Salt Painting
A fun and engaging art activity that blends creativity with science, creating vibrant textured artwork using simple household materials.
Ingredients
Materials for Salt Painting
- 1 bottle White school glue or liquid PVA glue Clear-drying for best results
- 1 cup Table salt Fine or coarse
- 1 set Watercolor paints or liquid watercolors Can substitute with food coloring or diluted acrylic paint
- 1 sheet Thick paper or cardstock For the glue design
- 1 tray Baking tray or plate To catch excess salt
- 2 Paintbrushes For applying watercolor
- 2 Plastic or paper cups For mixing colors
- 1 Spoon Optional, for mixing colors
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your materials on a flat surface.
- Lay down newspaper or a plastic sheet to protect your workspace.
Creating the Glue Design
- Use the glue to write or draw a design on the thick paper. Be creative! Outline images, draw shapes, or write words.
- Apply the glue generously for better salt adherence.
Sprinkling the Salt
- Immediately after applying glue, sprinkle salt over the entire design.
- Shake off the excess salt onto a baking tray or plate.
- Notice the rough texture of the salt as it coats the glue.
Applying the Watercolor
- Use a brush to dip into liquid watercolor or watercolor paint.
- Gently touch the brush to the salt-covered glue and watch the colors spread and blend!
- Experiment with different colors and areas of the design.
Letting It Dry
- Allow your artwork to dry completely, which may take several hours.
- Once dry, you can shake off extra salt if desired.
Notes
For variations, try using neon colors, textured papers, adding glitter, or combining techniques with other art styles. Store leftover materials in airtight containers for future use. Supervise young children during the activity due to small materials and water usage.