Today we have the coolest salt painting art project that works great for kids of all ages to make the most colorful, magical and 3D artwork using glue, salt and watercolor paints. This salt on watercolor art project works great at home or in the classroom. It makes a great STEAM project too!

Salt Painting for Kids

Since my daughter was a preschooler, we’ve thrown ourselves head over heels into process art. We do our best to focus on the process, the fun of doing, instead of the finished artwork, although it’s absolute magic when the two come together as it did with this salt drawing turned into a salt art masterpiece!

Last weekend it was just too wet and cold to venture out so Molly got busy in the kitchen with some salt art experimenting. Here is how we made our salt art projects.

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Salt Art for Kids

Watch Our Short Video Tutorial on Making Salt and Watercolor Art

Art Supplies Needed for Salt Art

• pencil
• table salt
• craft glue
• watercolor paint – liquid watercolors or watered down poster or acrylic paint
• heavy white and colored paper (darker colors work best to contrast with the paint colors)
• paintbrushes or pipettes

Lay your paper on an oilcloth, newspaper or baking tray, to minimize cleanup later!!

Steps to Making Salt and Watercolor Art

Step 1 – Draw Your Picture

Molly wanted to draw a glue picture instead of go wild with shapes and patterns, so she decided to practice her character first…. introducing ‘Hat Man’

The impression of the pencil drawing came through to the page underneath so she used this to go over with the glue.

Step 2 – Squeeze Glue Over Picture Outline

I made a mistake here by giving her a paint brush and glue pot – the results would be SO much better if I had a small glue squeeze bottle for her to simply drip the paint over the lines.

Step 3 – Sprinkle Salt on Glue Liberally

Grab the table salt and sprinkle sprinkle sprinkle – be generous!

Once all the glue is covered with salt lift up the page and shake off the excess.

Our Experience: Now sadly this is where we say goodbye to ‘Hat Man’ as poor Molly, in her enthusiasm, let the page slip out of her hands during the shaking and it fell into the bin! very disgustedly, after all her hard work, she had to start over – mommy had to help sell that idea! SO she took the bait and had even more fun creating a pretty swimming mermaid…

Step 4 – Paint with Watercolor Paint

When adding watercolor paint to the salt, you only need to drop  a little  color in one spot and it spreads along the salt, where it stops nobody knows! –   that’s the magic of salt art.

What Happens to the Salt & Color in Salt ARt

The salt crystallizes and sparkles  – it’s pretty special. Take a picture quick!

Sat art is all about the process as the pictures are not built to last.

The colors will fade a little as the painting dries and the salt will crumble and fall off the page as it dries. SO take lots of photos of your little one’s creations for their memories.

More Art Projects for Kids from Kids Activities Blog

• Let’s make math art inspired by the artist, Klee.
• These really cool process art projects are great for preschool artists!
• Let’s make really awesome shadow art!
• These awesome art projects for kids allow you to take your favorite art outdoors.
• Marbled milk paper makes some really colorful and patterned artwork.
• Make your own chalk paint recipe.
• We have so many easy ways how to make paint!
• Check out these rock painting ideas for kids.
• Canvas painting ideas for kids…adults too if you are looking for a good place to start.
• How to make watercolor paint.

How did your salt art turn out? What picture did you paint with salt and watercolors?