, abstract drip-and-splat painting by attaching small paint-filled balloons to a large canvas and letting friends throw darts to burst them. It’s chaotic, joyful, and surprisingly beautiful.

Was this inspired by watching The Princess Diaries as a child? Yes. Yes it was.

For Balloon Prep

1. Small party balloons. I recommend 5-7" size.
2. A small funnel
3. Acrylic or tempera paint (can be thinned slightly with water to improve flow)
4. Bike pump with a narrow nozzle adapter
5. Balloon tying tool (optional but very helpful)
6. Paper towels / drop cloth for spills

For the Canvas Board

1. One sheet 4' x 8' plywood
2. A piece of canvas or heavy drop cloth large enough to wrap around the plywood
3. Staple gun + staples

For Mounting Balloons

1. Small nails or pins (e.g., ½" linoleum tacks)
2. Hammer
3. Plyers to hold the pins while you hammer
4. Layout space on the ground to position balloons

For the Dart Station

1. Darts that you don't mind getting splattered with paint
2. Large tarp(s) or plastic sheets for the ground
3. Outdoor space or garage with good airflow
4. Optional step stool for kids

1. Protect your workbench or garage floor with a tarp*. Paint-filled balloons drip a lot.
2. Lay out:
3. Balloons
4. Funnel
5. Paint colors
6. Bike pump

You’re now ready to start creating your balloons.

*Note the lack of tarp in my photos. There's still a purple paint splat on my garage floor. Please learn from me and use a tarp.

This step and the one following goes a lot smoother with two people working together - one to fill and one to inflate. Recruit a helper if you can!

1. Stretch the balloon neck a few times so it’s easier to work with.
2. Fit the balloon onto the funnel
3. Pull the balloon’s opening up over the funnel stem so it seals.
4. Hold firmly so paint doesn’t leak out.
5. Add paint to the funnel
6. Squeeze or pour ~1–2 tablespoons of paint into each balloon.
7. Remove the funnel gently

💡 Tip: Don't overfill or adding air will be tricky and messy.

1. Attach the narrow inflation nozzle to your bike pump.
2. Insert the nozzle into the balloon’s neck while keeping a firm pinch to avoid spilling the paint.
3. Pump in air until the balloon reaches a shape you like
4. Remove nozzle and tie a tight knot.

Repeat for all your colors until you have a gorgeous box full of filled paint balloons.

1. Lay the 4' x 8' plywood flat, either on the ground or a table/workbench.
2. Center your canvas or drop cloth on top.
3. Pull canvas tight around one long edge and staple every ~12 inches.
4. Move to the opposite long edge, stretch tight, and staple.
5. Repeat for both short edges.
6. Check the front to ensure it’s smooth and tight.

This becomes the “target.”

1. Arrange balloons on the canvas surface to determine a pleasing random layout.
2. Once satisfied, hammer a small pin or nail through the canvas just above each balloon knot:
3. The nail acts as a miniature hook.
4. This should puncture the balloon 'tail' and not touch the inflated part of the balloon.
5. Space the balloons however you'd like.

Keep going until your board looks like a colorful constellation of paint bombs.

1. Prop the board upright against a hedge, fence, or easel.
2. Lay down plastic tarps on the ground beneath it.
3. Set out darts nearby.

Optional: Place a floodlight or string lights nearby if doing this at night — the splatter looks magical.

This is where the art happens!

1. Everyone takes turns throwing darts at the balloons.
2. When a dart hits, the balloon bursts and paint splatters down the canvas, creating satisfying drips and arcs.
3. The painting evolves unpredictably — you get splashes, waterfalls, spiderwebs, and drips.
4. Keep going until all balloons are popped.

1. Step back and admire the final artwork: a wild, expressive, multi-colored drip painting.
2. Leave the canvas upright to allow the drips to finish falling.
3. Remove popped balloon pieces once dry.
4. Let canvas dry overnight.

Save it as a modern art masterpiece! You can reuse this canvas again and again to create layers or set up the canvas in different directions to have the drips going in various ways.