Create Snowy Salt Paintings

If using regular watercolors is getting a little dry, here's a fun technique to liven things up: use salt to create a beautiful snow painting with unique crystal texture! All you need are crayons, table salt, and water to get started. When finished, your child will have a great snow picture that he can cut snow-flakes or designs from and hang as added decoration for the holiday season.

Note: Though the project calls for Epsom salt, table salt or rock salt can be used instead.

What You Need:

• Dark construction paper such as purple and blue
• Crayons
• Paintbrushes
• 4 tablespoons Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot water
• Small cups or bowls
• Spoons
• Covered table

What You Do:

1. Mix one-quarter cup hot water with four tablespoons of Epsom salt. Stir the mixture to dissolve.
2. Draw freely with the crayons on the dark construction paper.
3. Brush the drawing with the salt mixture. Stir the salt water each time a brush is dipped into the container to keep the brush full of very salty water.
4. Dry the painting completely.

Now brush the salt crystals off the paper, and hang it up!