Salt dough looks like Play-Doh, but can be baked to preserve your creation. It is an easy and affordable alternative to crafting with artist’s clay.
Salt dough can be made with common ingredients from your kitchen pantry. You will need:
2 cups flour
½ cup salt
¾ cup hot water
Combine the flour, water, and salt together in a large bowl to make your dough. It will feel a bit drier than purchased Play-Doh, but this is completely normal.
Roll the dough into a flat circle, using a plate to create the desired shape. Gently press your baby’s hand into the middle of the circle. If it takes you a few tries to get a clear impression, don’t worry! One of the best things about salt dough crafts is that you can simply squish your mistakes back into a ball and start over.
Use a pencil or the tip of a kitchen knife to poke a hole in the top of your ornament so you will be able to hang it when you are finished.
When you’re satisfied with your creation, place it on a plate and microwave for approximately three minutes. Use a potholder to remove the plate and wait for your baby handprint craft to cool.
If you don’t want to use the microwave, you can bake your salt dough ornament on a cookie sheet with a silicone liner at 250 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 to 3 hours. Your design may brown slightly, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you are planning to paint the project.
Some people like to simply air dry their salt dough ornaments, especially those who live in dry climates. However, this is not recommended since it will result in an ornament that is more fragile and prone to breakage.