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!
"It worked perfectly!"
I sized down the recipe but it still worked perfectly! I'm making ornaments for my family with this and I'm waiting for them to bake now. Thank you so much!
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
Did you enjoy this salt dough activity? Then I think you'll also love making this oobleck recipe!
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 couple kid-sized rolling pins 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.
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.
READER TIP
Montessori Independent Work Recipe
I am a Montessori teacher and have adapted the recipe to make it an independent work for each child from start to finish. I thought I would share the ratios, if anyone is interested.
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup salt
- ¼ cup water
Thank you for sharing, Samantha!
Printable Recipe ↓
3-Ingredient Salt Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour
- 1 cup Morton plain salt
- 1 cup warm water
Instructions
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add a little water at a time, mixing as you pour, to form a ball of dough. Using a dough whisk will make mixing easier for young children.
- Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes, until the dough has a smooth, firm Play-Doh like consistency. Additional water may be needed, depending upon humidity.
- Store the salt dough for future use in a Ziploc bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
How To Air Dry Salt Dough
For best results, place pieces on a screen to allow both sides to dry out equally. Alternatively, you can turn them regularly while drying.Allow pieces to sit out at room temperature for least 48 hours, until they are rock hard and have a white, limestone-like appearance.How To Bake Salt Dough
Heat the oven to 250℉. Arrange the pieces on a oil-covered baking sheet.Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your crafts. For each ¼" in thickness, allow approximately a half hour of baking time. Bake the salt dough craft until the surface turns light golden brown.Turn each piece frequently while baking to help them dry out evenly. If an area puffs up, poke a hole in it with a pin or toothpick to release the air. Allow the pieces to cool thoroughly before handling.Recipe Notes
Tips & Suggestions
• Salt dough too dry? » Work in an additional teaspoon of water at a time, until it reaches the proper texture. • Salt dough too sticky? » Add more flour by the teaspoon and knead until it's no longer tacky. • For a gluten sensitivity » Make gluten-free salt dough by substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour. • Easy cleanup » Cover the play area with an inexpensive reusable vinyl tablecloth and/or work on a foil-covered cookie sheet. • To join two pieces of raw dough » Use a small brush to moisten both surfaces with water and press together. • If using a mold » Wipe inner surfaces with a light coat of cooking oil before pressing in the dough.Featured Products
More Fun Activities For Kids
If you enjoyed making this salt dough recipe, you'll love these other fun activities for kids:
- Easy 2-Ingredient Oobleck
- 4-Ingredient Glitter Slime
- DIY Easy Bake Oven Mixes
Did you make this recipe?
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 it out. Enjoy!
J says
Hi - thanks for the great recipe! used it for programming at my library :) when does the salt dough "expire" if ever, if anyone knows?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Awesome, thanks for sharing! The dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Jenny Smith says
I tried this recipe and me and my kids loved it, we ate the whole bowl!
Kennedy hambel says
you ate the salt dough?
auria rojas says
my kids loved it
Willow says
Absolutely loved this as a kid! Did it with my nanny kids. Super easy and they had a blast for an hour. Although they did pour the whole jar of salt haha!
Tara Kuczykowski says
LOL, kids will be kids! So happy you all had so much fun with it... I used this same recipe when I was the arts & crafts counselor at a summer day camp and I'm pretty sure it was the campers favorite activity. :)
Amelia says
Absolutely love it. A great idea you should try is salt dough BABIES. It's great for responsibility!
Have a number 1 day!
Luv ya!
Th th says
I’ve tried a few different ways of making this and I like this recipe the best. Use warm water
Luna Moon says
I sized down the recipe but it still worked perfectly! I'm making ornaments for my family with this and I'm waiting for them to back now! Thank you so much!
Wyatt says
not that easy to clean of
Rose says
My daughter used this recipe for a project it went very well.
Rebecca says
So funny to happen upon your recipe and see that we have two of our three kids with the same names, Addie and Camden (mine is a boy Camden though). Thanks for the recipe and the laugh.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Aww, love it!!
Nicole says
Do you know how many pounds this recipe weighs once it is made?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Nicole! This recipe will make around 1.75 lbs. of salt dough.
SH says
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 says
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 says
How long will the dough last/stay moist if wrapped and stored airtight in the fridge?
Tara Kuczykowski says
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 says
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 says
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.