7 Paint Party Ideas: From Paint and Sip to Fundraising Events
Whether you’re looking for something to do on date night or hosting a kid’s birthday party, finding a theme can be challenging. There are so many great options, it can be hard to settle on one. But there’s one option that works for a variety of occasions: a paint party!
This list has paint party ideas for decor, food, and fun no matter what type of event you’re hosting. Plus, you’ll find fun and festive invites to match each party idea so your guests can start dreaming up their own masterpiece.
Paint Party Ideas: 7 Ideas for a Picture-Perfect Time
Paint parties are great for all ages. Whether you’re three, 30, or going on 90, it’s fun to get friends together to create a new work of art. From paint and sip events with wine to kid-friendly splatter paint parties, the options are endless. Here are some of our favorite paint party ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
1. Paint and Pour
Design: Nikki Levine
Paint and pour (also called “paint and sip”) parties are all the rage. A night of laughter, friends, and a little Bordeaux will have you saying “wine not?!” Pick up some blank canvases and stock up on paints – acrylic paints are the best choice for stretched canvas painting. You can have each attendee create the image of their dreams or pick a theme or tutorial so you all create your own take on the same image.
In terms of decor, keep things simple. Add fun party decorations like a DIY paintbrush garland or paint splatter confetti for tablescapes. For food, stick to items that complement wine including charcuterie. Take things to the next level by serving up cheese, crackers, and cold cuts on a painted charcuterie board that doubles as a work of art.
2. Foot Painting Birthday Party
Design: Shiny Penny Studio
Hosting a birthday party for your little one? Lean into the curious nature of children by letting them paint with their feet, not just their hands!
We know what you’re thinking: this sounds messy. To pull off this paint party idea, host the event outdoors. Use washable paints that are easy to remove and create a clean-up station for the little artists. You can lay out a huge strip of paper on the driveway and then hose it down when you’re done. You can also host the event on the lawn and let the sprinklers wash away the paint after everyone heads home.
Feed the hungry little Picassos with fun treats like adorable (and tasty) Rice Krispies paint brushes. Alternatively, you can dip pretzels into frosting if you don’t want to bother with a recipe. For the birthday cake, consider one in the shape of an artist’s palette or provide plain cupcakes to let the kids decorate their own dessert with a DIY cupcake painting station.
3. Baby Shower Paint Party
Design: Hudson Meet Rose
For one of the more unusual paint party ideas, why not gather your closest friends and family to paint items for your little bundle of joy’s arrival? Perhaps you have ceramic figurines, decorative blankets, or other nursery knick-knacks that could use some creative (and personal) touches.
You can use this theme for your gender reveal party or simply as a theme for your baby shower. For other party activities, consider a cupcake paint palette station where attendees can create their own cupcake (or cookie) design to honor the new addition to the family.
4. Splatter Painting Party
Design: Erika Firm
Want to get in touch with your inner Jackson Pollock? Host a splatter paint party! Like foot painting, this one can get messy so it’s a good idea to protect the painting area. If you’re hosting the event in your home, lay out some plastic to protect the flooring and walls. For an easier setup, host the event outside.
While you can set up individual canvases on easels, another idea is to buy a giant canvas or drywall panel where guests can collaborate and splatter to their heart’s content. (Don’t forget the coveralls!) You could also try a DIY balloon dart paint splash game. Be sure to let folks know about the day’s activities in your online invitations so they dress accordingly.
For food, consider confetti birthday cake, paint splatter pretzel sticks, and anything colorful and fun. Add speckled tablecloths, colorful streamers, and other vibrant elements to finish off your party theme.
5. Housewarming Paint Party
Design: Pedaller Designs (photo courtesy of Julia Kinnunen Photography)
Paint parties are also ideal for housewarming events. Not only can you give friends a tour of your new place, but you can also get them to help with some minor improvements.
Invite friends to paint new works of art that you can hang on your walls. Decide what type of art you want — abstract, modern, or landscape, for example — and have invitees paint something along those lines. You can keep it simple by having them paint small scenes that can fit into a photo frame or go big and let friends design a piece you’ll hang over the fireplace mantle. If you’re sprucing up an older space, your paint party can focus on brightening up a new room with updated hues.
Since this party is centered on creating something for your new space, it’s a good idea to give party favors or gifts to the attendees. Fill mini paint cans with candy, treats, and other goodies that guests can take home with them. You can also choose a special bottle of wine or make a mini gift basket with cheese and chocolates.
6. Fundraising Paint Party
Design: Jackie Crawford
Paint parties don’t have to be all fun and games. They can also be refined and sophisticated, making them ideal if you’re planning a corporate event. Secure a venue at a local art museum or rent a space where you can feature artwork from up-and-coming artists.
Guests can bid on artwork and you can even set up a station where attendees can create their own work of art. To bring in higher donations, offer a one-on-one paint lesson from your event’s featured artist.
You can also offer guests unique paint party favors as a thank you for their contributions. These might include tickets to a specific art museum, art event, or after-hours gallery tour.
7. Arts and Crafts Paint Party
Design: Jen Montgomery
Give your next celebration a crafty twist. Head to the art supply store and gather essentials like paintbrushes, blank canvases, and watercolor paints. If it’s a holiday party, snag supplies to paint such as wooden Christmas trees, snowmen, and ornaments. If you’re planning a Halloween party, you can select figurines in the shapes of bats, pumpkins, and skulls.
Stock up on art party supplies or browse sites like Etsy where you can find decorative items inspired by the greats — Picasso tablecloth and Monet washi tape, anyone? You can also incorporate paint party games. Host a competition where the best painter wins a prize, like premium art supplies or tickets to an upcoming art show.
One of the most fun (and funniest) paint party ideas is to have guests paint while blindfolded. You could also ask guests to draw a portrait of another invitee.
For another fun paint party game, have each person paint one image on a blank canvas and then move one seat to the left. They then add a new component to the existing image. The results are often hilarious, making it a great birthday party idea.
Get Crafty With Your Invitations
At Greenvelope, we have incredible paint party invitations for your next celebration. From DIY paint parties to elegant fundraisers, you’ll find a style to suit your needs. Upload your own design for a unique invitation no one else will have or choose from one of our hand-illustrated options from artists across the globe.
Continue browsing the Stationers blog for more party ideas. From activities and themes to invitation inspiration and party planning checklists, you’re sure to pull off the perfect event.
