Festive ornaments

For ages 0 – 8 Years

Children are small for such a short time. Capture a memory by making a Christmas salt dough ornament of their hand or finger print. A great gift idea for grandparents as well! Your child will learn how to follow a recipe and explore their creativity.

What do I need?

  • 2 cups of flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • ¾ cup water
  • Bowl
  • Cup
  • Mixing spoon.

How do I do it?

  1. Mix flour and salt together in a bowl. Slowly add water, mixing until you have a dough.
  2. Roll the dough out on a flat surface. Use a bowl or cup (depending on the size you want) to cut out a shape.
  3. Then make an imprint of your child’s whole hand or their fingerprint. Make a small hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
  4. Bake in 180 degree Celcius oven for about 2 to 3 hours until the dough no longer feels squishy. Place on a rack to cool.
  5. When cold, paint the handprint to make it stand out. Write your child’s name and the year on the back. Use some string or ribbon to hang.

No-one knows your child better than you. So, choose and/or adapt ideas here to best suit you and your child. Remember it’s the talking and time spent together that matters most.

More activities to try

6 months – 8 years

Water xylophone

18 months – 8 years

Teddy bear bus trip

2 – 8 years

Spray bottle art