Watercolor Salt Art: A Simple Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Exploring Elmer’s Creations

If you’re a parent like me, you know the importance of having go-to activities that are simple, engaging, and—let’s be honest—won’t send you to Pinterest in a panic. When it comes to finding easy at-home activities that spark joy and creativity in my little ones, I turn to activities like watercolor salt art. It’s fun, it’s messy (in a good way), and it’s an experience that my girls always enjoy.

As a former elementary school teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how hands-on activities can boost creativity and fine motor skills, and this one checks both boxes. Plus, the excitement of drawing with glue and then painting over it with vibrant watercolors? You can’t beat that! So, let’s go!

What You’ll Need for Watercolor Salt Art

Before we get started, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this watercolor salt art. Don’t worry, it’s minimal—perfect for keeping things low-stress and easy at home.

• Elmer’s White School Glue (You can’t go wrong with this classic. It’s reliable, non-toxic, and ideal for crafts like this.)
• Cardstock or heavy paper (Something thick enough to hold up to water and salt without warping.)
• Table salt (It’s just ordinary table salt—nothing fancy needed here.)
• Watercolor paints (You can grab a set of watercolor paints or use liquid watercolor if you have it on hand.)
• Paintbrushes (A small one is fine for toddlers, and larger brushes work better for preschoolers.)

Step-by-Step Guide to Watercolor Salt Art

Here’s the lowdown on how to create your own watercolor salt art masterpiece. Grab your supplies and let’s make some art!

Step 1: Draw with Glue

Start by using Elmer’s White School Glue to draw a fun design or pattern on your cardstock. This could be anything from squiggly lines to shapes or even a simple picture like a tree, sun, or animal. Roo and Mo absolutely loved this part—they were so into creating their own little doodles and squiggles. You can either squeeze the glue directly from the bottle or use a craft stick to draw, depending on your kids’ age and fine motor skills. The key is to get a nice, thick layer of glue that will hold the salt in place once it’s applied.

Step 2: Sprinkle Salt

Once your glue designs are complete, it’s time for the magic ingredient: table salt. While the glue is still wet, generously sprinkle the salt over the glue design. You’ll want to cover the glue areas completely, so don’t be shy! As the salt hits the wet glue, it will begin to absorb the moisture and start creating textures that look amazing when painted over. Pro Tip: This part can get a little messy, so if you’re working indoors, consider using an art tray to catch any excess salt.

Step 3: Let the Glue Dry

Now, this is a good time to take a breather. Allow the glue and salt to dry for about 30 minutes. It’s tempting to jump straight into the painting part, but trust me—the salt needs time to stick, and the glue needs to set to get that perfect texture.

Step 4: Paint with Watercolors

This is where the fun really starts. Grab your watercolors and a paintbrush, and get to work! The cool thing about watercolor paint is that it reacts beautifully with the salt, creating an array of interesting textures and color bursts. Don’t worry if things get a little outside the lines—there’s no wrong way to paint with watercolors, especially when you’re creating a one-of-a-kind piece like this.

Why Watercolor Salt Art is a Hit with Toddlers and Preschoolers

You might be wondering why this activity has become a favorite in our house. Well, there are a few reasons why watercolor salt art is so perfect for little ones.

1. It Encourages Creativity: Toddlers and preschoolers thrive when they have opportunities to be creative. With this activity, they get to use their hands to draw, sprinkle salt, and experiment with color—all of which encourage self-expression and artistic exploration. Plus, it’s a great way to see what happens when different materials interact.
2. It’s a Sensory Experience: The feeling of squeezing glue, sprinkling salt, and watching the watercolors spread is both satisfying and sensory-rich. Toddlers especially enjoy activities that engage their senses, and this craft hits that sensory sweet spot. From the texture of the glue to the absorption of the salt, there’s a lot to explore.
3. It’s Easy and Fun to Set Up: As a busy mom, I appreciate activities that don’t require a lot of prep. With watercolor salt art, you can set everything up in just a few minutes. It’s one of those easy at-home activities that’s simple to do but keeps the kids occupied for a good amount of time.
4. It’s Great for Fine Motor Skills: From squeezing the glue to carefully painting within the lines (or not), this activity strengthens fine motor skills in a fun and organic way. It’s also fantastic for hand-eye coordination as your toddler or preschooler learns to manipulate different tools to create something special.

Where to Find More Ideas for Easy at-Home Activities

If your kids are anything like mine, once they experience a craft like this, they’ll want to try more hands-on activities that allow them to get creative. That’s where Elmer’s Creations comes in. Elmer’s is the ultimate resource for craft and activity inspiration, offering tons of ideas to spark creativity using Elmer’s products like White School Glue and Coloring and Craft Glue.

When it comes to easy at-home activities, Elmer’s Creations has tons of suggestions that are perfect for keeping your little ones entertained. So, if you’ve enjoyed this watercolor salt art project, be sure to check out the website (link in bio) for more ideas that make crafting with kids even easier.

Final Thoughts on Watercolor Salt Art

In the end, watercolor salt art is one of those simple, memorable activities that you’ll find yourself coming back to time and time again. It’s not only a creative outlet for your kids, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together as a family. Plus, it’s the perfect way to give your toddler or preschooler the chance to experiment with textures, colors, and art in an exciting and hands-on way.

The best part? It’s a no-stress, easy at-home activity that fits perfectly into even the busiest of days. So the next time you’re looking for a fun and creative craft idea for your little ones, reach for Elmer’s White School Glue and give this watercolor salt art a try!

White Cardstock

Art Trays

Elmer’s White School Glue

Paintbrushes

Watercolors