The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to embrace the festive spirit than making these Salt Dough Ornaments? These homemade ornaments are the perfect Christmas craft to make with the whole family during the holiday season!
I love creating Christmas memories with my family and these salt dough Christmas ornaments are the perfect way to do just that. Little kids have so much fun with this project and can make different shapes with the use of cookie cutters, or make salt dough handprints with their own little hands!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Easy recipe: this easy salt dough recipe comes together quickly and smoothly and is very easy to work with.
Hands-on fun: this Christmas craft is a fun project for kids. From mixing the dough ingredients to rolling it out. They can use cookie cutters to create shapes and every step offers a delightful and engaging activity for children of all ages.
Handmade creation: kids will gain a sense of pride with their own homemade salt dough ornaments and can be creative and expressive with their own decorating sense!
🥘 Ingredients for Salt Dough
Salt
All purpose flour
Water
🔪 How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
- Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour and salt until combined
- Add the water and mix with your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead dough with your hands until it becomes smooth. Gradually add a little bit of extra flour to help smooth the dough consistency.
- Place dough on a hard surface and use a rolling pin to roll out to ¼’’ thickness.
- Using christmas cookie cutters and cut out the ornaments. Re-knead the excess dough and roll it out again. Repeat until all the dough is used.
- Place ornaments on prepared cookie sheet. Using a straw, punch a hole in the top of the ornament. Repeat with each ornament.
- Bake in the oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Once cooled, paint the ornaments as desired. Use the pipe cleaner, ribbon and or twine through the hole to hang on the tree.
🥄 Equipment
Pipe cleaners, ribbon, and or twine: to be used as ornament hooks for hanging on the tree
Acrylic paint
Large bowl
Rolling pin
Christmas cookie cutters: you can also use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter.
Straw: to punch a small hole in the top of the ornament
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
🥫Storing Salt Dough Ornaments
Proper storage ensures your salt dough ornaments retain their beauty for seasons to come. Once the ornaments are fully decorated and dried, store them in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. A cardboard box or an airtight container lined with parchment paper is ideal for safeguarding these treasures.
Layer the ornaments between sheets of tissue or parchment paper to prevent any potential sticking or scratching. Additionally, adding a sachet of silica gel or a small container of baking soda within the storage container helps absorb excess moisture, preserving the integrity of the ornaments.
With these simple storage steps, your handmade salt dough ornaments will remain pristine and ready to adorn your holiday décor year after year.
📖 Variations
Scented Ornaments: Infuse your handmade ornaments with delightful scents by adding esssential oils, spices like cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg to the dough. Not only will they look charming, but they'll also bring a festive aroma to your home.
Glittery Salt Dough Ornaments: Mix in some glitter or decorate the ornaments with glitter glue before baking. This adds a touch of sparkle and whimsy to the finished creations, perfect for catching the light on your tree.
Customized Colors: Experiment with adding food coloring or natural dyes to the dough to create a spectrum of colorful ornaments. Let your kids’ imaginations dictate the hues, turning each creation into a vibrant masterpiece.
💭 Tips
Knead the Dough Thoroughly: Use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook to ensure a smooth dough
Uniform thickness: Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a consistent thickness (around ¼ inch) to ensure even baking. This prevents ornaments from cracking or breaking in the oven.
Use a Straw for Hanging Holes: Before baking, use a straw to create holes at the top of each ornament. Once baked and cooled, these holes are perfect for threading ribbons or strings for hanging.
Bake at Low Temperatures: Bake the ornaments at a low temperature (around 200°F or 90°C) for at least 2 hours to prevent them from puffing or browning excessively.
Decorate with Care: Allow the ornaments to cool completely before decorating. Acrylic paints work well for adding vibrant colors, while a coat of varnish can protect and enhance the ornaments' durability.
Protect finished ornaments: Brush completely dry, finished ornaments with mod podge to add an extra layer of protection.
🙋 FAQ's
Can I Make Salt Dough Ornaments Without Baking Them?
Yes, you can air-dry salt dough ornaments, but it might take a longer time (usually a few days to a week or more depending on thickness) for them to fully dry. Baking expedites the drying process, but if preferred, you can simply let the ornaments air-dry naturally.
Can I Make Salt Dough Ornaments Ahead of Time?
Salt dough ornaments can be made well in advance of the holiday season. Once they're fully dried and decorated, store them in airtight containers or sealed bags to keep them fresh until it's time to display them.
How Long Do Salt Dough Ornaments Last?
When stored properly in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight, salt dough ornaments can last for several years. Adding a layer of varnish or sealant after decorating can enhance their durability.
Can I make Salt Dough Ornaments in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Place the salt dough ornaments in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Cook them at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as cooking times may vary based on thickness and your air fryer model.
📚 More DIY Projects
Make this Corn Hole DIY for years of family fun!
This DIY Stone Fire Pit is easy to make and absolutely beautiful.
Make this DIY Compost Bin for your backyard in less than a day.
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When you make these homemade salt dough ornament recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @honeybunchhunts or #honeybunchhunts so I can see your photos!
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
Equipment
- Pipe cleaners, ribbon, and or twine : to be used as ornament hooks for hanging on the tree
- Christmas cookie cutters , you can also use a biscuit cutter or a round cookie cutter.
- Straw , to punch a small hole in the top of the ornament
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour divided
- 1 cup salt
- ½ cup warm water
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour and salt until combined
- Add the water and mix with your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead dough with your hands until it becomes smooth. Gradually add a little bit of extra flour to help smooth the dough consistency.
- Place dough on a hard surface and use a rolling pin to roll out to ¼’’ thickness.
- Using christmas cookie cutters and cut out the ornaments. Re-knead the excess dough and roll it out again. Repeat until all the dough is used.
- Place ornaments on prepared cookie sheet. Using a straw, punch a hole in the top of the ornament. Repeat with each ornament.
- Bake in the oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Once cooled, paint the ornaments as desired. Use the pipe cleaner, ribbon and or twine through the hole to hang on the tree.
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