It’s December, and Christmas is just 19 days away—so exciting! The closer it gets, the more the holiday magic fills the air. There’s so much to do, and time is flying, but I’m loving every moment. My kids joined me to make these fun and easy salt dough ornaments, and their joy made it all so special. Sure, cleaning up took a little extra time, but seeing their smiles and creativity was totally worth it. These moments are what make the season magical!
This year, I decided to switch things up and experiment with the traditional salt dough recipe. I replaced half the plain flour with cornstarch, and the results were amazing! The dough turned out more compact and solid, making it much easier to handle and perfect for crafting ornaments that hold their shape well. It’s a simple change, but I’m absolutely thrilled with it, and I’ll definitely be using this modified recipe from now on.
We had so much fun creating a variety of designs. From plain ornaments to stamped patterns, food-colored shapes, painted decorations, and even glittered creations, there was something for everyone to try. My kids were so patient, waiting eagerly for the ornaments to dry and harden before adding their personal touches. Watching them paint and decorate with such excitement was pure joy. It’s amazing how these little moments of crafting can bring so much happiness to the holiday season.
The finished ornaments turned out beautifully and are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for decorating the Christmas tree, but you can also use them in other ways. Hang them on wreaths, garlands, or other holiday decorations for an extra festive touch. You can even attach them to gift tags to add a handmade charm to your presents. The possibilities are endless, and they make such meaningful additions to your holiday decor.
I hope this inspires you to try making salt dough ornaments with your family or friends. It’s such a fun and creative way to spend time together while getting into the Christmas spirit. Wishing you lots of joy, laughter, and happy moments as you prepare for the big day!”
What’s Next:
- Start crafting and share your finished ornaments on Facebook or Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us @craftpassion—we’d love to see your creations!
- Pin this to your Pinterest board for future crafting inspiration.
- Share it with your DIY groups and plan a fun craft-along event.
- Need more ideas? Check out our collection of art & craft projects, especially Christmas crafts, for more holiday inspiration!
How To DIY Ornaments Using Salt Dough Method
Create beautiful and simple salt dough ornaments using an improved recipe that’s firmer and easier to work with, making crafting even more fun. This versatile dough is perfect for shaping, stamping, and decorating, allowing you to bring your holiday creativity to life. Once your ornaments are baked and cooled, the real fun begins—decorate them with stamps, vibrant paint, or shimmering glitter to add a personal and festive touch.
Materials
Salt Dough Recipe
- Plain flour, 1 cup
- Cornstarch, 1 cup
- Table salt, 1 cup
- Water, 3/4 cup
Decoration Option
- Food coloring
- Acrylic paint
- Craft glue and Glitters powder
Tools
- Cookie cutters
- Rubber stamp (Optional)
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Small drinking straw
- Baking sheet
- Baking tray
- Oven
Instructions
Salt Dough Recipe Instructions
- 1 - Prepare Ingredients
Gather all the listed materials and tools. Start by mixing the flour and salt together in a large bowl.
- 2 & 3 - Add Water Gradually
Slowly pour water into the flour and salt mixture. Avoid adding the entire glass at once—save some water for later adjustments if the dough feels too dry.
- 4 - Combine Without the Mess
Use a chopstick or similar tool to stir the mixture. This helps combine the ingredients while keeping your hands clean and sticky-free.
- 5 - Achieve the Right Consistency
Once mixed, the dough will appear flaky and slightly dry. - 6 - Knead to Perfection
Use your hands to knead the dough until it’s smooth and no longer sticky. If the dough feels too dry, add water drop by drop. If it’s too wet, sprinkle in some extra flour.
Making the Ornaments
- 7 & 8 - Prepare the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface, or use a non-stick baking sheet for easy transfer to the baking tray. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- 9 to 11 - Cut Shapes
Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes from the dough. This step is perfect for involving kids—they’ll love helping out! - 12 - Punch Hanging Holes
Use a small drinking straw to punch a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging later. - Transfer to the Baking Tray
Remove the excess dough, then carefully transfer the cut ornaments (along with the baking sheet) to a baking tray.
- Bake Slowly
Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature setting (around 220°F).
Bake the ornaments for at least 3 hours, flipping them every 30 minutes to ensure even drying.
Avoid using high heat—it can cause lumps or uneven surfaces. - Repeat with Leftover Dough
Re-roll any leftover dough and repeat the cutting and baking process until all the dough is used.
Optional Decorative Steps
- 13 to 16: Add Patterns
For extra flair, press rubber stamps gently into the dough using a rolling pin.
Carefully remove the stamps, cut the dough with cookie cutters, and punch a hanging hole as before.
- 17 - Add Color
Mix food coloring directly into the dough for vibrant ornaments. - 18 to 20 - Paint and Glitter
Once baked and cooled, paint the ornaments with acrylic paint. For added sparkle, brush craft glue onto specific areas and sprinkle glitter powder over it.
Final Touch
Tie a string or ribbon through the punched hole, and your ornaments are ready to hang! Use them to decorate your Christmas tree, gift packages, or other festive displays. Have fun and enjoy the creative process!
Meredith
Monday 9th of December 2013
I want to do handprint ornaments in my son's class. Will it stay soft enough for me to take it to school and have them put their handprints in it? I was planning on taking them all back home to bake them and then let them decorate them during their Christmas party.
Craft Passion
Monday 9th of December 2013
You can place the dough in an air-tight container after kneading the dough. It should be OK if the container is completely sealed, just in case it get a little dry out, you may add a few tiny drops of water and knead again to soften it. It is fine for your trip back, just make sure that they don't come into contact with water :)
Ramya
Sunday 8th of December 2013
Great idea Joanne! I made some with my son tonight but found I had a lot of dough remaining. How long can I store/keep this dough to use again another time? Once the ornaments are baked, is there a shelf life time? Thanks for your wonderful creativity and generosity in sharing all your crafts with us :)
Craft Passion
Monday 9th of December 2013
You may keep the dough in an airtight container and place it in the fridge for 24 hours. They are not permanent especially if you are living in a warm and humid country. It is the same as exposing cookies in open air, they will get stale, mold and mushy eventually. But, you can pro-long the life-time of the ornament but periodically drying them in the oven