purposeful play
Epsom Salt Painting
Adding Epsom salt to paint is a fantastic way to explore science and art together!
When you paint with Epsom salt the end result is absolutely magical! As Epsom salt paint dries it leaves a crystallized diamond like effect.
The effect occurs after the water evaporates from the Epsom salt leaving beautiful ice like crystals!
materials
Epsom salt
Paint cups
Paint brushes
Water
Food coloring
Thick paper
Purpose
Open ended art exploration
Painting with different textures
Engages creativity
Explores cause and effect
Strengthens fine motor skills
Experiment with color mixing
Explore science concepts-what does Epsom salt do? How does it make the paint change? What did the paint look like when it was wet vs what did it look when it was dry.
epsom salt painting
Shop This Project!
epsom salt painting
Directions
Boil 1 cup of water
Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to the hot water and stir until dissolved
Pour epsom salt water into paint cups or bowls
Add food coloring
Invite your child to paint with the colored epsom salt water
After your child is finished, watch as the paint dries (I promise-it’s more fun that it sounds!) Talk about what you see as the paint dries.
After the paint has dried, talk about how the painting has changed. Are there things that stayed the same?
Talk about how the water in the Epsom salt has evaporated and left behind crystals.
