11 Christmas Salt Dough Keepsake Ornament Ideas

Imagine how much fun your kids will have crafting one of these 11 Christmas Salt Dough Keepsake Ornament Ideas!

This season, gather the family for a merry-making session of salt dough ornament fun that’s sure to become a cherished tradition. Remember those heartwarming childhood memories of decorating the tree with handmade holiday ornaments? It’s time to create new ones!

Children love designing their own Christmas tree decorations, and these salt dough ideas guarantee a creative holiday craft session to remember. Best of all, aside from the baking magic, kids can handle every step, making each ornament a true labor of love that Mom and Dad will treasure forever.

But wait, there’s more! Get paws-itively creative with adorable pet paw print ornaments, or let imaginations run wild with any shape your family dreams up.

All you need is some all-purpose flour, salt, water, a splash of colorful paint, ribbons, and a rolling pin to bring your festive visions to life. Don’t forget to poke a hole for hanging before baking!

Ready for some festive fun? Check out these 11 Christmas Salt Dough Keepsake Ornament Ideas and start crafting memories that will shine on your tree for many Christmases to come!

What are salt dough ornaments?

Salt dough ornaments are homemade decorations made from a simple dough mixture of flour, salt, and water. They’re easy, inexpensive, and perfect for creative DIY projects, especially with kids. Once shaped, dried, and decorated, they become lasting keepsakes or holiday decorations.

Why are salt dough ornaments popular to make?

Salt dough ornaments are a holiday favorite because they’re simple to make, budget-friendly, and packed with sentimental value. Families love them as crafts, tree decorations, or meaningful gifts for loved ones. Plus, they’re a fun and creative way to spend time together during the holiday season!

1. Handprint and Photo Heart Salt Dough Ornament Keepsake

Imagine preserving your child’s tiny hand nestled in a beautifully crafted heart, paired with your favorite photo—it’s pure magic.

This sweet handprint and heart ornament turns special memories into a keepsake for your Christmas tree. As a parent, this ornament will likely become one of your most treasured creations, a lasting reminder of those little moments that pass too quickly.

But the magic doesn’t stop there! This sweet keepsake also makes a perfect gift for grandparents, allowing them to hold a piece of your child’s love and creativity every holiday season.

2. Salt Dough Handprint Santa Ornament

Ho, ho, ho—get ready for a holiday craft your kids will love! These salt dough handprint Santa ornaments are as fun to make as they are to display. Your child’s tiny hand becomes Santa’s face, making this craft both creative and personal.

Add the perfect finishing touches with a fluffy beard, a festive red hat, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. Not only will this be a sweet keepsake to treasure for years, but it’s also a chance to create special memories together.

Plus, these ornaments make thoughtful, handmade gifts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who cherishes your little one’s creativity!

3. Salt Dough Handprint Peace Ornament

Looking for a meaningful holiday craft? This sweet salt dough handprint peace ornament is perfect for kids to make and personalize! They’ll love painting it with their favorite designs or adding their own special word—peace, joy, love, or whatever feels just right.

Don’t forget to have them add their name and the year on the back for a keepsake you’ll treasure forever. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that turns into a lasting memory for your tree, year after year. Bonus: it also makes a heartfelt, handmade gift for family and friends!

4. Christmas Salt Dough Ornaments

Get ready for some holiday fun—salt dough ornaments are a creative hit with kids! They can make Santa, Rudolph, Olaf, or dream up their own festive designs. Let their imaginations run wild as they shape, paint, and decorate their creations. You might just be amazed by the adorable and unique ornaments they come up with!

Plus, it’s the perfect way to spend cozy family time together and add a personal touch to your holiday décor. Who knows? You might even start a new family tradition!

5. Salt Dough Paw Print Ornament

Who says your family pet can’t join in the holiday magic? Get your furry friend involved with this adorable paw print salt dough ornament! With just a paw press, some Mod Podge, and a dash (or a ton!) of glitter, you can create a keepsake ornament in any style or color you like.

It’s the perfect way to celebrate your pet’s place in the family—and your kids will love including them in the fun. Whether it’s a sparkly masterpiece or a classic design, this ornament adds a personal touch to your holiday décor.

Plus, your pet will enjoy being the star of this festive activity, making it a playful memory for everyone. Don’t forget to add the year for a keepsake you’ll cherish forever!

6. Salt Dough Mitten Ornament Keepsake

How adorable is this salt dough mitten ornament keepsake? Your little one’s tiny hands are the perfect shape for creating these charming mitten ornaments. Just add some paint and a little cotton for that cozy touch, and voilà—your ornament is ready to hang on the tree!

