Make Your Own Salt Dough
![A white bowl is filled with mauve dough. Two hands knead the dough making it squeeze outward toward the viewer.](https://hirshhorn.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_3601-scaled.jpeg)
Salt dough is easy to make with kids as young as 18 months. It requires only a few ingredients, all of which are edible, and no cooking.
Time: 5–10 minutes + playtime
MAKE IT!
This project is perfect for small hands. Let your child measure, mix, and explore the possibilities alongside you! Bonus: Mixing the dough is great for developing hand strength necessary for fine motor skills!
- Gather your materials: You’ll need a large container (we recommend a sturdy unbreakable container for any project with kids!), a mixing tool (like a spatula or spoon), 1½ cups of flour, ½ cup of salt, and ½ cup of water. If you’d like to add color to your salt dough, you’ll also need one of the following: food coloring, liquid watercolor, or mashed berries.
- Mix your dry ingredients. Mix the flour and salt together first.
- Add water slowly. If you’re also using an optional liquid color, use less water or your mixture will be too sticky. We used mashed up blackberries to add color to our salt-dough.
- Knead the dough! Get those small hands in there to knead, fold, and gently punch the dough until the mixture is smooth. Note: Some kids may love the sticky texture; others prefer to use a mixing tool and keep their hands clean. Adult help may be needed to finish the dough.
- Explore the possibilities. What can you make? Try some of the following:
- Break off pieces of the dough and smoosh them flat.
- Use your hands to shape the dough into balls or snakes.
- Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough.
- Explore textures! Try this Mini Art Lesson.
- Make a sculpture inspired by Barbara Hepworth.