We are always on the lookout for new craft ideas and inspiration. We like to try new things…to experience new processes…to create something that we’ve never made before. As you all know by now, we are in full-fledged Easter mode. And lately, we’ve been loving a good multi-step craft project. Making Salt Dough Easter Ornaments checked both boxes, and we could not be more pleased with how they all turned out!
I’ve come across numerous salt dough projects on Instagram and Pinterest, and for some reason we’ve just never attempted any of them. But when we stumbled upon Gabrielle’s Salt Dough Easter Eggs post (over on Design Mom), we jumped for joy and decided that it was finally time to give salt dough a try!
I’m here to tell you that we’ve totally been missing out. I mean, the salt dough recipe could not be any easier. The dough comes together like a dream! And the consistency makes it incredibly easy for little helping hands! Our little nugget loved that she was able to take charge of every step in the ornament-making process. She measured out all of the ingredients, stirred them all together, kneaded the dough, rolled the dough, cut out her favorite Easter shapes, popped them all onto cookies sheets, and quickly added a little hole (for hanging) in each ornament. She was one happy camper…and we had yet to even reach the decorating/painting potion of the project. π
Salt Dough Easter Ornaments
Step One – Making the Salt Dough Ornaments
Ingredients/Supplies:
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup Salt
- 1/2 Cup Water
- Rolling Pin
- Easter Cookie Cutters (we used the same cookie cutters that we purchased at Target for our Easter Sensory Bin)
- Straw
- Parchment Paper
- Cookie Sheet(s)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 250Β° F. Line a cookie sheet (or two) with parchment paper, and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, salt, and water. Mix until a dough ball begins to form.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it with your hands for a couple of minutes.
- Sprinkle a bit of flour onto a flat surface and roll out the dough to an approximate 1/4″ thickness.
- Cut out your desired shapes and transfer them to the parchment-lined cookie sheet(s).
- Now, it’s time to add the hole that will allow you to hang your ornaments. Using the end of a straw, poke a small hole into each ornament, making sure that the hole goes all the way through the salt dough.
- Pop the ornaments into the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours.
- Remove the ornaments from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack, to cool completely.
Note: This salt dough recipe yields approximately 16-18 ornaments (depending on your cookie cutter size and dough thickness).
Step Two – Painting the Salt Dough Ornaments
Supplies:
- Salt Dough Ornaments (from step one)
- Acrylic Paint (in the colors of your choosing)
- Paintbrush
- Plastic Tablecloth/Messy Mat (optional)
Instructions:
The intention of this step is to get one base color/coat of paint onto each of the ornaments.
- We highly recommend laying out a plastic tablecloth, or some other form of messy mat, to contain any excess paint.
- Pick a color of acrylic paint for each ornament. Using a paintbrush, paint the top and sides of each ornament in the desired color.
- Set the ornaments aside to dry for a couple of hours.
- Once the paint has dried completely, flip the ornaments over and paint the reverse sides, until each ornament is thoroughly covered in a vibrant Spring color.
- Set the ornaments aside to dry, once again.
Step Three – Decorating the Salt Dough Ornaments
Supplies:
- Painted Salt Dough Ornaments (from step two)
- Acrylic Paint (in a variety of complimentary/decorative colors)
- Paintbrushes (in a variety of shapes/sizes)
- Yarn/Twine/Ribbon
- Plastic Tablecloth/Messy Mat (optional)
- Minwax Polycrylic Crystal Clear Protective Finish (optional)
- Metal Tree Ornament DisplayΒ (optional)
Instructions:
- Once again, we highly recommend laying out a plastic tablecloth, or some other form of messy mat, to contain any excess paint.
- Now, it’s time to bring your Easter ornaments to life! Grab your paint and paintbrushes and get ready to add a bit of character to each ornament.
- Decorate each ornament in any way your heart desires…let your creativity run wild!
- Once you’re satisfied with each piece, set them aside to dry completely.
- If you would like to add a bit more long-lasting protection to your ornaments, feel free to paint over them with a thin coat of clear protective finish. Let dry completely.
- For the finishing touch, string a piece of yarn, twine, or ribbon through the hole in each ornament. Secure with a knot. Hang your Easter ornaments on display for an extra-special touch of holiday decor. We love how ours look hanging from our metal tree display that we found on Amazon – it’s the perfect centerpiece for our dining room table!
Our daughter was absolutely thrilled during each phase of this Easter ornament project. She was able to get her hands dirty in the kitchen…and get creative with paint (two of her favorite activities)! π
We will definitely be doing more salt dough projects in the future! What are some of your favorite ways to use salt dough? Feel free to share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
HAPPY EASTER!
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