Cool Art Project for Kids: Firework Salt Painting

Are you are looking for an awesome art project to do with your kids? You have found it!

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. firework salt painting

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. Rainbow Dash coloring pages

We only had art once a week but it was always my absolute favorite class. I am still an artist today but there is something about kids art projects that is so relaxing and fun. I chose to do fireworks for 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!

Before we get to the art project, Rachel wanted to share a few tips she’s learned as a former teacher and a mom of six. Art is great for kids but moms screw it up all the time (me included). I want to make sure you and your kids have a great experience with this.

1. 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.
2. Focus on the process. Art should be fun, especially when kids are involved. Keep things light. 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.
3. 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. ever free coloring

MATERIALS NEEDED
- Table Salt
- Paper (black really makes the colors pop)
- watercolors (We love this set. It has some great color choices)
- brushes
- White Glue
- Cookie Sheet
- Optional: You could also use food coloring and an eye dropper instead of watercolors if you’d like.

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 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.