Salt dough is one of the easiest DIY materials you can make at home. It uses only pantry staples, mixes together in under 5 minutes, and can be shaped into almost anything—handprints, ornaments, tiny sculptures, gift tags, and more. Whether you’re doing a school project, crafting with friends, or just trying something creative, this recipe is reliable and fun.
Ingredients
You only need three ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup salt
½ cup warm water (add a little more if needed)
That’s it!
Instructions
1. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, mix:
1 cup flour
½ cup salt
Stir until fully combined.
2. Add Water
Slowly pour in the warm water while stirring.
If the dough seems too sticky, add a little more flour.
If it seems too dry, add a tiny bit more water.
3. Knead the Dough
Use your hands to knead the dough for about 1–2 minutes until it becomes smooth and stretchy—like soft playdough.
4. Shape Your Creations
Roll it out or shape it however you want:
Handprints
Stars or hearts
Name plaques
Animals
Holiday ornaments
Use cookie cutters or sculpt by hand.
5. Dry or Bake
You can air dry your salt dough (takes 24–48 hours depending on thickness)
or
you can bake it at 200°F (95°C) for 1–2 hours, checking it every 30 minutes.
Thinner pieces dry faster. Thicker items may need more time.
Optional Add-Ins
Make your salt dough even cooler by adding:
A few drops of food coloring
Acrylic paint after it dries
Glitter in the dough
A coat of varnish for extra shine
Tips for Best Results
Add parchment paper for easy cleanup.
If dough cracks after baking, it was too dry—add more water next time.
Store leftover dough in a sealed bag for up to 3 days.
Make a tiny hole with a straw before baking if you want to hang it later.