The Joy of Salt

Yes, I did say salt. Recently we seem to be using salt for several activities, so I though I would share.

A Salt Tray

All you need is a baking pan, a piece of colored paper for the bottom (optional, but helps to make drawings stand out) and lots of salt. We use this to practice writing letters, numbers and shapes. Plus its just a whole lot of fun.

Salt Glitter Pictures

To color the salt, all you do is add food coloring, mix well, and let dry. Then you use it just like glitter. I found some salt shakers at a yard sale to store ours in. It took a little practice, but eventually Star figured out how to shake the salt on to glue she had just put down.

Modeling Clay
(we were learning about mountains and valleys)

I found this recipe in the book "The Preschooler's Busy Book" by Trish Kuffner

2 cups salt
2/3 cups water
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water

Stir salt and first water in a saucepan and heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cornstarch and cold water. Stir and heat until smooth and thick. Store in a plastic bag. (note, regular iodized salt probably would work best. I used kosher. It has an interesting texture, but is a little crumbly)

The book also contained the following recipe. We have not tried it yet, but certainly are going to very soon.

Salt Playdough

1 cup salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup flour

Combine ingedients in a saucepan anc cook over medium heat until smooth and rubbery. After mixture cools, knead in enough flour to make it workable.


I decided to see if there was anything else we could use salt for, and here is what I found. If you know of another use for fun please feel free to share.
Advanced Salt Projects
How to separate salt and pepper
Salt Ice Sculptures