One of my favorite ways to celebrate the Christmas season with my kids is by baking and making crafts. Making salt dough ornaments is a way to combine both of these favorite holiday pastimes. These ornaments are simple, affordable, sustainable, and so fun to make!
If you are looking for a fun Christmas craft or a personalized gift for your kid’s to make and gift, these salt dough ornaments are the perfect afternoon project! You could even make them on Christmas Day for a fun tradition or on a snow day.
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How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
Here’s how to make the best salt dough ornaments in just a few hours!
Making the Dough
Start by mixing 3 cups of AP flour (use gluten free if needed due to allergies) and 1.5 cups salt into a large mixing bowl. Add 3 tbsp cinnamon if you want a darker color and a sweet, cinnamon smell!
Slowly pour in 1.5 cups of water into the bowl. Mix together until the dough feels like Play-dough! You can add a little more flour or water a teaspoon at a time to reach the right consistency.
Roll the dough into a ball and knead by hand for about 7 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
Making and Baking the Ornaments
If you’re going to make the ornaments today, preheat the oven to 300F. If not, you can store the dough in a ziplock bag and come back to it!
Lay a large piece of parchment paper out on the table. Lay the dough on top, and top it with another large piece of parchment paper.
Roll out the dough evenly with a rolling pin. You want it to be thin… about 1/8” thick! Use cookie cutters to make different shapes. Then, carefully remove the extra dough… leaving the ornaments on the parchment.
Next, you can add texture to the ornaments or even press your child’s hand or footprint into the dough depending on the age and size of your ornaments! (This makes a special keepsake gift!)
Use a straw to poke a hole in each ornament. This is where the ribbon will go after baking!
Lay the parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and bake for at least 1 hour until hard and dry.
Decorating the Salt Dough Ornaments
Let the ornaments cool, and then decorate with paint, glitter, and glue!
If you want to preserve the ornaments for even longer, use Mod Podge as a seal once the ornaments are dry.
Don’t forget to add a ribbon or string! Then use these as gifts or decorations.
This is such a simple, affordable Christmas craft that kids and adults can both enjoy!
Where to Find Supplies for Making These Ornaments
Ribbon
We like to hang these ornaments on our tree or garland. We also love giving them as gifts to grandparents! You could even tie them to gift wrap for a special, personalized look!
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