Are you are looking for an awesome art project to do with your kids? You have found it! This Firework Salt Painting Project is a favorite with kids and it looks AMAZING when it is done! As a work at home mom, I’m always looking for fun (and easy) art projects to do with my kids and this one was a huge hit.
Bonus: This one is also super simple. This firework salt painting project is one of our favorite projects to do with kids and it looks so cool when it’s done. Combine it with our 4th of July Flag Magnet Craft and you’ve got some great kid-made holiday decor ready to go!
Want 10 more of our favorite art projects for kids? Click here and we will send them.
Laying on the grass, watching the fireworks is such a magical time. You can recreate it with this cool salt painting project. This is the perfect art activity to do with your kids this summer or any other time of the year!
I knew I wanted to do some kind of firework art project, and remembered doing salt paintings in elementary school when I was a kid, so this was kind of nostalgic for me.
We only had art once a week but it was always my absolute favorite class. Katherine is an artist today but there is something about kids art projects that is such a great way to spend time with your kids.
I chose to do fireworks for the Fourth of July but let your kids be creative with it! I can see an outer space or under the sea scene being really awesome as well!
Art is great for kids but moms screw it up all the time (me included).
I’m a mom of six and a former teacher. I’ve seen art done really well with kids and I’ve seen art turn kids (and moms) into a crying mess. I want to make sure you and your kids have a great experience with this. Here’s what I recommend:
- Turn off the perfection. There’s a time and a place for perfection. Doing art with your kids is definitely not one of them. Take a step back, relax, and be ready to just go with it.
- Focus on the process. Art should be fun, especially when kids are involved. Keep things light. Focus on kids art projects that let them be creative. Don’t worry so much about what the end product looks like, just have fun making it. Art is about the experience for kids. They are spending time with you, learning to express themselves, exploring materials. The final product pales in comparison to those things.
- Don’t worry about the mess. Art can get messy. Sure, take some precautions. Lay a cheap plastic tablecloth down on the table and the floor. Have your kids wear old clothes or an art apron. Then just let go. Have fun. The mess can be cleaned up later.
Ready for the salt painting? First we need some materials.
Materials Needed
- Table Salt
- Paper (black really makes the colors pop)
- watercolors (We love this set. It has some great color choices)
- paint brushes
- White Glue (save yourself some hassle and buy it in bulk here)
- Cookie Sheet
Optional: You could also use food coloring and an eye dropper instead of watercolors if you’d like.
Recommended Products
Artists Loft Fundamentals Watercolor Pan Set, 36 ColorsBuy NowArtist’s Loft Fundamentals Art Organizer Tote Bag (Black) and 36 Water Color Pan Set (Bundle Pack)Buy NowElmer’s Liquid School Glue, Washable, 1 Gallon, 1 CountBuy NowElmer’s Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 2 Bottles (E304)Buy NowCreative Arts by Charles Leonard Stubby Flat Paint Brushes, Assorted Colors, 10/Set (73290)Buy NowRienar White 3ML Disposable Plastic Eye Dropper Set Transfer Graduated Pipettes (20 PCS)Buy NowNeon Purple Green Pink Blue 4-pack Food ColorBuy NowPacon SunWorks Construction Paper, 9-Inches by 12-Inches, 50-Count, White (9203)Buy Now
Salt Painting Instructions
Start by laying your paper on a cookie sheet so the salt doesn’t get all over the place.
Draw out your design with the glue. It works better if you do it thick. If you aren’t comfortable free handing a design, draw it out with a white crayon or colored pencil first.
Next, sprinkle salt over the glue before it dries. Apply generously! You want to get everything covered. Shake off excess salt onto your tray.
Get your watercolors really wet, and lightly paint onto the salt. You can use food coloring and an eye dropper here if you’d prefer. You don’t want to drag it too much or it will mess up the salt. I tried to get my brush extra drippy so I barely had to tap the design. Have fun with colors! It looks great when they bleed together.
Let the project dry completely and you are done! Your kids will love how the salt sparkles when its all dry.
