Weekend Wonder: Salt Dough

Here’s a recipe for creativity.

Start with straightforward yet quality materials. Find inspiration in reality. Create something.

That’s the antidote to a pre-packaged kit or a crate.

Salt dough can be made with ingredients that are affordable, accessible, and easily replaced.

You can make this at your in-laws’ house or on Christmas Eve, in an Airbnb or on a cold and rainy afternoon.

Your child can actually make salt dough by themselves, with a little initial help. They can store it in a Tupperware - you don’t need to do this for them! - and use it when they are inspired, over and over again. We suggest you have a flexible chopping mat to use as a work mat protect a table space.

Salt dough can be used freely as a material that supports development. Through this activity, your child will:

• Develop their hands to shape and knead, their palms and fingers to roll, their fingertips to pinch and coil

• Become immersed in concentration, away from a screen or app or attempts to play with you

• Discover creating as a tool of self-expression that allows them to bring their experiences and ideas to life

They can make ornaments and snowmen, vessels and animals.

They can paint their designs once they have dried, adding another layer of creativity.

If your child is a little older, maybe 4 or 5, they can even create a scene with salt dough characters or objects on a cardboard base.

Do yourself a favor this winter. Make some salt dough!

Salt Dough Recipe

1 cup flour

1/2 cup table salt

up to 1/2 cup warm water

Stir together flour and salt.

Slowly add water until a play-dough like consistency is achieved.

To dry, set in a warm place for about 24 hours or bake at your lowest oven setting for 1 - 3 hours, depending on the thickness of the dough.

To paint, use watercolor or acrylic..

To add a coating, add mod podge.

Lastly, remember that we develop skills and discover new possibilities through repetition.

When you run out of salt dough, make more to have available - like crayons or child scissors or chalk - for regular exploration.

Enjoy!