There’s something magical about crafting your own holiday decorations—especially when it’s simple, fun, and budget-friendly. Did you know salt dough crafts date back centuries? It’s true! They’ve been a go-to for families wanting to add a handmade touch to their holidays. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make DIY Salt Dough Ornaments with just three pantry staples. Whether you’re a parent trying to entertain the kids, or just looking to sprinkle some crafty charm on your Christmas tree, this one’s for you!
What You Need to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
Alright, let’s talk supplies. The beauty of making salt dough ornaments is that it’s seriously one of the most budget-friendly crafts out there. Like, if you’ve got flour, salt, and water in your pantry, you’re already 90% there. No joke.
🎯 Pantry Staples You Already Have
When I first did this with my niece last December, I didn’t even have to hit the store. Just grabbed:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of regular table salt
- 1 cup of lukewarm water (I eyeball it, but start slow)
That’s the base. You mix those up and boom—you’ve got your dough. If it’s too sticky, toss in a little more flour. Too dry? A splash more water. Super chill and flexible.
💎 Extras to Make It Pop
Now, if you’re feeling a little fancy—and let’s be real, who isn’t when it comes to Christmas ornament ideas—you can add:
- A few drops of food coloring (red and green always slap during the holidays)
- Glitter (yes, it gets everywhere, but it’s ✨holiday✨ so who cares?)
- A tiny splash of peppermint extract for that cozy scent
Honestly, the peppermint one? Game changer. My kitchen smelled like a candy cane wonderland for two days.
🔧 Tools You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy)
Okay, here’s the gear:
- Big mixing bowl
- Measuring cups (don’t stress if you eyeball it)
- Rolling pin (or a wine bottle—been there)
- Cookie cutters (stars, trees, snowflakes, or even just a cup rim)
- A straw (yep, for making the hole where you’ll thread the string)
We used a plastic straw from an old iced coffee and it worked like a charm.
If you’re doing holiday crafts for kids, keep things simple and safe. Skip anything sharp or messy, and maybe cover your table with an old shower curtain. Learned that the hard way after a glitter explosion of ’23.
🏠 Keep It Homey
Don’t overthink this. The goal here isn’t Martha Stewart perfection—it’s about memory-making, giggling over lumpy snowmen, and proudly hanging up something you made with your own two hands.
Whether you’re going full-blown DIY Christmas decor or just looking to fill a snowy afternoon with something creative, this setup is easy, cheap, and super satisfying. Plus, the kids stay busy for like… an hour. That’s parenting gold right there.
Next up? I’ll walk you through actually making the dough without it turning into a sticky mess. And yes, I’ve totally made the mistake of adding too much water. Story incoming…
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Dough
Alright, now for the hands-on part—actually making the dough. Spoiler alert: it’s way easier than baking cookies and twice as forgiving. The first time I tried this salt dough recipe, I was convinced I’d mess it up. But even my lopsided snowflakes turned out adorable (and hey, that’s the charm, right?).
🥣 Start With the Dry Mix
Grab a big ol’ bowl and dump in:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
Give it a quick whisk or stir. It’s honestly like prepping a playdough base. Super chill. I once tried sifting the flour like I was baking a wedding cake… total overkill. Just mix it straight up.
💧 Add the Water Slowly
This part is KEY. Slowly pour in about 1 cup of lukewarm water while mixing. Don’t dump it all in at once unless you enjoy scraping dough goo off your countertop for the next hour (ask me how I know 🙃).
Start mixing with a spoon, but eventually, you’ll want to dive in with your hands. It should feel smooth and pliable, like soft pizza dough. If it’s sticking to your hands like a clingy toddler—sprinkle in more flour. Too crumbly? Drizzle a tiny bit more water.
✨ Want to Jazz It Up?
Here’s where the magic comes in for homemade Christmas decorations:
- Add red or green food coloring before kneading for colored dough
- Mix in glitter for a sparkly touch (my niece calls it “fairy dust”)
- Drop in a little cinnamon or vanilla extract for extra holiday vibes
We once made gingerbread man shapes and scented the dough with cinnamon. They looked and smelled like the real thing—until my nephew tried to eat one. Lesson learned: label the “non-edible” crafts 😅
🤲 Kneading Is Therapeutic
Spend about 5 minutes kneading the dough on a floured surface. I usually hum Christmas songs while doing this because, yes, I’m that person. The dough should be smooth and elastic—not sticky or cracking.
Once it feels just right, you’re golden. Wrap it in plastic wrap if you’re not using it right away. Or better yet—roll up your sleeves and get cutting. The fun part is coming up fast.
If you’re doing this as part of your Christmas crafts for kids lineup, let them help with mixing and kneading. Just be prepared for flour handprints on everything. But hey, that’s part of the holiday mess magic, right?
