Salt Painting Watercolor Glue Art
Draw with glue, sprinkle salt, then touch liquid watercolor to watch color creep along the salt lines — a magical sensory art technique with stunning results.
What You'll Need
- 1White school glue (squeeze bottle)
- 2Table salt
- 3Thick paper or cardstock
- 4Liquid watercolor or food coloring
- 5Small cups
- 6Paintbrushes or droppers
What You'll Need
White school glue in a squeeze bottle
Table salt
Thick paper or cardstock
Liquid watercolor or food coloring diluted in water
Small cups
Paintbrushes or droppers
How to Play
Squeeze glue onto thick paper in a design — names, shapes, or abstract patterns. Make thick lines.
Immediately shake salt over the entire paper, coating all the glue.
Tilt the paper to dump off the loose salt. The glue lines are now covered in salt.
Mix liquid watercolor or diluted food coloring in cups.
Dip a brush or dropper into color and gently touch it to the salt lines.
Watch the magic — color creeps along the salt, following every curve of the design.
Let dry completely. The result is raised, sparkly, and crystalline.
Tips
The color spreads by capillary action — the same principle that makes water travel up a paper towel.
Use droppers rather than soaking the salt. Too much liquid dissolves the salt and ruins the effect.
Multiple colors on the same line blend beautifully where they meet.
The dried texture is genuinely satisfying to touch — bumpy, crystalline, and slightly rough.
This technique works for any design: names, rainbows, snowflakes, or abstract art. Results are consistently impressive.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: white school glue (squeeze bottle), table salt, thick paper or cardstock, liquid watercolor or food coloring, small cups, and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 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 activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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 25 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.