Salt Dough Ornaments: A Simple Holiday Activity for Little Hands
The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, create memories, and get crafty with your little ones. If you're looking for a fun, easy indoor activity to do with your kids that will fill your home with festive cheer, salt dough ornaments are the way to go. Not only are they simple to make, but they also give your children the chance to unleash their creativity, strengthen fine motor skills, and give your family a keepsake childhood ornament for years to come. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of baking dough in the house?!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making easy DIY salt dough ornaments for kids, perfect for decking the halls or adding a personal touch to holiday gifts. The best part? You probably already have everything you need in your pantry!
What You’ll Need for Easy DIY Salt Dough Ornaments for Kids:
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3 cups of all-purpose flour
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1 cup of salt
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1.5 cups of warm water
Let’s Get Started!
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Give it a little stir to make sure the two ingredients are evenly mixed.
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Add the Warm Water: Slowly pour in the warm water, mixing as you go. It’s okay if it’s a little clumpy at first—just keep stirring!
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Knead the Dough: Once your mixture starts coming together, get your hands in there! Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and pliable. Your little ones will love helping with this part—it’s a great sensory experience and really strengthens those fine motor muscles!
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Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough is ready, roll it out to about 1/8" thickness. If your child is old enough, they can help with this step too! Make sure to keep a rolling pin and surface lightly floured to prevent sticking.
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Cut Out Shapes: Here comes the fun part! Use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, trees, hearts, or whatever your family’s favorite holiday symbols are. The sky’s the limit with shapes—don’t be afraid to get creative!
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Poke Holes for Hanging: Before baking, use a straw to poke a hole at the top of each ornament. This is where you’ll put the ribbon through once they’re baked and ready to hang.
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Bake the Ornaments: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place your dough shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then pop them in the oven. Bake for 1 hour, but be sure to move the tray to the bottom rack halfway through to ensure even baking.
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Cool and Decorate: Once your ornaments are out of the oven, let them cool completely. Now the creative fun begins! Gather your ribbon, paint, and glitter to give each ornament a festive makeover!
Why We Love Salt Dough Ornaments
Not only are these ornaments a fun activity to share with your little ones, but they also make great keepsakes. Over the years, you can look back on the ornaments you’ve created and remember the holiday moments spent together. Plus, they make perfect handmade gifts for grandparents, neighbors, or even teachers!
Salt dough ornaments can be customized year after year, so whether you’re making them for the first time or adding to a growing collection, they’ll always be a treasured part of your family’s holiday traditions. Whether you're hanging them on the tree, using them as gift tags, or stringing them up for a festive garland, these little handmade treasures are sure to add a personal touch to your holiday celebrations.
Your Turn!
So this holiday season, gather your supplies, turn on your favorite holiday music, and spend some quality time with your little ones making these easy DIY salt dough ornaments. It’s the perfect way to create magical memories that will last long after the holiday season is over. Happy crafting and happy holidays!
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