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    Home » Updates

    Modified: May 28, 2025 · Published: Sep 15, 2014 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Fall Craft - Black Glue and Salt Leaves

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    Jump to Craft

    We have been on a Fall Craft kick here at Mess for Less. Recently, we made these Fall Leaves Window Stickers and they are still adorning our front window. As part of that project, I created a fall leaf printable. I loved how the printable turned out and I wanted to be able to use it again for another activity. I remember how we had made Fall Leaves Using Black Glue in the past and decided to make them again but add a twist by using my leaf printable and adding salt. We used a similar process when we made Black Glue and Salt Watercolor Rainbows.

    Black Glue and Salt Leaves fall craft - get your free leaf printable and make these gorgeous, textured Fall decorations.
    Jump to:
    • 🍂Why Black Glue and Salt Leaves are Awesome
    • 🌳Supply Notes
    • 📋How To Make Black Glue and Salt Fall Leaves
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Activity FAQs
    • ✂️Expert Tips
    • 🍁Related Posts

    🍂Why Black Glue and Salt Leaves are Awesome

    • If you have never used salt with watercolors before, your kids will love the textured art created when you combine the two.
    • Anytime you work with paint, there is the chance to learn a little bit about color mixing.
    • Kids will be amazed with the colorful textured art they are able to create.

    🌳Supply Notes

    • Free leaf printable - You can download this by clicking the link to the left.
    • Watercolors - One with primary colors is fine as you can mix colors to get different shades.
    • Small paintbrush - For painting the leaves.
    • White glue - To help make the black glue.
    • Black paint - Used to make black glue. Find out how to make black glue in the post below.
    • Salt - Table salt in a salt shaker works fine.
    black glue, water, watercolor paint, salt, paper with leaves printed on it.


    📋How To Make Black Glue and Salt Fall Leaves

    STEP 1: Print out this free leaf printable.

    STEP 2: To make black glue, empty your glue bottle so it's only half full. Then add some squirts of black paint. Use enough black paint to fill up an additional quarter of the glue bottle. Shake the mixture until it is totally combined.

    STEP 3: Outline the leaves on the leaf printable using the black glue and allow to dry. This step is easier if done by an adult or older child. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the black glue to dry before starting the painting.

    leaves with black glue.

    STEP 4: Provide your child with watercolors, a brush and some water.

    painted paper leaves.

    STEP 5: Have your child paint the leaves using the watercolors.

    child painting paper leaves.
    water color painting paper with leaves.

    STEP 6: The next step is to add the salt. You will want to be sure the painting is still wet before adding the salt. If parts of the painting have dried already, have your child go over it again with a wet brush.

    child shaking salt on painting.

    STEP 7: Allow to dry.

    salt leaf painting.

    salt on leaf painting.

    The black glue adds a raised texture that reminds me of stained glass.

    salt on leaf painting.

    You can display the leaves as is, or you can cut them out and glue them to some colored paper. Either way, these black glue and salt leaves make a fun Fall decoration!

    cut out leaf art on construction paper.

    🤷🏻‍♀️Activity FAQs

    What is black glue and where can I get it?

    Black glue is simply a mix of white glue and black paint. You don't need to buy it as it is easy to make with a mixture of black paint and white glue. The instructions are in the post.

    How long does the black glue take to dry?

    Ours took about 3 hours.


    ✂️Expert Tips

    Tip 1: This fall craft provides a great opportunity for talking about Fall with kids. You can discuss what color leaves are typically seen in Fall as well as other changes that occur during the season.

    Tip 2: My kids were determined to stay within the leaf outline but this is certainly not necessary.


    🍁Related Posts

    • Fall Diorama
    • Fall Sensory Activities
    • Q-Tip Fall Tree
    • Halloween Crafts for Kids Black Glue and Salt Pumpkin
    Print
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    Fall Craft - Black Glue and Salt Leaves

    Black Glue and Salt Leaves fall craft - get your free leaf printable and make these gorgeous, textured Fall decorations.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Active Time20 minutes mins
    Drying time3 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Author: Vicky

    Materials

    • Free leaf printable 
    • Watercolors 
    • Small paintbrush
    • Water
    • White glue
    • Black paint
    • Salt 

    Instructions

    • Print out our free leaf printable.
    • To make black glue, empty your glue bottle so it's only half full. Then add some squirts of black paint. Use enough black paint to fill up an additional quarter of the glue bottle. Shake the mixture until it is totally combined.
    • Outline the leaves on the leaf printable using the black glue and allow to dry. This step is easier if done by an adult or older child. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the black glue to dry before starting the painting.
    • Provide your child with watercolors, a brush and some water.
    • Have your child paint the leaves using the watercolors.
    • The next step is to add the salt. You will want to be sure the painting is still wet before adding the salt. If parts of the painting have dried already, have your child go over it again with a wet brush.
    • Allow to dry.

    Notes

    • This fall craft provides a great opportunity for talking about Fall with kids. You can discuss what color leaves are typically seen in Fall as well as other changes that occur during the season.
    • My kids were determined to stay within the leaf outline but this is certainly not necessary.

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    1. Donna says

      October 03, 2015 at 9:27 am

      I really like this idea and also your window stickers. Have you ever tried combining the two ideas. I'm thinking about doing this project but on the contact paper and sticking on the windows after.

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        October 05, 2015 at 12:20 pm

        Great idea Donna. I would love to see how that turned out.

        Reply
    2. Stacy says

      November 07, 2014 at 3:08 pm

      We did this today and it was so much fun! I skipped the salt because my 2 year old was a little too excited about spreading it around. Ha, ha! 🙂

      Reply
    3. Christina K says

      October 31, 2014 at 3:04 pm

      What kind of black paint? Acrylic?

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        October 31, 2014 at 5:22 pm

        I used black tempera paint. There is a link in the post if you want to see the kind I used.

        Reply
    4. Tami says

      September 28, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      This is awesome! I'm going to try it with my day care kids this week.

      Reply
    5. Mari Corona says

      September 15, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      Love it a must share!!!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        September 22, 2014 at 4:59 pm

        Thanks so much Mari!

        Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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