Shaping and Baking Your Ornaments
Okay, here comes the fun part—cutting out your shapes and bringing them to life! This is where your Christmas ornament DIY starts to look like, well, actual ornaments. And let me tell you, there’s something oddly satisfying about punching snowflake shapes out of homemade dough.
📏 Roll It Just Right
Roll your dough out to about ¼ inch thick. That’s the sweet spot. Too thin? It’ll crack like dry pie crust. Too thick? It’ll take forever to dry and might puff weird. I learned that the hard way after a batch of thick candy cane shapes turned into bloated blobs.
Use a floured surface and a rolling pin. No rolling pin? Wine bottle. Been there, used that. If you’re doing holiday crafts for children, give them plastic cups to roll with—no sharp edges, and they feel super important.
🍪 Time to Cut!
Grab your cookie cutters and go wild:
- Trees, stars, and gingerbread men are classics.
- Try letters to spell names or “2025” for keepsake vibes.
- Heck, we even used a dinosaur cutter one year. “Holiday dino” was a hit.
After you’ve cut them out, don’t forget the most important part—use a straw to poke a little hole near the top for hanging. I’ve forgotten before and had to glue string on the back. Spoiler: it doesn’t hold up.
🔥 Bake or Air Dry?
Now comes the big choice: bake or let ‘em dry naturally.
Baking:
- Set oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Place shapes on parchment paper.
- Bake for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway.
This is faster and gives a nice hardness. I usually go this route because I’m impatient and want to start painting by evening.
Air drying:
- Place on a rack or flat tray.
- Leave in a warm, dry place for 24–48 hours.
This method’s perfect if you’re not in a rush or if you’re worried about uneven baking. Just make sure the kids don’t try to “test touch” them every hour. We had some smudgy snowmen once thanks to little fingers.
🙌 Keep It Lighthearted
Look, these aren’t going to look like they came from a fancy boutique. That’s the point. Lopsided stars? Love ‘em. Weirdly thick angels? Display that chunky cherub proudly. It’s all part of what makes easy Christmas crafts at home feel real and special.
These little ornaments aren’t just decor—they’re tiny time capsules. Every dent, every fingerprint… that’s a memory baked right in. Next up, let’s get colorful. Painting and decorating is where your creations really come to life!
Decorating Your Ornaments
Okay, let’s be real—this is where the magic happens. After they’ve cooled off, your plain salt dough ornaments become a blank canvas for full-on festive chaos (in the best way). I swear, the decorating stage is what turns a simple project into a full-blown Christmas arts and crafts party.
🎨 Break Out the Paints
Acrylic paint works best. It dries quick, it’s bright, and it won’t flake off. We’ve tried markers, watercolors, even nail polish once (don’t recommend). Stick with acrylic and you’re golden.
Set everything up on an old newspaper or cardboard box—trust me. I still have a red paint stain on my kitchen table from a “creative moment” involving my nephew and a Santa ornament.
Here’s what we love to do:
- Red and green stripes on candy canes
- Blue snowflakes with white dots for snow
- Gold stars (metallic paint looks legit fancy)
For painted Christmas ornaments that pop, layer your colors and let each coat dry before adding the next. Patience = less smudging.
🖍️ Personalize It
This is where the sentimental stuff sneaks in—and I love it. Grab a paint pen or Sharpie and add:
- The year (“2025” is gonna be a keeper)
- Your kid’s name or initials
- A short holiday message (“Peace,” “Joy,” or our fave: “More Cookies Please”)
These touches turn basic DIY holiday crafts for kids into lifelong keepsakes. We have one from 2018 that says “Mommy Rocks” in crooked letters. I guard that thing like it’s Fabergé.
✨ Add Sparkle (or Not)
If you’re like me and think everything’s better with a little glitter… now’s your time. Brush on a bit of glue (mod podge works great), then sprinkle like you’re frosting a cupcake.
Want more shine? Hit it with a clear varnish once everything’s dry. It seals the color and gives it that store-bought shine—without the store-bought price tag. This step really upgrades your custom Christmas decorations game.
Just a heads-up: varnish stinks. Like, bad. Do it near an open window or outside if you can.
👨👩👧👦 Make It a Craft Night
Here’s my best advice? Don’t rush it. Put on a cheesy Christmas movie, pour some cocoa, and make it an experience. The mess will be worth it—promise. And if your snowman ends up looking more like a melted potato, just call it “abstract.”
Decorating is where personalities come out. My daughter once painted a batman-themed ornament and insisted it still go on the tree. You better believe it’s front and center every year.
Hanging and Displaying Your Ornaments
Ahh, the grand finale. You’ve mixed, shaped, baked, painted—now it’s time to hang your creations and let them shine like the holiday stars they are. I still remember the first time we hung our homemade Christmas tree decorations—our tree was chaotic, messy, and totally perfect.