*Over time this project will flake off and won’t last forever, so make sure to take pictures of your kiddos creating!
UPDATE: A reader shared this awesome tip with us. Spray your project with hairspray when you are done to make it last longer.
Don’t have time to plan summer projects?
I totally get it. We have those moments around here more often than I’d like to admit. We have gathered together some of our favorite outdoor toys for summer here.
If you want to craft with your kids, one of my favorite summer boredom busters is Kiwi Crate (and their partner crates for different age groups). They come with everything you need to have some fun with your kids and the projects are always amazing!
My 13-year old LOVED their Chemistry Crate and my tween gets so excited when his Tinker Crate comes every month.
Want more craft ideas for kids? Check out our Kids Art Projects Pinterest Board
Follow Busy Mommy Media’s board kids art projects on Pinterest.
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I have a question. Do you let the glue and salt dry and then paint the salt? Will the colors bleed on the salt or are they pretty static once applied? Thanks…this would be great over a cityscape.
I had the same question, and just noticed that there are actually three pages. The third page answers our question. Here is the address:
http://busymommymedia.com/firework-salt-painting/3/
I hope this helps!
Awe that’s so nice! Thanks!!
I’m so sorry that wasn’t clear. Yes, you can paint the salt while the glue is still dry. A cityscape would look awesome!
My kids are little, so asking them to paint over wet glue gently will be tough. If we let the glue mostly dry first and then apply water color will it still be sparkly? Thank you!
You can skip painting and sprinkle glitter on the wet glue. It still has the 3D effect. You can do the salt version in a year or two.
Spraying the entire, completed, dry picture with hairspray should prolong it’s life. This is done with chalk art and works perfectly.
Use old cheap hairspray and do it outside!
You are trying to replicate finish varnish spray that artists use on acrylic, chalk and other media. Works great but the fumes are strong!
I love Mudge Podge,it works great for stuff like this!
Fire works salt painting has been a absolute joy. Even my Husband got involved. It reminded him of our Route 66 road trips to the southwest. Visiting our friends in Santa Fe, Taos, Chimiyo and Abiquiu New Mexico. My husband Jeff and myself even visit some of our friends living on the reservation never missing an opportunity to purchase some of their new artwork which of course would include Indian Sand Paintings. Thank you again Kathline and Rachel for sharing this creative art project for us to all enjoy. And Carey. During your comment you mentioned doing the salt glue watercolor with a theme of a Cityscape. I hope you do it and share it with the rest of us. Thank you all, Sincerely Janine Kistler Walker.
I am a grandmom and would love to do this with my grandkids, but seriously I want to try for me! Lol
I really think I will let the boys try this one…even though a little messy but that can be kept to a minimum with a little prep work. It would be great fun for them. They just love crafting! (& I’m so glad)
Great idea! I want to do this with my grandsons. One question. What brand of water colors are you showing in your photos and where did you buy them? I would love to have those watercolors.
I have the very same watercolor paint set! I bought it last year (but I just saw it again on Saturday, Sept 17 2016) at Michaels when there art supplies were buy 1 at reg price and get a second one for free. I ended up paying 4.50 for the paint set!
Mary in Oregon
love this craft ust discovered it do you use just kids schoool glue so do you paint after glue is dry or before
also could you use acrylic paints if you dont have watercolors thanks ove this
Wow, lovely site. Thnx ..
I did this with my students every year for at least 30 years. We used glitter, much to the dismay of the custodians. They were our fire works pictures for the July page of our calendar. The kids LOVED it and they always came out beautifully.
Super awesome idea!! My kiddos absolutely love it!! One question though. After putting salt onto the glue the paper looked like it was wet around the glue/salt.. Will that dry or is there a way to avoid that?
That was just an accidental drip from the watercolor when painting. It did dry!
Creative and awesome
This is such a unique idea. I’m obsessed with school supplies and always but waaaay too many at the beginning of the school year. Because of this I have more glue than I know what to do with. I can’t wait to give this a try with my boys!