3-Ingredient Extra Simple Salt Dough Recipe For Ornaments

It’s easy and fun to make some adorable decorations from salt dough. The greatest thing is that you can make your own salt dough right at home with only 3 simple ingredients. You can also let your kids join in this fun activity. Salt dough can be used to create many lovely and unique decorations, such as ornaments and lasting keepsakes with your personal touch. This kind of DIY salt dough project is affordable and definitely a great way for you to spend a joyful time with your family or kids.

So, check your kitchen counter right away for ingredients and try to see how easy this salt dough recipe will be. We also provide you with some choices of great tools so that you can create flawless salt dough ornaments. Let’s start this fun craft right away!

What is Salt Dough?

Salt dough is an easy and moldable medium for creating ornaments and miniature sculptures. It is pliable, allowing you to shape and customize items easily. While the main ingredient is all-purpose flour, the salt acts as a natural preservative that keeps your creations last for years. 

Salt dough is the favorite choice of many people for DIY crafts because of its non-toxic ingredients and low cost. Moreover, you seem to be able to get all the things for the salt dough recipe you need right in the kitchen. After shaping, the dough can be air-dried or baked to solidify and decorate later. It’s a fun, adaptable creative activity that will be suitable for all ages!

Simple & Easy Salt Dough Recipe 

As easy as it gets, the salt dough recipe has just only 3 ingredients. And the best part is that you likely have everything in your pantry that you will need. Let’s break it down so you can get started on your salt dough creations!

Tools You Will Need 

Before putting your hand into making salt dough craft, you need to take out the following items: 

• Mixing bowl – to mix the ingredients. 
• Spatula/Wooden spoon – to combine & stir the ingredients. 
• Rolling pin – for rolling out the salt dough.  
• Cookie cutters – to shape the dough.
• Oven & Baking sheet – for baking the salt dough. 
• Paint tool – to paint the ornaments after baking.

Optional things:

• Toothpick, skewer, lollipop stick, or straw – To create hanging holes in ornaments.
• Threading ribbon or twine – To hang the ornaments.
• Glitter & sealant – For a beautiful & lasting finish. 

Ingredients Of Salt Dough Recipe

As we said, you only prepare 3 ingredients to make salt dough. You can start right away because they probably are available on your counter now. 

Ingredients Name	Content
All-purpose flour/ Plain flour	2 cups
Table salt	1 cup
Tap water	1 cup

How To Make Salt Dough – Step-by-step Guide

It’s exciting and easy to get your kids involved in making salt dough. Anyone can do this and have success from the first time. Keep in mind that salt dough is not edible so you can choose to buy cheap ingredients to save cost. 

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Don’t forget to line a baking sheet with parchment.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, put all the all-purpose flour and salt together. Then, use the spoon to stir them together until evenly distributed. Then, gradually add the warm water to the dry mixture, stirring constantly until it begins to form a ball.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Once the mixture comes together in a shaggy ball, place it onto a flat surface and knead the dough with your hand for about 5–10 minutes. You can stop when the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and not sticky. If it is dry, you can add a teaspoon of water at a time. If the salt dough is too sticky, try adding more flour.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Use a rolling pin and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. This is a perfect thickness for any of your desirable shapes.

Step 5: Cut Your Shapes 

Use cookie cutters of your favorite to cut out desired shapes. For ornaments, use a toothpick or straw to poke a hole at the top for threading ribbon or twine later. 

Step 6: Bake the Dough

Transfer the shapes to a baking sheet. Bake for about 3 hours and don’t forget to flip halfway through. The ornaments should be hard and dry after the time. The baking time will vary based on the thickness, so you need to keep an eye on your salt dough ornaments. 

Let the baked ornaments cool entirely before painting. Then you can decorate your salt dough items with paint and glitter.

Pro Tips For Perfect Salt Dough Crafting

Salt dough making is fun and rewarding, but a few pro tips can take your crafting to the next level! These tricks will ensure your dough is creative and lasting. 

No Bake Salt Dough Recipe

If you want to skip using the oven, a no-bake salt dough recipe is a great alternative. It will take longer to air dry, but it’s equally fun and effective in crafting ornaments or keepsakes. Once you have shaped your creations, take the shapes and place them on a flat surface lined with parchment paper or a non-stick mat. 

Allow them to dry in the air for 2–7 days at room temperature, depending on their thickness. Flip them sometimes so that they dry out evenly. To hasten the drying process, place the creations near a fan or open a window for good ventilation. 

Amazing Salt Dough Ornament Ideas

If this is your first time trying a salt dough recipe, you may want to look for some inspiration. Here are some excellent salt dough ideas you must try:  

Handprint Keepsakes – It’s perfect for kids or family projects to capture great moments in time.  

Pet Paw Prints – This is a sweet way for you to commemorate your furry friend.  

Holiday Ornaments – Shape rounds, stars, trees, hearts, socks, snowflakes, and candy sticks are some favorite choices of many people for the coming Christmas. 

Nature Imprints – You can press leaves, flowers, or shells into the dough to have unique textures on it.

Letter & Number Shapes – These shapes are great for educational purposes or home decor.  

Pendants – Round, oval, and heart are the most common shapes that you can try.

Tips To Preserve Finished Salt Dough Ornaments

For long-lasting salt dough ornaments, seal them properly with a clear acrylic sealant, sealer, or varnish to prevent moisture, and chipping as well as achieve a glossy finish. Store them in a cool, dry place and away from humidity, since it may weaken the dough over time. While salt dough is generally durable, it can be fragile if dropped. Padded storage containers will further protect the ornaments and keep them intact.

Tips To Preserve Left-over Dough

If you happen to have some leftover salt dough, don’t throw it away! You can wrap it closely with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out. The wrapped dough can last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then, let it come to room temperature and slightly knead before use. For long-term storage, you need to freeze the dough. Thaw the freezer dough in the refrigerator overnight and then knead it well to regain its texture when needed.

Recommended Tools To Make Salt Dough

Great tools will help you have awesome salt dough ornaments. That’s why we are providing you with some suggestions of tools to best support you in salt dough crafting. 

Bottom Line

So, you can see the salt dough recipe is super easy and fun to join. You just need all-purpose flour, salt, water, and some basic tools to start this activity. It is great and meaningful if you can make a keepsake or ornament on your own and give it to your loved one. This kind of gift is adorable and will last for years to come. It’s time for you to gather your ingredients and let your creativity run wild.