Want to make it even more special? Let your child pick their favorite color, paint their name, or even add a cute little drawing to personalize the mittens. It’s a fun, hands-on craft that makes for a heartfelt keepsake you’ll treasure forever.

7. Salt Dough Snowmen and Candy Cane Ornaments

Round up the kids and their friends for a snowman-making party—with salt dough ornaments, of course! These adorable DIY snowmen make thoughtful gifts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who loves a handmade gift. If you’re feeling particularly creative, try making some candy canes as well!

Use a cookie cutter for perfectly round snowman bodies, or let the kids freehand their shapes for extra charm—it’s all part of the fun!

Add some paint, glitter, or even tiny scarves to bring each snowman to life. This craft is all about creativity, laughter, and making memories that’ll warm your heart long after the holidays are over!

8. The Grinch Handprint Salt Dough Ornament

Who loves the Grinch?! If your kids can’t get enough of that mean, green Christmas classic, they’ll love making this Grinch handprint Christmas ornament! It’s a fun, hands-on craft that turns their little handprints into a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Just like the timeless story, this ornament will stand the test of time—perfect for decorating your tree year after year. Bonus: It’s a memory-maker that’ll have everyone smiling (even the Grinch himself)!

9. Salt Dough Reindeer Footprint Ornament Keepsake

This salt dough reindeer footprint ornament is almost too cute to handle! Your kids will have so much fun turning their little feet into Rudolph’s adorable face.

Their tiny footprints make the perfect canvas, and you can bring Rudolph to life with a red pom-pom nose, glittery gold pipe cleaner antlers, and, of course, googly eyes for extra personality!

It’s a festive holiday craft that’s equal parts fun and memorable—and it’ll be a keepsake you’ll treasure every holiday season. Get ready for some serious “aww” moments and a whole lot of holiday magic!

10. Salt Dough Fingerprint Holiday Lights Frame Ornament

Create a festive keepsake with this salt dough fingerprint lights frame ornament! Add your favorite holiday photo, and you’ll have a sweet ornament to cherish forever. Make it a yearly tradition to see how much your little one grows—each new frame tells a story!

Feeling creative? Change up the design every year to keep things fresh and fun. It’s the perfect way to capture holiday memories while making something special for your tree.

11. Cinnamon Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornament

Gingerbread men on the Christmas tree? Yes, please! Get the kids together to make these adorable gingerbread salt dough ornaments.

They’re a timeless holiday classic with a DIY twist! Use a gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutter and then bring them to life with a ribbon sharf and tiny black beads for the eyes and buttons.

Want to take it up a notch? Add some cinnamon or a few drops of your favorite essential oils to the salt dough for ornaments that look and smell amazing!

FAQs

What’s the best salt dough recipe?

Here’s a tried-and-true salt dough recipe for durable ornaments:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the warm water while mixing until it forms a dough.
2. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5–10 minutes until it’s smooth and pliable. If it’s too sticky, add more flour; if it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of water.
3. Roll the dough to your desired thickness (about 1/4 inch is ideal for ornaments).
4. Use cookie cutters to create shapes. Don’t forget to poke a hole at the top for hanging (a straw works well).
5. Place shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 200°F (93°C) for 3–4 hours, or until completely dry. Flip halfway through for even drying.
6. Once cool, paint with acrylic paints and seal with a clear coat like Mod Podge or acrylic sealer.

Tips:

• Air dry for 1–2 days before baking for smoother ornaments.
• Add cinnamon to the dough for a festive scent.
• Store unused dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to a day.

The number of ornaments this recipe makes depends on the size and thickness of the ornaments. If you roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and use medium-sized cookie cutters (around 3 inches), you can typically make 20–30 ornaments.

If your ornaments are smaller or thinner, you’ll get more, and if they’re larger or thicker, you’ll get fewer. To make a bigger batch, you can double or triple the recipe as needed!

2. Can you overbake salt dough ornaments?

Yes, you can overbake salt dough ornaments. Overbaking can cause the ornaments to brown, burn, or develop cracks. It can also make them more brittle, increasing the risk of breakage. To avoid overbaking, bake them at a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C) for several hours, checking periodically to make sure they’re drying evenly.

3. How long do salt dough ornaments last?

Salt dough ornaments can last for decades if made and stored properly. Bake them thoroughly at low temperatures to remove moisture, and seal them with a clear coat like polyurethane or Mod Podge to prevent humidity damage.

Store in a cool, dry place, wrapped in tissue or bubble wrap to avoid breakage. Handle with care, as they can become brittle over time.

Which of these 11 Christmas Salt Dough Keepsake Ornament Ideas is your favorite? Do you have your own creative salt dough ornament ideas? We’d love to hear about them—share them with us in the comments below!

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