Looking for a rainy day project for yourself or the kids? How about salt dough home decor items? Salt dough is easy to make: just mix a cup and a half of salt, four cups of flour and about two cups of water. Mix with a spoon until it starts to become well-stirred, then continue mixing by using your hands to knead the dough until it’s ready.
You can split the dough into several sections, then add a different color of food coloring to each, so that the kids will have several colors from which to choose. Or, the dough designs can be painted and decorated after they’re finished. The dough can be formed into beads, ash trays, plates, and many other decor or craft items.
Have the kids wear thin plastic gloves to avoid having their hands turn colors from the food coloring. Allow them to use items from around the house, like plastic forks or plastic knives, to make shapes and designs. After the designs are formed bake the dough at a temperature of 300 degrees until the dough hardens.
Make beads by rolling pieces of dough into balls, ovals and other designs. Place a toothpick through the center and bake, with toothpick inserted, removing it after the beads are removed from the oven.
Use cookie cutters to make everything from ornaments to small name plaques to picture frames. Other items you can use to shape the dough include small bowls or cups. Turn the dish upside-down then position the dough over the bottom. Now remove it and place it on a cookie sheet to bake.
Roll the dough into a huge ball then flatten the bottom. Poke holes in the top with a pencil then bake. These make great pen and pencil holders for a desk. Paint it like an apple or other object. Or, flatten the dough on a piece of foil then use a toothpick to write whatever you wish. Poke the head of a nail about halfway into the top back section of the slab, in the center. This will give you a way to hang the sign when baked. After baking and painting the objects use a clear-coat lacquer to protect them.
The possibilities are endless when using the salt dough for crafts and decor pieces. And the best thing about the dough, when it comes to the children, is that it’s non-toxic. Of course, it’s not recommended that they eat it – it’s extremely salty – but if a little one happens to take a little nibble he’ll be fine.
Get together with your family on a rainy day and try this simple project. Cover the table with newspaper or a tablecloth from a dollar store and let ’em go to town. They’ll enjoy rolling, twisting and further shaping the dough, they’ll be proud of the pieces they make, and you’ll have spent some great quality time with your family. It’s a fun project that will produce pieces you’ll be happy to display for years to come.
