A Family Christmas Activity: Salt Dough Ornaments

Christmas really is the most magical time of year… and yearly Christmas traditions are the stuff childhood memories are made of. Traditions are made in all the little details— the smells, sounds, tastes and holiday fun together; these all cement the concept of Christmas into your little one’s mind. One activity you can do with the kids that's fun, simple and easy is Salt Dough Ornaments.

This activity is so fun for kids and is sure to create those childhood memories. Make these ornaments together to hang on the little Christmas trees in their rooms or on your Christmas tree. Have them write something on the ornament to encapsulate that cute little handwriting or put their handprint on the ornament. It all goes too quickly so capture those sweet moments. 

Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water (you may need a little more or less)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

2. Add Water: Gradually add the water to the flour-salt mixture, stirring continuously until the dough starts to come together.

3. Knead the Dough: Once the dough begins to form, knead it on a clean surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a few drops of water.

4. Roll Out the Dough: Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness using a rolling pin. Make sure the surface is lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking.

5. Cut Out Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, hearts, trees, or any design you like. You can also freehand shapes or use a knife to make custom designs.

6. Make a Hole for Hanging: Use a straw or a skewer to make a small hole at the top of each ornament, so you can hang them later with a ribbon or string.

7. Bake the Ornaments: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Place the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of your ornaments. Thinner ones may take less time, so check them occasionally to make sure they don’t burn. The ornaments should be hard and dry when they’re finished.

   Tip: To prevent warping, you can flip the ornaments halfway through baking.

8. Cool Completely: Let the ornaments cool completely before decorating.