Looking for an EASY science experiment? The easiest is Salt Painting and perfect idea for painting for toddlers for a fall activity.
Can I speak from experience? Listen to me, this is the easiest science and art activity EVER! Our first raised salt painting was an easter egg –> Spring STEAM Science Experiment.
So for us it’s a favorite…I wish you’d try it and agree with me! I have to say I don’t have a messy toddler or preschooler so for us it’s super simple and we love it. When I say we love it, we do a salt painting activity probably at least once a month!
The older she gets the more creative she gets, the less messy this becomes and the more hands free it is for me as the teacher! Isn’t this our goal? I know it’s mine, to have some activities that are engaging, unique, fun and ones she’s asks me to do…not to mention the end goal is to create an activity that she can do herself and give me some free time! Let’s be honest….that is my goal on some activities these days!
As we are approaching fall and the season of pumpkins…I thought it would be fitting to do a fall themed salt painting activity.
What is salt painting?
Salt painting is a fun art technique for toddlers, preschoolers and on up…that uses white glue, salt, and watercolor paints. … Creating a fall pumpkin shaped salt painting is a fun and easy process art technique that is simple and unique. This is why this technique is so intriguing to littles and a perfect activity for painting for toddlers!
Why does salt react with watercolors?
For a little salt painting science…watch the texture increase as the salt absorbs the water around it but leaves the pigment behind. This takes just a few seconds! The chemical reaction leaves light spots where the salt grains landed. … Emphasize that they may wish to paint in steps since the salt MUST be added while the paint is still wet, which I’ll give you that step in the instructions below!
Salt Painting
Items you need:
- Water
- Pencil
- Salt
- Watercolor Paints (our favorite for this activity)
- White Card Stock Paper
- Paint Brush
- Glue (liquid glue, no glue sticks!)
Raised Salt Painting Instructions
1. Teacher/Parent – draw a pumpkin or any design you wish using a pencil on the Card Stock Paper. I free-handed this pumpkin and if I can do it, you can too because I can’t draw to save my life! If your child is old enough or wants to try drawing their own design, let them!!
2. Fine Motor Skills- let your Preschooler trace the drawing using the liquid glue. You’ll want the glue to outline the whole drawing.
3. Next let your preschooler (on a cookie sheet/ tray) sprinkle salt on the glue. Using the cookie sheet/tray really eliminates a bigger mess, trust me!
4. Let your preschooler use the watercolors and paint the salt. They will have to lightly paint it – but it’s a lot of fun! The glue has to be fresh/wet in order for this to work!
5. Once it is dry (which takes a few hours!) shake off the excess salt into the trash can and you’ve got a masterpiece!
Painting for Toddlers
Preschool STEAM Activities are a lot of fun as the early learners are exploring new materials and combining materials. Use this time to ask them questions, discuss the experiment and explore! The older your kids are you can do as the artful parent did and let your child create it’s own design with the glue…they’ll surprise you with their own creativity!
Painting for toddlers is such a great fine motor skill as they build dexterity in their hands. From finger painting to watercolor salt painting and letting them explore. I know, kids can make a mess, but guess what it can be cleaned up and I promise you they’ll remember these activities more than anything. Preschoolers love paints, scissors (supervised!), glue, pasting, drawing…let them…let them be kids and explore through art!
Click here f or more–> Preschool STEAM activities
For more Fall STEM activities:
- 17 Thanksgiving STEM Activities
- Pumpkin Math Preschool Activity
- Letter A – ABC STEAM
- T is for Turkey Preschool Painting
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