The cool weather has begun creeping in, and within no time, we’ll start indulging in Christmas movies and plenty of family activities as we enjoy the holidays. If you’re looking for fun Christmas crafts to do with your kids, why not try salt dough ornaments?
Salt dough ornaments are easy-to-make vintage decor pieces that can bring fond memories of when we were little. They only require a few ingredients—salt, flour, and water—which are readily available in most homes and can be made into almost any shape.
Furthermore, the recipe can be customized with various essential oils, spices, and food coloring to lend the ornaments a particular scent or color. Nonetheless, the classic dough still looks beautiful on its own.
From homemade salt dough handprints and footprint ornaments to more Christmas-themed ones, the following salt dough ornaments will help kickstart your imagination and inspire you to make your own.
Take a look!
1. Make it Classy with a Whimsical Snowman
What better way to celebrate the magic of the season than with a salt dough of your newborn’s footprint for their first Christmas? This salt dough ornament features a cute snowman on a baby’s footprint.
2. Amaze with Santa Handprints
Santa handprint salt dough ornaments are one of the Christmas staples, and making them is a clever project that your kids will love being involved in.
They only need to press down their handprints into the dough before you cut around the print. Apply the appropriate paint to complete your masterpiece!
3. Bring Joy with a Christmas Tree
If you aren’t sure of what to make with your salt dough, a classic Christmas tree can never let you down. To make your tree even more unique, incorporate your kid’s fingerprints.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shape of the tree, then let your little one press her fingers into the dough to poke holes for the lights. Let the dough completely dry before adding details with a permanent marker and painting the lights with your fingers. Don’t forget to add the year!
4. Impress with a Lovely Foot Reindeer
Even though salt dough handprint ornaments are pretty popular, that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to handprints only—footprints will work just fine.
The above footprint reindeer and handprint salt dough ornaments are super easy to make and the perfect project for toddlers or preschool children. You can start a yearly tradition of making and keeping these as treasured keepsakes.
5. Bring Sweet Moments with Candy Cane Salt
The options for what you can make with your salt dough are endless. Here, candy cane salt dough ornaments beckon to all the sweet tooths.
You only need a cookie cutter to roll out your desired shape and a straw to make a hole at the top for the string. Once your dough is dry, paint and seal it with Mod Podge.
6. Bring Some Aroma with Gingerbread
Gingerbread men salt dough ornaments not only look fabulous but also fill your house with scents of the holiday season. They are made with similar salt dough recipes, with the only difference being the addition of cinnamon and cardamon—this adds the signature brown color and Christmasy smell.
The above design uses strips of fabric for the scarves and hangers for a textured look. Instead of the typical white paint, wild rose hips and dogwood seeds were used for the eyes and buttons (cloves or peppercorns are ideal, too).
7. Beautify Your Handprint Ornament
This palm face is a cutter version of the classic handprint salt dough ornament. The simple salt dough gets a splashy treatment with contrasting colors and cute detailing, with the golden twine adding extra pizzazz.
8. Excel with a Contemporary Snowman
This adorable salt dough ornament is easily shaped with a cookie cutter, and your kids will have fun making them! The black, white, and blue detailing brings some contemporary Christmas magic.
9. Showcase Your Love for Pets with a Paw Print
Your furry friends shouldn’t be left out of the season’s decorating. Roll out the salt dough, cut out stocking shapes using a cookie cutter, then press your pet’s paw into the dough.
Paint with your preferred colors and further personalize your ornaments with initials for your pets’ names. You can even make a few extra ones for your friends and family!
10. Savor the Memories
Handprint salt dough ornaments are undoubtedly the most heartfelt DIY Christmas ornaments. Whether you keep things really simple or improvise with the design, such as the finger snowmen used here, the end result is fantastic.
If you have more than one kid, be sure to include a name for each to create keepsake plaques that will be just as special in years to come.
11. Build a Salt Dough House Ornament
Get creative with this salt dough house ornament. Roll out the dough and shape them into tiny house fronts. Gold glitter on the door and windows adds some extra sparkle to the design.
Place your ornament directly in front of ambient lighting to showcase its full glory.
12. Reach for the Stars
Make your Christmas decor stand out with these salt dough star ornaments. Create an array of star shapes using cookie cutters and tie them together with a string before stretching them across a mantel or window for a charming holiday garland.
