Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough Ornaments are a timeless, hands-on craft that kids love. With just flour, salt, and water, you can whip up a simple dough that’s easy to shape into ornaments and decorations. Once baked and hardened, they become a blank canvas for painting, decorating, and personalizing.

This activity is perfect for seasonal fun—make Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, Easter eggs, or even handprint keepsakes. It encourages creativity, sensory play, and fine motor skills, and the finished ornaments make wonderful gifts or mementos to treasure.

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Materials Needed

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup salt

• 1 cup water

• Paint (acrylic or poster paint)

• Optional: ribbon, string, glitter, buttons for decorating

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Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl and spoon

• Rolling pin

• Cookie cutters or plastic knives

• Baking tray and oven

• Paintbrushes

• Straw or skewer (to poke holes for hanging)

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Steps

1. Make the Dough: Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water until it forms a smooth dough.

2. Shape the Ornaments: Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters or shape by hand. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging.

3. Bake: Bake in the oven at a low temperature (around 100–120°C / 210–250°F) for 1–2 hours or until dry and hard.

4. Cool and Paint: Let ornaments cool completely before decorating with paint and extras like glitter or buttons.

5. Add a Hanger: Thread ribbon or string through the hole once dry and display proudly!

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Variations

• Seasonal Themes: Create Christmas trees, snowflakes, pumpkins, hearts, or stars based on the season.

• Keepsake Prints: Press in handprints or footprints for memory ornaments.

• Scented Dough: Add cinnamon or essential oils to the dough for a festive scent.

• Air Dry Version: Skip baking and air-dry over 24–48 hours (though this may crack more easily).