Inspiration for Super Easy Salt Dough Ornaments

Some of the most memorable ornaments on our family Christmas Tree from when I was growing up are the salt dough ornaments my mom made with one of her friends before I was born. She always said they were super easy to make. I’ve always thought about making them myself and this year I decided to go for it. After all, hers have certainly lasted the test of time… 38ish years later (pictured here on white Christmas tree).

I was slightly intimidated about making these myself. My sugar cookie attempts have never seemed to really work out, but I’m happy to say this little experience has renewed my confidence.

Here’s how I made super easy salt dough ornaments

Tools and supplies you’ll need for the project:

• Mixing bowl
• Large spoon
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Straw or toothpick
• Baking sheet(s)
• Decoration: Glitter, paint, Mod Podge, yarn, and ribbons

Ingredients

• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup Salt
• 1/2 cup warm(ish) water

Instructions

Preheat oven: 200 degrees F

Combine flour, salt, and water. Mix together.

I found it easiest to mix together when a spoon and once the ingredients started to be pretty well mixed I ditched the spoon and kneaded together with my hands. If your dough seems too crumbly, just add a tiny bit more water. You don’t want it to get too sticky though! The water is just to bond the salt and flour.

Create a dough ball.

Place the parchment paper on the counter and sprinkle lightly with flour.

Remove dough from bowl, place on parchment paper

Use a rolling pin to roll out to desired thickness. Note: I made mine relatively thick, I didn’t want them to be too delicate when transferring to the cookie sheet for baking.

Use the cookie cutters to create your ornaments. My 7-year-old

nephew is currently crazy about dinosaurs so I had to throw one in there!

Transfer onto cookie sheets.

Create a hole for your string and/or hooks. I used a straw.

Place cookie sheets in the oven.

Bake three hours.

Remove cookie sheets from oven.

Allow to cool.

Remove cookies from cookie sheets. I left my salt dough ornaments on the counter overnight to continue to dry out.

Now it’s time to decorate!

This is when I would get the kiddos involved. Have fun – make memories! Get creative! Make sure you add the year so you can remember when they were made. Paint them, add glitter and bows or whatever you want. You can seal your ornaments with a layer of Mod Podge.

These super easy salt dough ornaments will bring a smile to your face every year you decorate the tree!

Looking for other holiday crafts, check out these little ornaments.

If you’re looking for great gifts this holiday season, check out Cotton Babies  we’ve always got something new and fun!