Easy DIY Salt Dough Keepsakes

Easy DIY salt dough keepsakes are fun for the whole family. I may not have small children at home any longer, but I still make these salt dough ornaments and diffusers every Christmas with cinnamon! These keepsakes are the perfect fun craft for the smaller children around this time of year, but we can’t leave out the older children!

I have the perfect craft for them too! Be sure to check out my Farmhouse and Primitive Stocking Pattern blog so they can make beautiful decorations for the holidays!

Making the salt dough is very easy. It can be made for several holidays including Valentine’s Day, Christmas or just for a rainy day craft for the family. The ingredients are low cost too. Fortunately, you may choose cheaper grades of ingredients since they won’t be eaten. Often, no brands or even from the Dollar stores brands would be sufficient.

Adding Color to Salt Dough

There are a few options to color or not to color. If you don’t color the final product, they will be near white. Food coloring can be used in the mix, or they can be painted once they are dried. If you like the color and scent of cinnamon, add 1 tablespoon to the flour before mixing the other ingredients. Any option still makes for an easy DIY salt dough craft. It is best to use the Dollar store cinnamon and save the good stuff for baking.

**beet juice, coffee, spinach juice or carrot juice may be used in the water to naturally color the dough

Ingredients for Salt Dough 

• 1 cup of flour-pre-sift, you may even use self-rising if you have any out of its prime
• ½ cup salt-any salt, colored salt is fine too as long as it is ground fine for best results
• **½ cup boiling water or near boiling

Directions for Making Salt Dough Keepsakes

• Whisk the flour and the salt together
• If you are adding cinnamon, now is the time to add it
• Add water until a firm dough ball is formed
• Knead until smooth and pliable. This may take 10-15 minutes or longer ***
• Lightly dust the area with flour or use a silicone mat
• Roll out with a rolling pin approximately ¼ inch thin. If you only want texture, now would be the time to use a rolling pin with indentions.
• Scrapbooking supplies with texture can be used also as an embossing folder and a wheel with impressions

***If you have hand issues as I have, I actually use a stand mixer for most of all the kneading with a dough hook attachment. (no shame in that).

Storing the Salt Dough

You may choose to make the dough and store it until ready. The dough will keep for several days if the container is air-tight. Only work with a manageable amount at a time, keep the rest covered with a damp towel or in an air-tight container.

For storing the salt dough try to use recycled jars, canning jars and I use the brown butter crock for my cinnamon salt dough just so I know which one it is.

Cutting Out the Salt Dough

Cut out the shapes, using a knife, cookie cutter or another object. If you want really smooth edges, dip your finger in water to smooth the edges. Using a finger to make a fingerprint impression is a cute option. Turn the thumb in the left and right direction forming a heart. Use a straw or skewer to make a hole in the top or 2 holes to later thread through and tie a knot in the top like a button.

Salt Dough Stencils and Textures

Look around your home for items that can emboss or give a texture to the salt dough. Listed below are some of my favorite items:

• rubber stamps
• meat tenderizer
• ice pick
• fork
• screen
• wire strainer
• silicone molds
• rolling pin with embossing in them
• pendants
• medallions

A trick I use every single day to stamp my soaps is to use plastic wrap cling. I am not fond of plastic anything but I find it crucial to ensure the soaps do not get stuck in the rubber stamp when I stamp my soaps. This will also protect your item that is embossed if pushing salt dough over it for an impression.

Salt Dough Diffusers

It’s so much fun to make the diffusers. It is easy to make a salt dough diffuser ornament, necklace, or hanging diffuser. Make a small ornament or bead, create a hole for hanging, proceed as directed above. If making several beads, push them through a skewer and let them dry naturally. If drying them in the oven, you will need to prop the ends up so the beads’ impressions are not touching the pan.

Once the ornament is thoroughly dry, add a few drops of pure essential oils. Hang to dry immediately, you don’t want any oils dripping on anything that could be damaged by the essential oils.

Making Other Salt Dough Keepsakes

If you would like to make another craft besides a rolled dough keepsakes, here are some more ways to make an easy DIY salt dough keepsake:

• Roll into little balls, push a skewer through the holes and make beads for a necklace or to string
• Form a coil and make a coaster, ensure to seal it well-used felt or wool on the bottom to prevent scratching surfaces
• Form into a 2-inch heart and push a tea light into it to make an indent and dry, then you will be able to use a tealight candle in it once it’s dried. (best to use the kind that has a plastic or aluminum container).

Drying Time for Salt Dough Keepsakes

I found it best to allow the keepsake ornaments to dry overnight before drying in the oven.  But, that is optional. Put in a 250 F. degree oven for 2-3 hours. Turn off the oven and let the ornaments cool in the oven. If you decided to do make anything larger than 1/4″ flat ornaments, the drying time will be longer. The thicker the project, the longer the dry and cure time.

I also use my dehydrator to air-dry the salt dough since we are not “baking” to a brown but drying the dough instead. I use the highest setting which is lower than 200 degrees and may take more time to dry than an oven.

Optional Ways to Seal the Salt Dough Keepsakes

If you choose to paint, allow the ornaments to dry 24 hours after coming out of the oven. Use acrylic paint and seal with a sealer. Optional sealers:  Mod Podge, White Glue, or a clear sealer.

Warnings About Salt Dough

This recipe is high in salt, keep away from pets and children who may mistake it for food. Furthermore, salt is considered toxic to animals. It is best to wear gloves, due to the high heat of the water, if you have cuts, the salt will sting and to prevent dye or paint if you so choose to use them.

It is definitely not a good idea to add to the worm bin if you have a worm farm as we do. Dispose of in the trash and ensure children and fur babies are not accessible to the trash.

More DIY Crafts and Projects!

Do you need more ideas, crafts, and recipes for the children and family? Visit my blogging friend Dana, this POST has many ideas to do all year-round. Many links to other blogger friends with their creations too right in Dana’s blog post. Please check it out, like, and share. Thanks, DANA 🙂

Interested in more DIY crafts and projects, especially for the gifting seasons? Be sure you check out Gift Ideas Using DIY Mercury Glass and How to Make Your Own Beard Oil and Save! These are the PERFECT gift ideas to give. Don’t know how to make your own mercury glass? That’s fine, I can tell you the steps, alongside a visual video on my DIY Mercury Glass with Vinegar and Water post!

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