How to make a salt painting with your kids

Salt painting is a creative and fun activity that kids of all ages can enjoy. Not only is it easy to do, but it also promotes fine motor skills and creativity. Here's what you'll need and how to make salt paintings with your little ones.

What You'll Need:

Be a financially smart family!

Be a financially smart family!

From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight.

Try Greenlight today

• White school glue

• Salt

• Food coloring or liquid watercolors

• Thick paper or cardstock

• Paintbrushes

• Small containers for mixing colors

Step-by-step instructions

1. Start by drawing a design or picture with the white glue on your chosen paper or cardstock. You can use stencils or templates for younger kids.

2. Sprinkle salt over the glue, making sure to cover all areas.

3. Tap off excess salt and let it dry completely.

4. In small containers, mix a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolors with a teaspoon of water to create different colors.

5. Using paintbrushes, carefully apply the colored water onto the salted design. Watch as the colors spread and blend on the salt crystals.

6. Let the painting dry completely before displaying or framing it.

Tips for a successful salt painting

• Experiment with different amounts of salt to achieve different textures.

• Use dark-colored paper for a more dramatic effect.

• Try mixing in other materials like glitter or small beads for added dimension.

• Encourage kids to use their fingers or other tools to create patterns and designs on the salted glue.

Salt painting: A watercolor technique

For older kids, teens, and adults, salt painting refers to the watercolor painting technique of sprinkling salt onto wet paint to create unique textures and patterns. This can be done on professional watercolor paper or regular paper with watercolor paints. You can paint your design or picture while the paint is still wet, then sprinkle salt onto it. As it dries, the salt will absorb some water and pigment, leaving a beautiful textured effect behind.

Salt painting is a cool art project that allows for experimentation and creativity. So gather your materials and let your imagination run wild with this easy, expressive activity for all ages.