Salt Dough Ornaments

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Salt Dough Ornaments are a fun and simple Christmas craft for toddlers and kids to make.  

I still remember making salt dough ornaments when I was a kid!  The salt dough ornaments are still preserved that I made as a kid and I still hang them on my Christmas tree.

Why Use Salt Dough?

Salt dough is an easy, fun, and cost-effective way to make homemade ornaments.  The salt in the dough acts as a preservative making these ornaments last a long time. 

You can make any shape or use cookie cutters with this dough since it is easily moldable and not sticky!

Ingredients for Salt Dough

• 1 cup salt (I use regular table salt)
• 4 cups flour (Use All-purpose flour, not self-rising)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

All the ingredients for salt dough I usually have on hand and are extremely cost-effective. 

I buy the cheapest flour and salt I can find for these ornaments. 

Other Supplies for Making Salt Dough Ornaments

• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Measuring cups 
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Cookie Cutters
• Straw
• Ribbon or String
• Salt Dough Recipe

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

1. Add the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir with a spoon until combined.

2.  Slowly add the water and stir.

3. Use your hands to knead the dough for a few minutes until all the ingredients are combined and you can form a ball with it.

4. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.  Add in more water if the dough is too dry.

5. Roll out the dough on parchment paper (or silicone baking mats) about 1/8 -1/4 inch thick.  I use parchment paper on the bottom and top of the dough when I roll it so it doesn’t stick.

6. Use cookie cutters to make the shape you want, or mold into any shape you want.  You can also make handprints with these which are fun keepsakes.

7. Poke a hole with a straw (or skewer) where you want the string to be.  I usually poke it towards the top center.

8. Put on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Related:  No-Cook Playdough Recipe

Baking Salt Dough Ornaments

Preheat oven to 250 degrees Farenheight 

Bake ornaments for about 1 1/2 – 2  hours.  I check my ornaments after an hour.  They are done when they are completely hard.  If they start to brown then they are well done – and that’s okay!

Once completely hard take them out of the oven and let them cool completly.

Related: Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers

Painting Salt Dough Ornaments

I like to use acrylic paint for salt dough ornaments.  

Add glitter if you prefer.

Once the paint is dry, add modge podge to seal.  If you don’t have modge podge you can mix equal parts of water and glue in a dish and paint it on the ornaments with a paintbrush.

Add ribbon or twine and hang on the tree or give them as homemade gifts!