Today we have two easy salt painting activities. I love using salt for crafts and activities because it is inexpensive, taste safe, and causes some really cool things to happen. For example, our Colored Salt Painting took on several appearances while we were making it, until it finally dried into a colorful textured work of art. The best part of this process art activity is that everyone’s picture will look completely different. Plus, the salt creates great textures, providing a sensory activity as well.
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Colored Salt Painting
My daughter loved sprinkling salt and watching the colors run into each other. Once we ran out of prepared salt, she requested more because she was having so much fun. When her Salt Art dried she kept running her fingers across her art because it felt so interesting. You can see in the pictures all the different textures. What happens is the water causes the salt to dissolve and spread across the paper. As the water evaporates, the salt crystallizes again on the paper.
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Supplies:
- Coarse salt
- Gel food coloring
(Affiliate Link) - Water
- Paint brush
- Thick craft paper
- Small spoons
- Spray bottle
- Clear finishing spray (Optional)
Directions:
To prep the activity: In a small bowl, mix salt and gel food coloring together with a spoon until all the salt is coated.
Method 1: Use the paintbrush to coat the paper with water then use the spoons to sprinkle the paper with colored salt. Let it dry and brush off the excess salt, or use finishing spray to adhere it to the paper. I brushed most of the excess salt off.
Method 2: Use the spoons to sprinkle the paper with colored salt. Then use the spray bottle to wet the salt and the paper. Again, let it dry and brush off the excess salt, or use finishing spray to adhere it to the paper. I brushed most of the excess salt off.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Painting
Salt painting is an art technique where glue, salt, and liquid paint are used together to create textured designs. It is commonly used as a process art activity for kids.
To do salt painting, kids draw with glue, sprinkle salt over the glue, and then add liquid watercolor paint. The salt absorbs the paint and spreads the color.
Salt painting works because salt absorbs liquid and pulls paint along its surface through capillary action, creating spreading patterns and textured effects.
Updated Dec. 2025
I love the colours you have used here. It's so effective
this is really lovely
Hi Xabz, Thanks so much! Have a great day 🙂