This simple and easy salt dough recipe is the perfect rainy day activity… Kids will master valuable kitchen skills while learning how to make salt dough, and then spend hours playing with it!
Salt Dough Recipe for Kids
We encourage our kids to get outside and play as much as possible during the summer, but inevitably there’s going to be those rainy days when outside play isn’t an option — like today…
Rather than turning to video games and television for entertainment though, I gathered up my younger three children for a quick kitchen lesson on how to make salt dough. And it actually turned out to be loads of fun AND educational! #momwin
Learning How To Make Salt Dough
While my kids think making and playing with this salt dough recipe is all fun and games, they’re actually learning a whole slew of valuable skills — like brushing up on their math, how to measure solids and liquids, and what happens when you mix certain ingredients. Just to name a few!
And with only three ingredients — flour, salt, and water — this simple salt dough recipe is the perfect intro to kitchen basics. Luckily, I picked up some inexpensive fresh flour and salt at the grocery store earlier this week in anticipation of a rainy day!
I gave Camden the job of measuring out the flour, showing her how to level it off for a consistent measurement.
Addie measured the salt, again leveling it off using a butter knife.
And I helped Drew measure the water, showing them all how the liquid should be level with the lines on our Pyrex measuring cup.
Then they all took turns mixing the salt dough, and I gave a quick demonstration on how to knead dough. You know they were getting quite antsy to start playing by this point!
They had a blast playing with their salt dough. I gave them a kid-sized rolling pin and some cookie cutters to use. This kept them busy ALL afternoon! These plastic clay tools are super inexpensive and would be fun to play with, as well.

3-Ingredient Salt Dough Recipe
This 3-ingredient simple and easy salt dough recipe is the perfect rainy day activity… Kids will master valuable kitchen skills while learning how to make salt dough, and then spend hours playing with it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour*
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Gradually add water while stirring and mixing to form a dough with a Play-Doh like consistency.
- Form the dough into a ball and knead for approximately 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and firm. Additional water may be needed, depending upon humidity. Add a teaspoon of water at a time until the dough reaches the proper texture. On the other hand, if the dough is too sticky, add more flour by the teaspoon until it's no longer tacky.
- Store the salt dough in a Ziploc bag when it's not in use to prevent it from drying out.
Notes
I recommend covering your work/play area with an inexpensive plastic tablecloth to make cleanup easier!
How Long To Bake Salt Dough
If you want to bake your salt dough crafts, place them on a foil-covered baking sheet in a 250-degree oven. Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your crafts. For each 1/4" in thickness, allow approximately a half hour of baking time, or bake until surface turns light golden brown. Turn each piece frequently so that they dry out evenly. If an area puffs up, poke a hole in it with a pin or toothpick to release the air.
*Gluten-Free Salt Dough
If you or your child has a gluten sensitivity, substituting your favorite gluten-free flour one for one will work well in this recipe.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 2.5 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Important: while salt dough may look good enough to eat, it should not be consumed. Young children should be supervised while playing with salt dough playdoh.
No Bake Salt Dough Recipe
You can store salt dough in an airtight container for future use. Or you can let your creations dry and paint them with acrylic paints.
If you do want to speed up the drying process by baking them, just place your salt dough crafts on a baking sheet and pop them into a 200-degree oven. Baking time will vary based on the size and thickness of your crafts, so just keep a close eye on them.
I’d love to see how your salt dough crafts turn out… Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check them out. Enjoy!
Nicole
Friday 6th of January 2023
Do you know how many pounds this recipe weighs once it is made?
Tara Kuczykowski
Monday 9th of January 2023
Hi Nicole! This recipe will make around 1.75 lbs. of salt dough.
SH
Monday 21st of November 2022
Does it matter what type of flour (like can you use coconut, cassava, etc)?
Does it matter what kind of salt (iodized, table, epsom,etc)?
Tara Kuczykowski
Monday 21st of November 2022
I have only tested it with regular all-purpose flour and gluten-free flour, so I'm not sure how well other flours would work. I've always just used regular table salt when making it!
Annie Lee
Monday 24th of October 2022
How long will the dough last/stay moist if wrapped and stored airtight in the fridge?
Tara Kuczykowski
Monday 24th of October 2022
Hi Annie -- you can make salt dough ahead of time and refrigerate it in a tightly sealed Ziploc bag for up to 7 days.
Kate Griffith
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Thanks for this recipe. I want to make a fairly large 'faux plum pudding' so I will be putting this dough into a mold. What to you suggest to keep the mold shape and allow the dough to come out of the mold. Would you line the mold with plastic wrap or spray the mold with cooking spray or do nothing at all. I would also bake this to dry it, so I'm thinking a few hours in a low 150 - 200 oven might be appropriate. After that I would let it air dry for about a week before painting it, does that sound right? Also, are mice likely to want to nibble at this mixture...I don't think so, but I need to be sure. Thank you in advance for your help.
Tara Kuczykowski
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Hi Kate -- great questions! I would recommend the inner surface of the mold lightly with cooking oil before pressing the dough in. A large piece like this will take quite a while to dry thoroughly, so I think starting the process in the oven and then letting it finish with a long air dry sounds like a good plan. Mice shouldn't disturb this mixture, but you definitely will want to seal it after it's dry. Most paint (except water colors) is sufficient to seal it, if you're painting all sides. But if you really want to be sure it's sealed well, I'd recommend a coat of shellac, acrylic sealer, lacquer, or varnish on all sides.
Susan
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
What type of varnish?
Tara Kuczykowski
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
Oh goodness, this was so many years ago... Pretty sure my parents just used some leftover clear varnish from another project. I think an oil-based spray varnish, like this Varathane would work well. The one I linked is a satin finish, but it also comes in a gloss finish.