Salt Dough Projects with Kids
Salt dough is one of the least expensive modelling materials, made from pantry staples rather than a bought clay. It holds detail well, which is why it suits keepsakes such as a handprint plaque or simple ornaments. The trade-off is time: the shaping takes minutes, but the drying is slow and unhurried, so this is a good project to begin earlier in the day.
The basic recipe
A reliable starting ratio is two parts all-purpose flour to one part table salt, with water added a little at a time. The dough should hold together without sticking heavily to your hands. Children can measure and stir, while an adult judges when to stop adding water.
For one small batch
- About 250 ml (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- About 125 ml (1/2 cup) table salt
- Water, added slowly — roughly 125 ml, but stop when the dough is firm
- Optional: a drinking straw to make a hole for hanging ornaments
Shaping ideas
Pressed impressions
Roll the dough flat and press in clean, dry objects such as a leaf, a seashell, or a cookie cutter. Lift the object away to leave an impression. This is the easiest approach for very young children because it does not rely on fine modelling.
Hanging ornaments
Cut shapes from rolled dough and make a small hole near the top with a straw before drying, so a ribbon can be threaded through once the piece is hard.
Salt dough is not food. Even though the ingredients are edible on their own, the high salt content means finished and raw pieces should be kept away from young children's mouths and from pets.
Drying without cracking
Slow drying gives the best result. Pieces can air-dry over a day or two, or finish in an oven set to its lowest temperature for several hours, turned occasionally. Thicker pieces take longer and are more likely to crack, so keep shapes relatively thin and even. The oven step is the part an adult should handle.
- Air-dry first if you can. Leave shapes on a rack for a few hours so the surface firms up.
- Use a low oven. Place pieces on a lined tray and dry slowly rather than baking quickly.
- Cool fully before painting. Once hard and cool, pieces can be painted and, if you wish, sealed with a clear craft varnish by an adult.
For wider background on this kind of modelling material, Wikipedia's entry on salt dough gives a short, neutral overview. General product-safety information for families is available from Health Canada.