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Salt Dough Keepsakes
A handful of kitchen ingredients and a memory that lasts forever
6/21/20262 min read
Salt dough has been a staple of childhood craft for generations - and it earns its place every single time. Three ingredients from your pantry, a little mixing and rolling, and you have the most beautiful material for capturing a tiny handprint or footprint in three dimensions.
Unlike paint on paper, salt dough keepsakes have weight and texture and permanence. They sit on shelves and mantelpieces and are picked up and held and marvelled at for years. This is one of those crafts where the making is joyful and the result is genuinely treasured.
Why This Activity Works for Little Ones
Salt dough is wonderful for sensory exploration - the texture, the smell, the malleability. Toddlers can help with the mixing and kneading, which is excellent for hand strength.
The pressing and imprinting process is satisfying and immediate - toddlers can see their mark in the dough right away, which is deeply gratifying at this age. And painting the finished piece once dry gives a lovely second creative session.
Activity Details
Age Range: Newborn (for prints) – 3 years (for making)
Time: 30 minutes to make, 3 hours to dry in oven
Mess Level: Moderate - flour everywhere is likely!
Supervision: Active supervision for the oven stage
What You'll Need
1 cup plain flour
½ cup salt
½ cup warm water
A rolling pin
Cookie cutters (optional)
A straw or skewer to make a hanging hole
Acrylic paint and varnish for finishing once dry
How To Do It
Mix flour and salt together in a bowl - toddlers can help stir!
Add warm water gradually and mix until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms.
Knead for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
Roll out to about 1cm thickness.
Press baby's hand or foot firmly into the dough to make a clear impression.
Cut around the impression or use a cookie cutter for a shaped keepsake.
Use a straw to make a hole for hanging if desired.
Bake at 120°C (250°F) for 3 hours until completely hard and dry.
Once cool, paint with acrylic paint and seal with varnish.
Write name and date on the back before varnishing.
Kim's Tips 💕
Press firmly and evenly to get a clear impression - lean your weight over the hand rather than just pressing with your fingers.
For newborns, do the imprint while baby is calm and sleepy - curled fists are the main challenge!
A heart or star cookie cutter around the handprint looks beautiful.
Gold or white paint on a natural dough base is utterly gorgeous and very giftable.
Make one every year at the same time - a birthday or Christmas tradition of annual salt dough prints is one of the most beautiful things to look back on.
What You'll Need
Acrylic paint sets, craft varnish, rolling pins and beautiful ribbon for hanging finished keepsakes are all on my Amazon storefront.
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This post is part of my Babies & Toddler Activities Hub- packed with ideas for 0-3 year olds.
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With love, Kim xx