Sep 13, 2026

Salt Crystal Painting for Kids: An Easy Step-by-Step Craft

How to Make Salt Crystal Paintings with Kids

If you need a kids’ activity that uses things you probably already have in the cupboard, and looks far more impressive than the effort involved, try salt crystal painting.

You draw a picture in glue, cover it in salt, then touch watercolour paint to the salt and watch the colour race along the lines. It’s part art activity, part tiny science experiment and, yes, part why is there salt absolutely everywhere?

But it’s easy, screen-free and genuinely fascinating to watch. Exactly our kind of craft.

What is salt crystal painting?

Salt crystal painting (also called raised salt painting) uses ordinary table salt to turn a simple glue drawing into colourful, textured artwork.

The best part is adding the colour. Rather than painting backwards and forwards, kids gently dab watery paint onto the salt and watch it spread through the crystals. No two pictures turn out exactly the same, which also makes this a lovely activity for kids who get stuck trying to make their art look “perfect”.

What you’ll need

Thick paper or cardstock: we especially love how the colours look on black card

● A pencil

● PVA or school glue in a squeeze bottle

● Table salt

● Watercolour paints

● A soft paintbrush or pipette/dropper

● A tray, baking sheet or piece of scrap paper to catch the extra salt

A quick note: This one can get a little messy. Put the card on a tray before you begin and you’ll save yourself from finding salt under the toaster three days later.

How to make a salt crystal painting

1. Draw your picture

Use a pencil to lightly draw a simple design onto the card. Pictures with clear outlines work best.. try a rainbow, flower, butterfly, heart, dinosaur, jellyfish or your child’s name.

You can also skip the pencil and draw straight from the glue bottle if your child is feeling bold.

2. Trace the lines with glue

Carefully squeeze the glue over the pencil lines. You want a continuous, slightly raised line rather than a very thin smear.

Try not to make huge puddles of glue, but don’t worry about getting every line perfect. The wonky bits are usually where the most interesting colour mixing happens.

3. Add the salt

While the glue is still wet, sprinkle a generous layer of salt over the entire design. Make sure every bit of glue is completely covered.

Give it a moment to stick, then gently tip the card over the tray or scrap paper to remove the excess. You can pour the leftover salt back into a container and use it for another picture… just don’t return it to the kitchen cupboard once it has been introduced to glue.

4. Add the colour

Mix your watercolours with plenty of water. Load a soft brush with colour, then gently touch it to the salted glue lines.

Don’t brush or scrub. Just dab and let the salt do the work.

The colour will travel through the salt crystals, and kids can add another colour nearby to watch them meet and blend. This is the bit that feels a little bit magical.

A pipette or dropper also works well, but use tiny drops so the card doesn’t become soaked.

5. Leave it to dry

Place the finished painting somewhere flat and leave it to dry completely. Depending on how enthusiastic everyone was with the glue and water, this may take several hours or overnight.

Once dry, move it gently. Some salt may flake off, which is completely normal.

Why does the colour travel through the salt?

The watery paint moves between the tiny salt crystals through capillary action. It’s the same process that helps water travel through a paper towel or up a plant stem.

That makes this a very easy STEAM activity: kids are creating a piece of art while experimenting with absorption, colour mixing and the way liquids move through small spaces.

Tips for less mess and better results

● Use thick cardstock rather than printer paper so it can handle the glue and water.

● Put the card on a tray before opening the salt.

● Keep designs fairly simple, especially for younger children.

● Use plenty of salt so the glue is fully covered.

● Make the watercolour quite wet, then dab it onto the salt instead of painting along the line.

● Start with two or three colours and watch what happens where they meet.

● Leave the artwork flat until it is completely dry.

● Supervise younger children and remind them that the salty-looking art supplies are not for eating.

Salt painting ideas to try

Once you’ve tested the basic version, try:

● A night sky with stars and a moon on black card