🧵 Add the Final Touch: Twine, Ribbon, or String
Remember that hole you made with the straw? This is where it pays off. Grab:
- Twine (gives that rustic, farmhouse vibe)
- Festive ribbon (classic red, plaid, metallic gold—go wild)
- Plain string or yarn (easy and kid-friendly)
Loop it through the hole and tie it off. Boom—your ornament is officially ready for showtime.
One year, I ran out of string and used dental floss. Honestly? Worked like a charm and smelled minty fresh. 😂
🎄 Where to Hang ‘Em
Of course, the Christmas tree is the main event. But don’t stop there. These DIY Christmas ornaments for kids make adorable little additions to:
- Garland on the mantel
- Holiday wreaths
- Gift tags on presents (yes, you can glue them on!)
- Doorknobs for a festive touch
My mom even tied one to the dog’s collar once. He hated it—but it was cute while it lasted.
📸 Create a Memory Display
Here’s a tip if you’re a bit of a sentimental sap like me: hang them by year or kid. Each ornament tells a little story, especially the messy ones. We have a “2020” one that’s just a red blob. Pandemic project. Still goes up every year.
Try creating a dedicated “memory section” on the tree—like a little timeline of your family’s holiday evolution. Bonus: it’s a great conversation starter when guests come over.
🏠 Don’t Forget the Decor Vibes
If you’re into holiday home decor, these little pieces add such a cozy, handmade touch. Think warm lights, pine garlands, cinnamon candles—and your own crafty ornaments dangling everywhere. It’s like Pinterest, but real and lived-in.
Plus, they store easily. I wrap ours in paper towels, stick ’em in a shoebox, and they survive year to year without a scratch.
Tips for Crafting with Kids
Let’s be honest—doing Christmas crafts for children sounds adorable… until someone spills glitter in the dog’s water bowl. I’ve been there. But with a little prep (and a lot of patience), crafting salt dough ornaments with kids can be one of the most heartwarming parts of the season.
💡 Keep It Simple (Like, Really Simple)
Don’t overthink it. Kids don’t care if the paint matches or the ornament is “Pinterest-perfect.” They want to squish dough and make a mess. Give them just a few options at a time—two cookie cutters, two paint colors, one paintbrush. Trust me, less chaos = more fun.
When I let my 5-year-old niece go full buffet-style with supplies, she created a Christmas tree… with legs. It’s still hanging on my fridge.
🎨 Let Them Lead (Even If It’s Weird)
I used to try guiding the kids: “Don’t mix the colors!” “Let’s paint inside the lines!” Yeah, that lasted five minutes. These are easy DIY holiday projects, not final exams. Let them experiment. Let them paint a red snowman with purple eyes. That’s the magic.
And when you let go of control? You start enjoying it more, too.
🧽 Set Up a Craft Zone
Pick a spot where spills don’t matter. Lay down newspaper or an old tablecloth, keep wipes nearby, and wear old clothes. I learned the hard way that acrylic paint doesn’t come out of jeans… or couch cushions.
Pro tip: Use muffin tins to organize supplies. One slot for glitter, one for glue, one for mini ornaments. It’s a lifesaver.
📸 Make It a Family Tradition
We do this every year now. Everyone makes at least one ornament—yes, even the grumpy teens and the sleepy uncle. We write the date on the back and save them all. Over time, it becomes this amazing little timeline of your holidays together.
And when the kids look back years from now and see their crooked reindeer from age six? Pure gold.
🥰 Embrace the Mess
Honestly, the best part of these holiday craft activities is the mess. It means you made something. It means you laughed. It means you didn’t just watch another holiday movie—you created something together.
So, grab the paint. Crank up the Christmas music. And if someone ends up with glitter eyebrows, just call it “holiday spirit.”
And there you have it—your very own DIY Christmas crafts that are equal parts nostalgic, messy, and magical. Salt dough ornaments might be simple, but they hold so much heart. Whether you’re wrangling toddlers, bonding with teens, or just feeling crafty on a snowy afternoon, this little project brings people together like nothing else.
Every smudge of paint, every lopsided star, every glitter-covered cookie cutter—that’s a memory in the making. These aren’t just handmade Christmas decorations, they’re time capsules of giggles, cocoa breaks, and the quiet joy of doing something creative together.
So the next time you’re planning family holiday traditions, don’t overthink it. Pull out the flour and salt, crank the Christmas playlist, and start rolling. You’ll end up with more than ornaments—you’ll have keepsakes that come out year after year, carrying the warmth of every season past.
📌 Loved this project? Save it to your holiday Pinterest board and share the festive spirit with your friends and family! Spread the sparkle—one handmade ornament at a time. 🎄✨
