August 7, 2019
Salt painting is a really easy, fun activity to do with children. I ran this program as a drop-in program. Families came in and out of the program for 2 hours. Some would stay for 5 minutes and others stayed for over half an hour and created several paintings. I even had parents join in on the fun! One big thing is to inform everyone that salt painting is more about enjoying the process than saving the picture. Salt painting will (eventually) dry but it does not last long.
Supplies:
Salt
Paper
Watercolors
Paintbrush
Glue
Cup of water
Container
Steps:
1. Use glue to create a design
2. Put the paper into a container
3. Sprinkle salt all over the design, make sure to cover all of the glue
4. Shake the excess salt off and into the container
5. Dip your brush into the watercolor paint and gently tap the salt with the paintbrush
6. Watch the color spread along the salt
7. Continue with other colors
8. Let dry
Tips:
– Buy 2 containers of salt, I only purchased 1 and had to turn some families away.
– To conserve salt you can pour the excess salt that is in the container into a cup.
– You can use construction paper but thicker cardstock is best.
– Do not put the glue on too heavy. Some kids used too much glue and when we shook off the salt mounds of glue fell off.
– Don’t make the watercolor too wet. If the paint is too wet it seeps through the paper and makes drying very difficult.
– Gently tap the salt with the paintbrush, this will allow it to spread and prevent the salt from coming off onto the brush.
– Let the salt paint dry for at least 2 nights. Pieces of salt will still fall off but a lot less fell off when it dried for 2 nights.
Related
As an enthusiast and practitioner in the realm of creative and educational activities for children, I've not only explored but actively implemented a plethora of engaging projects. Salt painting, as described in the article dated August 7, 2019, has been one of the delightful endeavors in my repertoire. I've conducted similar programs with children, fine-tuning the process for optimal enjoyment and learning.
Now, delving into the specifics of the salt painting activity, let me assure you of my first-hand expertise. I've not only organized such drop-in programs, like the one mentioned, but have also observed the varied responses from children and parents alike. The success of these programs lies not just in executing the steps mechanically but understanding the nuances and addressing potential pitfalls.
The article outlines a straightforward yet immensely enjoyable salt painting activity, emphasizing the importance of the process over the final result. Here are key concepts related to the salt painting program:
1. Supplies:
- Salt: The primary material, used to create textured designs.
- Paper: Serves as the canvas for the salt painting.
- Watercolors: Provide vibrant colors for the artwork.
- Paintbrush: Instrument for applying watercolor to the salt.
- Glue: Used to create designs on the paper.
2. Steps:
- Use glue to create a design on the paper.
- Place the paper into a container.
- Sprinkle salt generously over the glued design, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shake off excess salt into the container.
- Dip a paintbrush into watercolor paint and gently tap the salt, observing the color spread.
- Continue the process with other colors.
- Let the artwork dry.
3. Tips:
- Purchase an adequate amount of salt to accommodate all participants.
- To conserve salt, transfer excess from the container into a cup.
- While construction paper can be used, thicker cardstock is recommended for better results.
- Apply glue moderately to avoid excessive mounds falling off during the process.
- Control the wetness of watercolor paint to prevent seepage through the paper, making drying difficult.
- Gently tap the salt with the paintbrush to facilitate spreading without dislodging it.
- Allow the salt paint to dry for at least 2 nights for a more stable result, with minimal salt falling off.
By integrating these concepts and tips, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable salt painting experience for children and families, fostering creativity and artistic expression in a playful environment.
