Raised salt painting

Draw with glue, cover it in salt, then touch it with watercolor and watch the color race along the lines.

LevelBeginner

AgesAges 5 to 10

Time30 minutes plus overnight drying

Cost$2 to $6

Rainy day Groups Dollar store

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Heavy paper or cardstockFind it →
White school glue in a squeeze bottleFind it →
Table salt
Liquid watercolors or food coloring mixed with water

Tools

Paintbrush or dropperFind it →
Baking tray

Find it links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How we make money

How to make it

1
Draw with glue
Draw a picture in thick glue lines on the paper. Snowflakes, fireworks and names work great.
2
Cover with salt
Set the paper in a tray. Pour salt over the glue until every line is covered.
3
Shake off extra
Tip the paper and tap off the loose salt.
4
Touch with color
Dip a brush in watercolor and touch it to a salty line. Don't brush. Watch the color travel.
5
Dry it flat
Let it dry flat overnight. It stays bumpy and sparkly.

Edie's tip

The salt soaks up water like a tiny sponge. That's why the color moves on its own.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

More kids projects

Make this next

Handprint reindeer card

Handprint reindeer card

A Christmas card where your kid's hand turns into a reindeer, with fingers for antlers and a bright red nose.

Beginner30 minutes plus 20 minutes drying$2 to $6

Coffee filter heart suncatchers

Coffee filter heart suncatchers

Color coffee filters with markers, spray them with water, and watch the colors bleed into a stained-glass heart.

Beginner40 minutes plus 30 minutes drying$2 to $5

Apple stamp prints

Apple stamp prints

Cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, and stamp apples with a star hiding in the middle.

Beginner30 minutes$2 to $5