After having so much fun making our Abstract Salt Art the other day, I thought I would make some summer-themed templates for kids who would rather have a design to follow and make some cute summer art pieces with!
My son and I had so much fun making these salt art pieces together. This craft kept him busy for quite some time and he keeps asking when we can make some more, so I know this one was a hit!
Choose from templates for: a smiley sunshine, rainbow, little crab, fish, butterfly or watermelon – or try them all! These templates also make great coloring pages for littles ones with their bold lines and simple shapes.
Fine Motor Skills Development
This is a great craft for little ones to work on their fine motor skills and also for following the step-by-step process needed to complete the project – first gluing, adding the salt, adding color with touches of the brush to the salt, and then seeing the final result once dry.
Enjoy the Process
This is such a fun craft for little kids who will love the process of making perhaps even more than the finished product! It is a little messy but what good craft isn’t, haha? We like to set up a table in the backyard for the messiest crafts so that the kids can create freely without worrying too much about the mess they’re making.
Preserving the Artwork
A bit of the salt might flake off as the piece dries. If you’d like to keep your child’s piece longer term, a light spray of a fixative should do the trick to help preserve it!
What You Will Need
- template printed on cardstock – scroll to the bottom to grab your free set of 6 templates!
- table salt
- liquid glue
- watercolor paints or food coloring mixed with small amounts of water
- glitter (if using) – I mixed a few shakes of glitter with a bit of salt in a bowl
- paintbrushes
- art fixative (optional)
How to Make It! Summer Salt Art with Template
After you’ve downloaded and printed your template, just follow along below to make some fun and colorful summer salt artwork! Now just try saying that five times fast..
- Add glue to any places you’d like to place the glitter/salt mix – we just did the the clouds for this picture.
2. Spread the glue around with an old paintbrush.
3. Sprinkle glitter/salt mix onto areas with glue.
4. Shake off the excess glitter/salt onto a plate to use for another project. Add glue to other areas of your paper where you’d like to add color. Kids can either leave the glue as-is for more of a puffy-paint effect, or spread it around with a paintbrush if the want a flatter effect.
5. Shake a good amount of salt onto areas with glue so they are completely covered.
6. Shake excess salt off the page onto a plate so you’re left with all the glued areas covered in salt.
7. Using your watercolor paints or food coloring and water mix, touch the brush to the areas with salt and watch the color spread along the lines. Kids will love mixing different colors to see what new colors they can make!
8. Continue adding paint to the salt until all the salted parts are covered. Let dry for a few days before hanging up or spray lightly with an art fixative for more permanence.
What Kids Learn Through This Activity
Kids can learn and practice a surprising number of new skills through the creative process of crafting! Below are a few ideas of the skills they will develop through the process of this salt art craft:
Cognitive Skills
- Following Sequential Instructions: kids learn to complete a project in the correct order
- Planning and Organization: they think ahead about which sections to glue first and how to complete the artwork without smudging.
- Attention and Concentration: completing several steps requires sustained focus over an extended period.
- Problem Solving: kids adjust if they accidentally use too much glue or paint and learn through experimentation.
- Cause and Effect: they observe how the watercolor spreads through the salt crystals, helping them understand simple scientific concepts.
- Observation Skills: watching colors travel and blend encourages close observation and curiosity.
- Creativity and Self-Expression: kids create a unique finished artwork through their own color choices.
Early Learning Skills
- Patience: kids learn that each step needs to be completed before moving on to the next.
- Persistence: finishing a multi-step project encourages kids to persevere.
- Listening Skills: following verbal directions helps kids practice listening.
- Confidence Building: completing a colorful artwork independently gives children a sense of accomplishment.
STEM Learning
A bit of science and craft in one! Kids will learn:
- how salt absorbs water
- how pigments travel through the salt crystals
- how colours mix to create new shades
- how different amounts of water affect the finished result.
Amazing how much little ones will learn through a simple creative task and how wonderful it is to watch them play, learn, and have fun as they create!
Summer Craft Templates for Salt Art – 6 Designs
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