Magic Olaf Paint Recipe for Kids (2024)

I am so excited to share this activity with you because it is fun, magical, scientific, and not very messy (I let my kids paint while wearing white…”gasp”). The magic paint is taste-safe so this activity was prefect for Mr. Tickles (age 1.5) to join in. We are HUGE Disney Frozen fans and whenever my son hears the opening credits to any movie he starts singing, “Let it go,” and dancing around excitedly. I thought it would be fun to play with the idea that Olaf likes warm hugs even though he is a snowman. He made snow cool for summer activities. So let’s start the magic…

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Update: Although we did this activity in the summer, it is perfect for the winter too…you know, when snowmen are standing around 🙂 We recently had a Frozen birthday party. Catch the excitement and a copy of our Frozen cake and cupcake toppers here.

Supplies:

Water

Sea Salt or Epsom Salt

Paper (black paper works best)

Olaf coloring page (optional) I found ours online

You can play into the magic of this activity as much as you would like. I suggest making your Olaf magic paint ahead of time so the kids don’t know the salt is in it. Set your kiddos painting out in the sun to get warm and they will be amazed when the magic happens when the paint dries . The salt crystals glitter in the sun and seem to appear from nothing but water and the magic of Olaf.

How the Magic Works:

Salt is an ionic compound and dissolves in water when the sodium and chloride atoms pull apart from each other. When the water is removed the elements rejoin reforming salt crystals. Perfect for our Olaf Magic Paint.

Directions:

1. Fill a cup with 1-2 cups water depending on how many kiddos are participating. We used about 1 cup and we had plenty of magic paint left over. Add salt and stir to dissolve the salt. Keep adding salt and stirring until it stops dissolving (the mixture has become saturated)-now your paint is ready.

Olaf Magic Paint all ready to go.

2. Set the painting in the sun to dry and wait for the magic to happen. The paper will get warm, the water will evaporate, and the salt in the magic paint will remain. The time it takes depends on how warm it is outside and how wet the paper is. I think we waited 30 minutes on a very hot day.
Update: of just place the paintings where they can dry inside.

More Frozen Activities:

Even More Frozen Ideas: