Looking for a fun and easy holiday activity to do with the kids? DIY salt dough ornaments are a perfect project! Not only do they keep the little ones entertained, but you’ll also end up with adorable handmade ornaments for your tree (or to give as gifts). Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to dress everyone in your favorite matching holiday crewnecks, like our Candy Cane or Wonderful Time designs. Ready to get crafty? Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup of salt
1 cup of water
Rolling pin
Holiday-shaped cookie cutters (stars, trees, gingerbread men)
Straw or toothpick (for making holes)
Acrylic paint, markers, or glitter for decorating
String or ribbon for hanging
Clear sealant (optional)
Step 1: Make the Salt Dough
Start by combining the flour and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add water while stirring until the dough comes together. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s smooth and pliable—this is a great time to get the kids involved and let them help out.
Step 2: Roll and Cut
Sprinkle a bit of flour on your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Then, let the kids pick their favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, and gingerbread men are always a hit. Don’t forget to use a straw or toothpick to poke a small hole at the top of each ornament for threading the ribbon later.
Step 3: Bake the Ornaments
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place your cut-out shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 2-3 hours. You’ll know they’re done when they’re completely hardened but not browned. Let them cool completely before moving on to the fun part—decorating!
Step 4: Get Decorating
Here’s where the creativity comes in! Lay out the paint, markers, glitter, and any other crafty supplies you have. Let the kids decorate their ornaments however they like—whether it’s painting Santas, drawing on snowflakes, or just going crazy with glitter.
Step 5: Seal and Add Ribbon
Once the paint is dry, you can spray a clear sealant on the ornaments to make them last for years to come (this step is optional but helpful if you want them to be more durable). Then, thread some string or ribbon through the holes you made earlier, and your ornaments are ready to hang!
Step 6: Display or Gift
Now comes the best part—hanging your new ornaments on the tree! Or, if you want to give them as gifts, you can wrap them up in tissue paper and tie them with a festive ribbon. Either way, these DIY salt dough ornaments will be a special memory from the holidays. And don’t forget to snap some pics of your little ones in their matching Peace Santa crewnecks while they’re hard at work!
Salt dough ornaments are a classic holiday craft that’s easy, fun, and creates memories that’ll last for years. Happy crafting!
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