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Finding the perfect gift for your preschooler to give to loved ones this holiday season can be tough. Thankfully, we have a trusty holiday classic to pull out that is inexpensive, unique and totally personalized. Here are three handy steps to help you and your preschooler create salt dough ornaments!
Prep Work
Create the dough by mixing 1 cup of salt with 1 cup of plain flour. Gradually add 1 cup of water, including any food coloring to change the hue of the dough. Stop adding water when the mixture has become dough-like and not too sticky. You don’t want to have any residue on your fingers or the bowl. Knead the dough on a floured surface, then use a roller to flatten it out. Have your child choose a cookie cutter shape for the ornament (such as a star, Christmas tree or heart) and cut your dough into an ornament. Use a straw to punch a hole through the top center of the ornament (where the ribbon will go later). Add a personalized touch by having your child put their hand, finger or footprint in the dough. It’s also fun to write a little message or add an additional design using a toothpick as a stylus.
Into the Oven
Once you have the ornament(s) prepared, lay them on a greaseproof baking tray with baking paper and cook on very low heat (+/- 200 degrees F) for up to 3 hours. The aim isn’t to cook the ornaments, but to dry them out thoroughly. Be sure to watch out for any bubbling in the dough, as this indicates that the oven is too hot. If the ornaments are too thick, you may need to flip them over during cooking.
Finishing Touches
Once they have been removed from the oven and cooled, encourage your preschooler to customize the ornaments further with paint or glue-on materials such as plastic jewels or glitter. Sequins, buttons and pom poms are also excellent materials for decorating the ornament.
When all the paint and glue has dried, thread a ribbon through the hole at the top of your ornament and place it on the tree.
Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Highland Glen located in Pearland, Texas? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.