Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Salt Trail Watercolors
Watch watery colors travel along a winding salt trail.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Cardstock, white school glue, table salt, a tray, watercolors and a brush
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Place cardstock in a tray. An adult draws a broad winding line with glue and sprinkles salt over it, then tips excess salt into the tray.
Adult's role: Handle loose salt, offer a lightly wet brush and supervise the painting.
Let's make it happen
- Dip the brush in water and watercolor paint.
- Touch the brush gently to one end of the salty line and watch the color spread.
- Add another color farther along the trail and notice where the colors meet.
Make it simpler: Use one color and touch the brush to a single part of the trail.
Clean up: Discard loose salt, wash the brush and hands, and leave the picture flat to dry.
Glue, paint and craft salt are not for eating. Keep materials away from mouths and eyes and supervise closely.