Making salt dough, waiting on spring weather
If you’re like me, and needing some extra ideas to keep your kiddos entertained inside while we wait for spring/summer weather, this salt dough recipe is the perfect activity! It’s soooo easy.
You can make these for fun or they would even make a wonderful gift for a special grandparent, or maybe even the perfect Mother’s Day craft.
The sky is the limit with these as far as what to create. Cookie cutters? Seasonal cookie cutters? Give a lump of dough to your kiddo and let them shape it into an animal or fun shape of their choice. Cut out a circle and do a hand print to preserve those sweet baby hand shapes. Shape into flower pots or jewelry bowls.
Get crazy and creative with these!
What is Salt Dough?
Salt dough is a special dough that holds its shape well and can be used to create ornaments, handprints, little flower pots, or even just shapes to be painted for an afternoon kids activity.
The recipe calls for a decent amount of salt, hence the name. It’s mixed, shaped, baked, and ready to paint. So fun and easy for kiddos to be a part of the whole process.
Tips for making Salt Dough
- Buy cheap ingredients. I grabbed the cheapest flour and salt, and used water of course from home. No need to use your more expensive, quality baking ingredients since it isn’t being consumed. The dollar store would even be a good place to look for the ingredients, paint, etc.
- Punch a small hole in the top of the dough shapes you create BEFORE baking, then your creation can be hung when it’s baked and cooked. Try using a plastic straw or a skewer for an easy small hole.
- Make sure your final dough is not too sticky or stiff. You’re looking for a soft, moldable dough. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. Too stiff, add a bit more water.
- You’ll know your ornaments are done when they are no longer soft. You’re essentially drying the dough out. Give your shape a little pinch and if it still squishes, give it a bit longer. Remember, the thinner the shape the less bake time. Thicker things like a little flower pot may take longer.
- This recipe makes plenty of dough, you’re welcome to spit the recipe in half if you prefer. But we liked having plenty of pieces to paint and decorate.
- We rolled our dough to about 1/2 inch thick. You can adjust this to your desired preference depending on your project.
- Can’t get your parchment paper to lay flat? Crumple it into a ball first, then smooth it out somewhat onto your pan. This will make it more shapeable and moldable for you!
- You can decorate the shapes before they bake by adding beads or glitter to the soft dough. My girls enjoyed painting them after instead on this occasion. Have I mentioned the sky is the limit for creativity? 😉
Ingredients for Salt Dough
- All purpose flour. I got a cheap bag from Aldi.
- Salt. I just used white, iodized salt.
- Water
Tools you will need to make the salt dough
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Measuring cups
- Spatula
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie cutters
Recipe
Begin by adding four cups of flour to your mixing bowl.
Add 1 cup of salt to the bowl, and mix.
Slowly add your water, stir to incorporate.
Adjust the ingredients if needed, (see notes about proper consistency).
Shape dough into a ball, place between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out to desired thickness.
Use cookie cutters to create your shapes.
Gently take a flat spatula and place shapes onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 250 for 1.5-2.5 hours depending on your shape thickness. (See notes for done test.)
Allow to cool completely.
Now decorate! Paint. Glitter. Glitter glue. Be creative!
Conclusion
This recipe is easy, straightforward, and special. These ornaments and handprints can be kept for years to come! What a fun special project to do with your kiddos. Have you tried salt dough before?
