Salty Glue Painting

Ages 3 years+ with adult assistance

Salt painting is a fun process art activity to do with kids and you probably have all the materials already.
 It’s easy to set up, not too messy and the results are pretty. It’s also really fun to watch the watercolors run along the salt as you paint!

We used index cards for painting as they are small enough to fit two on a plate.  We kept a paper bowl on hand as a brush holder. Concentrated water color paints and plastic pipette (droppers) can be used in place of the palette paints and brushes.  

Use separate containers for colors, and mix a small amount of water with the concentrate. The less water the brighter the color will be.

Instructions:

Step 1. Using the plate as the work surface, lay out the cardstock on the plate. Spread the glue on the cardstock. Thinner lines are better for seeing the design at the end, but younger children will enjoy squeezing the glue.  

Step 2.  Pour salt onto the glue, enough so that the glue is covered.

Step 3. Remove the excess salt by holding up the cardstock over the plate and gently shaking.

Step 4:  Begin painting the salt.  Dip the brush into the water and then the paint.  Lightly touch the brush to the salt to transfer the color to the salt.  If using droppers, add a drop or two of paint to the salt.  Colors will begin to spread out.

Step 5:  Allow the glue and paint to dry.  Salt can be re-used for another project.