Rainbow Salt Tray Finger Drawing
Layer colored paper under a tray of salt, then draw in the salt to reveal rainbow colors underneath — an erasable art surface.
What You'll Need
- 1Shallow tray or baking sheet
- 2Table salt
- 3Colorful or rainbow-striped paper
- 4Optional: small rake or comb
What You'll Need
A shallow tray or baking sheet with a rim
Table salt (about 1 cup)
Colorful paper or rainbow-striped paper to line the tray bottom
Optional: a small rake, comb, or stick for drawing
How to Play
Place a sheet of colorful paper at the bottom of a shallow tray. Rainbow-striped paper works beautifully, but any bright paper will do.
Pour a thin, even layer of white salt over the paper. You want just enough to hide the colors — about a quarter inch deep.
Show your child how to drag one finger through the salt. The colored paper pops through wherever the salt is pushed aside.
Let your child draw freely — shapes, letters, swirly designs, their name, faces, anything.
To erase, gently shake the tray from side to side. The salt slides back into place and covers the drawing.
Draw and erase endlessly. There is no paper used up, no paint drying out, no materials running low.
Try drawing with different tools — a comb makes parallel lines, a stick makes thin precise marks, a finger makes thick soft lines.
Tips
This is a wonderful pre-writing activity. Children practice letter shapes in a low-pressure way because every attempt can be instantly erased.
The sensory experience of dragging fingers through salt is calming and regulating. Many children find this activity soothing.
Use colored salt for an extra visual pop — shake salt in a bag with a few drops of food coloring and let it dry.
Place the tray on a towel to catch any salt that escapes. Salt is easy to sweep but annoying if it gets everywhere.
Keep the salt tray assembled and ready to go. It is a perfect quiet time activity you can pull out in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: shallow tray or baking sheet, table salt, colorful or rainbow-striped paper, optional: small rake or comb.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 2-4 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 20 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.