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This salt painting planet art is super satisfying and oh so simple to do. The salt drip painting technique works well to create Earth or one of the other eight planets.
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Supplies to Collect
Gather the following supplies, which you probably have around your home, for this stunning planet art activity:
- 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper
- table salt
- white glue
- glue paddle
- food coloring
- paint pots
- eye droppers
- paintbrush
- teaspoon
- disposable plate
- scissors and pencil
- glue stick or glue gun
- washable table cover
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Salt Painting Earth Art
The first planet to create is our Earth as seen from outer space. Complete this salty art activity over two days.
Day One:
Protect an art table with a washable or disposable table cover.
Cut out a circle measuring 18 cm/7 inches from 8 ½ x 11-inch or 9 x 12-inch cardstock paper.
Pour white glue into a small container or paint pot.
Set the sturdy paper circle, pot with white glue, glue paddle, and disposable plate on the prepared art table.
Dip the glue paddle into the white adhesive and spread it on the circle in shapes of land forms.

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Using a teaspoon, generously sprinkle salt over areas of the circle that contain glue.
Tip the circle sideways over a disposable plate and shake off excess salt. (The leftover spice can be used for more salt painting planet art projects.)
Let the gluey circle dry overnight.
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Day Two:
Cover an art table with a washable table cover.
Prepare the watercolor paints: Mix a few drops of blue food coloring into a paint pot containing water and a few drops of green food coloring into a second water-filled pot. Or mix a lighter and darker hue in each color for more variety.

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Set the raised salt circle on the art table with two hues of green food coloring. Add an eye dropper or pipette to each pot.
Using the droppers, carefully drip paint onto the salt-covered areas of the circle.

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Then, with a paintbrush, carefully brush blue watercolor paint around the raised salt land forms to represent water.

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Set the painted art project aside to dry.
The earth art looks stunning adhered with a glue stick or glue gun to a black or dark blue 8 ½ x 11-inch or 9 x 12-inch cardstock or construction paper background. Displayed in a group, this salt painting planet art project looks stunning.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.
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Salt Painting Jupiter Art

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Jupiter also looks amazing in a salt painting planet art activity. To create planet Jupiter with this art technique, spread the glue in a stripy design to show Jupiter’s banded, cloud-covered look. Sprinkle on salt and shake it off next. After the spice-covered glue dries, drip red and yellow food coloring paint onto the raised salt areas. Then, carefully brush orange food coloring paint (or orange liquid watercolor paint diluted with water) between the raised salt areas for contrast.

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As with the salt painting planet Earth project, a group of arty Jupiter planets looks stunning when displayed on dark cardstock paper backgrounds.

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The salt painting art with an Earth theme is a great activity for Earth Day. Both art projects are welcome additions for a space theme.
Is this post helpful? Which planet would you create with this technique?
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More Outer Space Activities
Space Restaurant Dramatic Play
Watercolor Planets With Markers
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Don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest or your favorite social media channel. Sharing is caring!

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© Annette Kaminsky May 3, 2025
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