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Investigating Salt Water in Homeschooling:
This is a simple and fun painting craft using salt and watercolours!
We did this easy activity as part of our inquiry into Ocean Life last year, learning about the difference between salt and fresh large bodies of water.
My kids loved doing this freestyle watery painting and then getting to sprinkle it with table salt. It left a textured feel to the painting, as well as altering the colours while the salt dried on the wet paper.
As a side note, we live near James Bay, Northern Ontario, and the river not far from our house is mostly fresh water. However, because it flows into James Bay (which is connected to the Arctic Ocean) and has some tidal changes, it carries back some salinity to our community area.
If you read a previous post on “Exploring Salt Water Density: Homeschooling Egg Experiment”, you might already see or understand a little of the relationship between salt and water. This egg experiment was to test the different levels of density in each of these water glasses, and compare it to the egg’s own density.
(Spoiler alert, the kids made an egg float in salted water!)
Educational Videos: A little more about Salt and Saltwater!
Where Does Salt Come From?
Why The Ocean Needs Salt:
How to Make a Salt Water Painting:
Supplies Needed:
- Watercolours Paints (you can also use food colouring and water, or watered down other paints)
- Paintbrushes
- Tray
- White Cardstock Paper
- Table Salt
- Spray Bottle with water
- Flat surface to let pictures dry
Directions:
1. Put white card stock paper on tray.
2. Paint picture as desired with ocean colours (or more!)
3. Sprinkle table salt over the painting.
4. Spray paper with water to help the salt dissolve a little and alter the colours.
5. Let painting completely dry, then gently brush off the extra salt and enjoy the results!
Made this Activity?
I’d LOVE to see your results!! Feel free to post to your social media account and tag Northbird using one of the links below or post in the comments!
Check out these other Ocean Crafts and Activities!
Hi, I’m Jessie!
I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.
Read more about my story HERE.
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Salt Water Painting Activity
This is a fun way to paint using salt and watered down paints! Our kids loved the texture the salt left on the paper, as well as the way the salt affected the way their pictures turned out!
Ingredients
Directions
- Put white card stock paper on tray.
- Paint picture as desired with ocean colours (or more!)
- Sprinkle table salt over the painting.
- Spray paper with water to help the salt dissolve a little and alter the colours.
- Let painting completely dry, then gently brush off the extra salt and enjoy the results!
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