Straightforward Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe

Christmas crafts are a few of our favourite issues to do that time of the yr. And there have all the time been handmade ornaments on our Christmas tree. These simple salt dough ornaments make nice keepsakes for the vacation season. They’re additionally an ideal reward for the grandparents!

Salt Dough Ornaments

A couple of years in the past I began to focus extra on pure trying Christmas decorations. That included issues like burlap garland and handmade Christmas ornaments. My youngsters have all the time liked creating their very own and hanging them on the tree. Whereas my older youngsters are actually youngsters (and never that into handprint ornaments!) I nonetheless like trying again on the ornaments they made once they have been youthful.

This step-by-step salt dough recipe is straightforward to make and enjoyable for the children! It’s made with simply three easy elements: salt, water, and flour. Whereas I don’t wish to eat processed, white flour, it really works nice for decoration making.

Desk salt is one other ingredient you received’t usually discover in my home. Mineral-rich sea salt or Himalayan salt is way more healthy to eat however doesn’t work as properly for DIY salt dough ornaments. Common, low-cost desk salt from the cardboard canister on the retailer makes the perfect salt dough. And it’s less expensive.

Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

Salt dough is a superb medium for capturing your toddler’s handprint (or footprint). And in case you have some fur infants in the home, it really works properly for pawprints too. You should definitely lower a circle sufficiently big to suit their hand/foot/paw in. It can take longer to bake than the smaller cookie cutter selection.

Salt Dough Decoration Concepts

Whereas they’re common in the course of the vacation season, salt dough ornaments could be made any time of the yr. You can also make handprints to commemorate the delivery or baptism of a brand new child. Or make egg-shaped ornaments to paint for Easter.

For these ornaments, the children and I used Christmas cookie cutters. Snowflakes, gingerbread males, stars, and so on. all work properly.

Adorning and Sealing The Ornaments

Acrylic or craft paint works greatest to embellish the ornaments. Washable or tempura paint received’t final, and oil paint is pointless and really onerous to wash up. Some recipes name for including meals coloring to the dough, however we choose portray the ornaments.

It’s additionally necessary to seal the ornaments so that they’ll last more than one season. Plenty of acrylic varnishes and polyurethane sprays are poisonous, however I discovered this acrylic glitter varnish that works properly. Mod podge may also work and it’s non-toxic.

Over time mod podge and sure sealants can begin to flip yellow, giving the art work beneath an odd tinge. Preserve the ornaments away from direct daylight and warmth to assist stop yellowing over time.

Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe

Katie Wells

These home made ornaments are an ideal venture to do with the children! Cutout your favourite shapes and paint them as desired for a customized decoration.

Prep Time 1 hr

Baking and Cooling Time 6 hrs

Complete Time 7 hrs 10 minutes

Directions 

• Preheat the oven to 200 levels.

• In a big bowl mix the 1/2 cup salt and a couple of cups flour.

• Add the water to the blending bowl and blend till the dough comes collectively. Chances are you’ll want so as to add slightly extra water or flour, 1 tsp at a time to get the proper consistency. It needs to be dry sufficient that it does not keep on with your fingers or the countertop, however not so dry it is crumbly and cracking.

• Flip the dough out onto a clear countertop, kneading for a couple of minutes.

• Use the rolling pin to flatten the dough to about 1/4 inch after which lower out shapes with the cookie cutters.

• Use the straw or skewer to poke a small gap within the prime of every decoration.

• Switch the shapes to a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake the salt dough for 90 minutes.

• Flip the ornaments over and bake for one more 30-90 minutes. (or longer if wanted). The ornaments ought to not be mushy or squishy when completed.

• Cool barely, then take away the DIY ornaments from the baking sheet and onto a cooling rack.

• After the ornaments have utterly cooled (a number of hours), they’re prepared to color. Use acrylic paints to embellish them nevertheless you need.

• Use a number of coats of acrylic varnish or mod podge to seal the ornaments as soon as they’re dry. This helps to protect them to allow them to final for years. Both a shiny or matte varnish will work.

Notes

•  Most varnishes have dangerous chemical substances so go for a non-toxic one. 
• Retailer the ornaments in a dry place away from direct daylight. 

Have you ever ever made handmade ornaments earlier than? How did it go? Depart a remark and let me know!