Watercolour Fun with Salt Painting for Kids

The humble salt in your kitchen can create one of the most exciting and simple art activities for your kids. It’s artistic, inexpensive and can keep kids engaged for hours. What’s more, the absorption property of salt can give a mini science lesson to the little ones! An art activity that never fails to impress and amuse, this is something that you must try with your kids when planning the next painting session. 

What is Salt Painting?

Salt painting is an easy art process where children draw with glue, sprinkle salt on the glue, and then gently touch watercolour or diluted paint to the salted lines. The colour spreads along the salt crystals, creating a bright, textured effect.

Why it is great for preschoolers

Salt painting activity with kids is not just pretty artwork. It helps kids in many different ways. It helps the kids strengthen their hand muscle movements while squeezing glue and handling brushes. Children see real science in action as colours travel through the salt. Experimenting with colour mixing, texture and patterns builds their confidence and curiosity. It also encourages patience, focus and sensory play, all while keeping the experience light and enjoyable.

What do you need to do Salt Painting

Here’s a simple list of materials needed for the salt painting activity:

1. Thick chart paper or cardboard 

2. White liquid glue like Fevicol 

3. Table salt 

4. Watercolours or liquid food colours 

5. Paintbrushes or droppers

6. Small cups or palettes to mix the colours with water

7. Tray or newspaper to catch extra salt

8. Paper towels for drying brushes and cleaning

The below watercolours are perfect for the salt activity with kids and of course, they can be used for many other kids’ painting activities as well.

Salt Painting for Kids- Basic Steps

Here are the steps for the fun art: 

1. On a thick sheet of paper or cardboard, draw some simple art- like a star or a simple mandala. Make sure the drawing has some crisscrossing lines to keep it interesting and colourful. You can draw any abstract pattern or letter also. 

2. Next ask the kid to put white glue over the drawing. 

3. Let the glue dry just a little and then ask the child to pour salt over it. 

4. Once the salt dries up, dust off the extra on another piece of paper. Do not waste this salt; store it in a separate jar for your next session of salt painting. 

5. Now comes the most fun part of the activity- using a paintbrush or dropper, let the child gently touch watercolour paint (or diluted food colour) to the salted glue lines. The colour spreads along the salt crystals, creating a beautiful tie-dye effect.

The Science & Art Behind Salt Painting

Salt painting activity is a very simple way of explaining capillary action in plants to small kids.  When kids touch the wet paints to the salted glue line, the salt pulls the liquid along its crystals. The paint travels through tiny gaps between the grains, almost like water climbing up the roots of a plant. It’s amazing how this kid’s activity can explain a complex science process in such a simple manner!

Apart from the science lessons, children also get lessons in art and creativity from the salt painting. When kids touch watercolour to the glue lines, it moves along the lines creating a bright, textured look. This helps the kids experiment and see how colours behave. 

We love this Pinterest Board! Check it out:

Salt Painting for Kids- Handy Tips

A salt painting session with kids is extremely delightful. To keep it mess-free and simple, follow these simple tips:  

• Use thick paper so it absorbs water well and doesn’t get soggy or tear.

• Add very little water to your colours for brighter and better results.

• Allow sufficient time for the glue to dry a little before you start adding colours to the patterns/drawings. If the glue lines are too runny, the salt won’t stick well.

• Make sure that you shake off the extra salt over a tray before painting.

• Touch the colour gently to the salt line and watch it spread. This will keep the activity smooth and less messy.

Precautions for Salt painting Activity

Before you begin, keep a few simple precautions in mind to make the salt painting activity safe and smooth.

• Kids tend to squeeze too much; guide them to make thin lines.

• Once coloured, don’t touch the artwork - it can smudge easily.

• Keep the paintings on a flat surface to dry overnight, so colours don’t run.

• Cover the work area with newspapers for easy after-cleaning.

• Small kids might try to taste the salt, so be there to supervise.

Check out this example of Salt Painting Activity: https://www.smallhandsbigart.com/salt-painting/

Putting It All Together

Salt painting for kids is a process art where the focus is on enjoying and learning from the process and not on perfecting the art itself. It’s safe, sensory, and hands-on. Children experiment, observe, and enjoy the visual magic while learning a complex scientific concept in a creative and artistic way! Blending creativity and curiosity, this art is exactly what early learning aims for.

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If you liked this art activity, check out our Free Q-Tip Painting Worksheets and the Article on how to do Q-Tip Painting with a preschool child.

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