Salt Dough Ornaments: Recipe, Shaping and Drying

Salt dough ornaments are made from just three cupboard ingredients: plain flour, fine salt and water. Mix two parts flour to one part salt, add water until the dough is smooth, roll it out, cut shapes, and dry them slowly in a low oven or in the air. Once hard, they can be painted, sealed and hung on a tree, a window or a gift. It is one of the cheapest crafts going, and it suits anyone from toddlers pressing handprints to adults making detailed keepsakes.

The basic salt dough recipe

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 cup fine table salt
• About ¾ cup lukewarm water, added gradually

1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.
2. Add the water a little at a time, stirring, until the mixture comes together.
3. Knead on a floured surface for several minutes until smooth and firm, like play dough. If it sticks, add a pinch of flour; if it cracks, add a few drops of water.
4. Wrap it in a bag or cloth while you work so the surface does not dry out.

Fine salt gives a smoother finish than coarse salt. For a warmer colour, some crafters knead in a spoonful of ground cinnamon or cocoa, which also makes the ornaments smell pleasant, though it does not make them edible.

Shaping ideas

Roll the dough to an even thickness, roughly a quarter of an inch or a little over half a centimetre. Thin pieces dry faster and crack less; thick ones are sturdier but take much longer. Then try:

• Cookie-cutter shapes: stars, hearts, trees, bells and animals.
• Handprints and footprints: press a child's hand firmly into a thick round of dough, then trim around it. Write the name and year on the back with a cocktail stick.
• Texture prints: press lace, leaves, buttons or a rubber stamp into the surface before cutting.
• Initials and names: cut letters freehand or with alphabet cutters for personalised gift tags.
• Little sculptures: roll small balls and coils to build mushrooms, snowmen or tiny houses. Join pieces with a dab of water.

Before drying, poke a hole for hanging with a drinking straw or a skewer, placed far enough from the edge that it will not snap.

Drying: oven or air

The ornaments are done when they are hard all the way through and sound hollow when tapped. Let them cool fully before painting.

Painting and sealing

1. Paint. Acrylic craft paint covers well. Use a base coat first, then add details with a fine brush or paint pens.
2. Add sparkle if you like. Glitter glue or fine glitter pressed into wet paint gives a festive touch.
3. Seal every surface. Salt dough draws moisture from the air, which softens it over time. A coat of clear varnish or a water-based sealant on the front, back and edges helps it last for years.
4. Thread a ribbon. Once the sealant is dry, loop a ribbon or twine through the hole and knot it.

A neat ribbon finish matters on small things. Our guide on how to tie a bow with ribbon covers bows that stay small and tidy.

Salt dough ornaments as gifts

Handmade ornaments make thoughtful presents for grandparents, teachers and neighbours. Some ideas:

• A handprint ornament with the child's name and year on the back.
• A set of three matching stars tied with twine and tucked into a small box.
• Gift tags shaped like initials, tied onto a wrapped parcel so they become a second present.
• A themed set added to a hamper; see our steps on how to make a gift basket.

Wrap each ornament in tissue so painted surfaces do not rub. The folding techniques in how to wrap a gift neatly work well for small, flat boxes.

A note on safety

Salt dough is not food. It is extremely salty and should be kept away from small children who might nibble it and from pets, especially dogs, which can be attracted to it and become seriously ill after eating it. Hang finished ornaments out of reach of curious animals, and if a pet does eat some, contact a vet promptly.

Troubleshooting

Why did my ornaments puff up?

The oven was too hot, or air was trapped in the dough. Lower the temperature, knead well, and prick thicker pieces lightly with a pin before baking.

Why are there cracks?

Drying too quickly, or dough that was too dry to begin with. Dry more slowly and add a touch more water next time. Small cracks can be filled with a paste of flour and water, then dried again.

Why did they go soft after a few weeks?

Moisture got in. Make sure every side, including the edge and the inside of the hanging hole, is sealed, and store ornaments somewhere dry between seasons.