How to Make a Rainbow Salt Writing Tray

A rainbow salt writing tray consists of a tray like container with a colourful rainbow base covered in salt. Using a paintbrush or their finger, your child can draw shapes, numbers, letters or words. The colourful base shows through, magically transforming their work into a rainbow of colours.

When we recently discovered the rainbow salt writing tray, we were amazed that we hadn’t heard of it before. So, after some quick research, we’ve got two different methods to teach you how to make your own rainbow salt tray for your child to play with.

It’s also really fun to see what magically appears from underneath the salt!

What you’ll need:

a tray or large container with low sides
one of your child’s pieces of artwork or several pieces of different colour paper
sellotape
paintbrush
approximately 100gm of salt.

How to make a Rainbow Salt Writing Tray

There are actually two ways to make the base – you can use your child’s own artwork, or just strips of coloured paper. We love the artwork option because it makes the whole thing feel a bit more personal. (It’s also a great excuse to get the paints out first.) Either way works perfectly.

Step 1: Sellotape your child’s artwork or coloured paper strips into the bottom of your tray. This part is important – you don’t want the paper moving around while your child is working.

Step 2: Pour the salt evenly over the paper. Around 100g is a good starting point, but it depends on your tray size. Too much salt and the colours won’t show through – too little and the brushstrokes won’t highlight properly. Adjust until you can just see the colours underneath.

Step 3: Encourage your child to use their finger or a paintbrush to write letters, shapes or patterns in the salt. Watch the rainbow colours appear underneath as they draw.

The Benefits of a Rainbow Salt Writing Tray

There are numerous benefits of playing with a rainbow salt tray, including:

Fine motor skills: Writing or drawing in the salt tray requires precise movements of the fingers and hands, helping to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Creativity and Imagination: Children can explore their creativity and imagination by drawing pictures, writing letters or numbers, or creating patterns and designs in the salt.

Colour Recognition: The use of rainbow-colours under the salt can help children learn and recognise different colours.

Calming Effect: The tactile experience of playing with the salt can have a calming effect on children, helping to reduce stress or anxiety and promote relaxation.

Sensory Stimulation: Engaging with the texture of the salt stimulates the child’s sense of touch, providing sensory input that promotes sensory processing and development.

Mix It Up

You could also try replacing the salt with sand, glitter, sprinkles, rice, shaving cream, flour or rolled oats for a completely different sensory experience. And instead of fingers or a paintbrush, try a feather, chopstick or makeup brush to draw with.