Get started with a fun fall theme and simple to set up salt painting activity for kids! Any theme, any season, all you need is a little imagination, and glue, and salt! Even if your kiddos aren’t the crafty type, every kid loves to paint with salt and watercolor or food coloring. Combine a bit of science and art with this easy absorption process. We love fun, hands-on fall art activities for kids!

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LEAF PAINTING WITH SALT

Get ready to add this simple fall leaf painting project to your art activities this season. If you want to find out how to use salt in a watercolor painting, read on! While you’re at it, make sure to check out more fun fall activities.

Our art activities are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home!

WHY ADD SALT TO A WATERCOLOR PAINTING?

Do you know watercolor salt painting is both science and art, but what’s the science?

Salt is a really useful product that has the ability to absorb moisture from its environment. Its ability to absorb water is what makes salt a good preservative. This property of absorption is called hygroscopic. 

Hygroscopic means that salt absorbs both liquid water (the watercolor paint mixture) and water vapor in the air. Observe how the salt absorbs the watercolor mixture below with your raised leaf salt painting.

Is sugar hygroscopic like salt? Why not try sugar for a fun science experiment and compare the results!

ALSO CHECK OUT: Star Salt Painting For Kids

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LEAF PAINTING WITH SALT

TIPS: Stiff paper is recommended for your leaf salt painting instead of computer paper or construction paper. Look for mixed media or watercolor type paper. You can also use a simple food coloring and water mixture instead of the watercolors suggested below!

Looking for easy to print art activities?

We have you covered…

Click below for your FREE Leaf Template Projects.

YOU WILL NEED:

  • White PVA school glue or craft glue
  • Salt
  • Watercolor paint palette
  • Water
  • White card-stock or watercolor paper
  • Paintbrush
  • Leaf Template
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HOW TO MAKE LEAF PAINTING WITH SALT

STEP 2. Print or draw your leaf template onto cardstock and then outline the leaf with glue.

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STEP 2. Sprinkle salt over the glue as you would with glitter. Tap the paper to settle the salt into any grooves. Then gently lift the paper and shake to remove any excess salt.

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STEP 3. Dip the paintbrush in water and blend with the watercolor to soften. Saturate the paintbrush with watercolor. Then, gently touch the paintbrush to the salt. Watch how the color will spread!

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STEP 4. Allow the picture to dry completely before displaying or gifting.

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MORE FUN FALL ART ACTIVITIES

LEAF SALT PAINTING FOR FALL

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Printable Fall Art Project Pack

Everything you need is included in this Fall Art Project Pack. Just add art supplies! Perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy with a variety of techniques. Whether in the classroom, at home, or with groups, there is a fantastic variety of art activities to try!

Find all the instructions and templates necessary for over 40 art projects this Fall.

Apples, pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, and Thanksgiving!

Explore process art, STEAM, and even famous artists with these very doable art activities that won’t break the budget or the time you have available!