Keeping kids occupied with crafts doesn’t have to cost a thing. If you’ve never made salt dough before, you’re missing out on one of the easiest, cheapest and most versatile craft activities around. All you need is flour, salt and water — pantry staples you almost certainly have at home already.
Salt dough can be shaped into almost anything: trinkets, keepsakes, handmade gifts, Christmas ornaments and more. Once it’s baked and cooled, it’s ready to paint and keep for years to come — a lovely rainy-day project that ends with something to treasure.
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Salt Dough Recipe
To make your own batch of homemade salt dough, all you need are three simple ingredients:
- 250g flour
- 125g table salt
- 125–150ml water (approx)
Mix together the flour and salt, then gradually add water until the mixture comes together into a dough.
Sprinkle a little flour on your counter and tip out the dough. Knead it with your hands until there’s no trace of flour left and the dough is smooth and pliable.
Your salt dough is now ready to create with — roll it out, cut it into shapes, mould it, and let the kids get creative! Simple designs tend to work best, as they hold together more reliably before baking. Keep in mind that the thicker the dough, the longer it will take to harden.
When you’re ready, place the salt dough creations on a lined baking sheet and pop them into an oven preheated to 140C/280F to dry out. Baking time depends on the thickness and size of each piece, so start with around three hours and check from there, adding more time as needed.
That’s it — it really is that simple!
Any dough you don’t use straight away can be stored in an airtight container for a few days until your next crafting session.
How to Make Scented Salt Dough
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Ready to try something a little different? Add a subtle scent to your dough that lingers even after baking. This is especially fun for seasonal decorations — think warm spices like cinnamon, clove and ginger for a cosy, festive feel.
To make scented salt dough, stir 3–5 teaspoons of dried spices into the classic dough recipe above, adjusting the amount depending on how strong you’d like the scent to be. Feel free to mix and match spices to find your own favourite combination.
Other lovely options to try include pumpkin spice, lemon, orange, ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, mixed spice, coffee, peppermint or vanilla. Your whole house will smell wonderful while the kids get creative.
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Painting and Decorating Your Salt Dough
Once the dough has dried out and hardened, let it cool completely before painting. If you’d rather split the project across two days, the dried, cooled dough can simply be stored until your next crafting session — handy if younger children have lost interest by the time the baking’s done.
When it’s time to paint, acrylic paints work best. For pieces you want to keep — like Christmas decorations — or items that will be handled often, such as a trinket box, it’s worth sealing the paint with a layer of varnish or white PVA glue, both easy to find in any craft shop. Sealing helps your creations last much longer, as unsealed salt dough can soften over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat salt dough?
No — salt dough is for crafting only, not eating. It contains far too much salt to be edible and isn’t made to any food-safe standard, so keep an eye on younger children while they’re working with it.
Why does my salt dough crack while baking?
Cracking usually happens when the dough is too thick, baked at too high a heat, or dried too quickly. Keep pieces reasonably thin and even, use a low oven temperature, and give the dough plenty of time to dry slowly rather than rushing it.
How long does salt dough last once it’s finished?
Painted and sealed salt dough creations can last for years if kept somewhere dry. Without a sealant, salt dough is more sensitive to moisture and can soften or degrade over time, so sealing is worth the extra step for anything you want to keep.
Can unused dough be saved for later?
Yes — simply store any leftover unbaked dough in an airtight container and use it within a few days for your next crafting session.
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Looking for More Rainy Day Ideas?
Salt dough is just one of many budget-friendly crafts that can turn a dull afternoon into a fun family activity. Browse more of our easy, at-home craft ideas for plenty of inspiration next time you need to keep little hands busy.
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