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
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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, as 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 and it kept them busy all afternoon! These plastic clay tools are super inexpensive and would be fun to play with, as well.
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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
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt.
- 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 minutes, adding a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky or a bit more water if it’s too dry.
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 baking sheet in a 150-degree oven. Turn them frequently so that they dry out evenly. Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your crafts, so just keep a close eye on them.
*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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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!
Catherine
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
I am making relief maps with 14 6th graders. Our map is a little larger than an adult fist. Any idea on number of batches?
Tara Kuczykowski
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
Hi Catherine! The recipe makes about 2.5 cups of dough. I'm estimating you'd need approximately 1.5 cups per student, so I'd say about 9 batches would work with room for error. Hope that helps!
Elyssa
Monday 21st of December 2020
it was to sticky after i added more flour.
Tara Kuczykowski
Monday 21st of December 2020
Hi Elyssa! It sounds like you just need to continue to add more flour while kneading it until it reaches the proper consistency. It can vary depending on the moisture content of your flour and how arid or humid the climate you live in is.
Denise
Saturday 5th of December 2020
I can’t wait to use ur recipe for our gingerbread unit! Great for ornaments for our 3 yo kiddos!! Thank w!
Tara Kuczykowski
Saturday 5th of December 2020
Have fun making some great memories, Denise!
Toni Rickborn
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
Can you add food coloring to the mix?
Tara Kuczykowski
Tuesday 1st of December 2020
Hi Toni! Yes, you can definitely add food coloring to the mix -- either add it to the water (less messy) or work it in after.
Hannah D
Monday 9th of November 2020
How long does salt dough last after being baked? I am looking to turn it into cookie stamps for a Christmas gift, and I am wondering if it will be safe.
Tara Kuczykowski
Monday 9th of November 2020
Hi Hannah! As long as you prevent it from getting damp, it should last pretty much indefinitely. When I was little, we rolled it out and used cookie cutters to make Christmas ornaments. My parents put a coat of clear varnish on them, and we used them every year for many years!