Watercolor Salt Snowflake Art with Free Printable Template

Creating magical snowflakes with your little ones can be a wonderful blend of art, science, and fun rolled into one activity.

Winter is the perfect time for this easy Glue, Salt and Watercolor Snowflake project that promises to add a sparkle to your day.

Glue, Salt and Watercolor Snowflake Art

What You Need

• White paper or cardstock
• Pencil and ruler – or use our free printable template
• White glue
• Table salt (fine or coarse)
• Watercolor paints or food coloring
• Dropper or a small paintbrush
• A tray or newspapers (to catch the salt!)

How to Create Your Salt and Glue Snowflake

Begin by drawing a snowflake shape on the paper with a pencil. If you’re not confident in your drawing skills, we have a free printable snowflake template for you to download below which you can print, and use as a background to trace with the glue.

If you choose to draw your own snowflake, use a ruler to keep the lines straight, and draw one + then draw one intersecting x, and you will have the base shape for your 6 pointed snowflake, then add little arrows on the points.

Trace over your pencil lines or the template with glue. Try to keep a steady hand to maintain the delicate lines of the snowflake.

Using a squeeze bottle of white PVA glue or school glue is best for this step.

Once the whole snowflake is covered with glue, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step and add color.

Now for the fun part! Sprinkle salt all over the glue. Be generous – it’s okay to get a little messy.

Shake off the excess salt onto the tray or newspaper, so that you’re left with a defined snowflake shape to work with.

Using a dropper or paintbrush, gently drop watercolors or food coloring onto the salt-covered glue lines.

Watch as the colors spread like magic, creating a beautiful, frosty effect.

Let it dry completely. This is a perfect time to talk about patience and observation!

This art concept can be adapted for all kinds of themes and seasons. For example, for st Patricks day do a shamrock salt painting, and so on.

This activity isn’t just about crafting – it’s packed with learning opportunities. As you guide your child through the steps, discuss the unique geometry of snowflakes.

Each one is symmetrical, with arms that mirror each other – no two snowflakes are the same!

Science kicks in when the salt and watercolors meet. The salt absorbs the liquid through a process called capillary action, spreading the color in fascinating patterns. It’s a beautiful way to visualize how water travels through plants or how materials can absorb liquids.

The act of squeezing the dropper or controlling the brush also refines fine motor skills. Plus, mixing colors can teach basic lessons about color theory – what happens when blue meets yellow for example? Experiment with different colors for your snowflakes – they don’t just have to be blue!

While the snowflakes dry, chat with your kids about the science of real snowflakes – how they form in clouds and the role temperature plays in their creation. It’s an excellent chance to instill a sense of wonder about the natural world.

Above all, this activity is about the joy of creation. It’s a reminder that with a few simple materials, you and your kids can make something truly beautiful. So, gather your materials, clear an afternoon, and create a blizzard of salt and glue snowflakes that will make any day a bit more magical!

Download Snowflake Template

Ready to start your snowy adventure but not sure how to draw a snowflake? No worries! We’ve got you covered with our easy-to-use snowflake templates.

Perfect for little hands and big imaginations, simply download, print, and you’re ready to create a winter wonderland. Click below for your snowflake template and let the frosty fun begin!

Terms of use: These free printable snowflake templates are free for personal use and classroom use.

Our snowflake templates are a fantastic starting point for a world of wintry crafts! They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you and your children to experiment beyond just salt and glue.

Use them as stencils for painting projects, as patterns for cutting out festive snowflake decorations, or even as guides for baking snowflake-shaped cookies.

The possibilities are as endless as the intricacies of a snowflake. Embrace the versatility and let these templates inspire a flurry of creative activities!

More Snowflake Crafts

Need inspiration for even more easy snowflake crafts for kids, snowflake activities for preschoolers and so on… we have loads!

• Easy Q-Tip Snowflakes Craft
• Cupcake Liner Snowflake Craft for kids
• Easy Glitter Popsicle Stick Snowflake Craft for Kids
• Mickey Mouse Printable Snowflake Paper Crafts
• DIY Clothes Pin Snowflake Ornament Craft
• Tape Snowflakes : Exploring Symmetry in Reflections
• Snowflake Coloring Pages : Free Printable Templates for Kids Crafts

Easy Glitter Popsicle Stick Snowflake Craft for Kids