Salt Dough Keepsakes

Little hands have a way of growing before we're ready. One Christmas they're small enough to fit inside a piece of rolled-out dough, and a few years later, you're holding that same ornament against a hand that's grown too big.

That's what makes these salt dough keepsakes so special. Children can press their hands into the soft dough, then turn their prints into Santa ornaments, colorful decorations, or little gifts for someone they love. And every Christmas, those handprints are waiting in the ornament box, just as small as the day they were made.

If your children love making handmade Christmas treasures, explore our ornament crafts for kids or browse our collection of Christmas activities and crafts for more holiday inspiration.

What You'll Need

This activity starts with a batch of homemade salt dough and a few simple supplies for shaping and decorating.

• Salt dough

• Rolling pin

• Baking sheet

• Wax paper or another suitable work-surface 

• Cutting tools

• Skewers or similar for making holes 

• Paint 

• Paintbrushes

• Ribbon or string for hanging

• Clear craft sealer (optional, adult use)

How to Make Salt Dough Keepsakes

Make the Handprints

Aim for dough about ¼ to ½ inch thick, adjusting as needed for the size of your child's hand.

Roll the prepared salt dough onto a protected work surface, leaving it thick enough to hold an impression without tearing when moved. Invite your child to place their hand in the center and press down firmly enough to leave a clear print.

When their hand lifts away, take a look at the impression. If part of the print is faint, you can smooth the dough and try again. There is no need to straighten every finger or make the print perfectly even.

Shape the Keepsakes

Once you're happy with the print, carefully trim around the outside of the hand using a blunt cutting tool. Leave enough dough around the edges to help the ornament hold its shape.

If you're planning to hang the keepsake, make a hole near the top while the dough is still soft. Keep the hole far enough from the edge to leave room for the ribbon without weakening the ornament.

Dry Kids Creations

Carefully transfer the keepsakes to a baking sheet or suitable drying surface. Follow the baking or air-drying instructions for the salt dough recipe you're using, since drying times depend on the dough and the thickness of the handprints.

An adult should handle any oven use and hot baking sheets. Allow the keepsakes to cool and dry completely before decorating.

Paint and Decorate

Once the handprints are dry, set out a few paints and let your children decide how to decorate them. The fingers can become Santa's beard, the palm can become his face, or the whole ornament can be covered in favorite colors.

You can also leave the handprint simple and add just a name and year. The impression itself is what makes the keepsake special.

Add the Finishing Touches

When the paint is completely dry, thread ribbon through the prepared hole. If desired, an adult can apply a suitable clear craft sealer, following the manufacturer's instructions and allowing it to dry fully.

The ornaments are ready to hang on the Christmas tree, tuck into a gift, or save for the years ahead.

If your children enjoy making ornaments from homemade dough, they might also love our No-Cook Cinnamon Ornaments.

Tips for Making Salt Dough Keepsakes

• Roll the dough evenly. Keep it thick enough to hold the handprint without tearing but avoid making it unnecessarily thick.

• Press the whole hand. Encourage children to press their palms and fingers into the dough for a clear impression.

• Leave room around the edges. Cutting too close to the handprint can make the ornament fragile.

• Make hanging holes before drying. Trying to pierce hardened dough may cause cracking.

• Let the keepsakes dry completely. Wait until they're fully dry and cool before painting or sealing.

• Add the year. A small date on the back makes it easier to remember when each keepsake was made.

Extend the Fun

There are plenty of ways to turn one batch of salt dough into a collection of Christmas keepsakes.

Make Santa handprints
Paint the fingers white to create Santa's beard, then add a red hat and a little face. Children can choose the colors and details, making each ornament their own.

Create a family collection
Make handprints for different family members and add names and dates to the backs. Hang them together on the Christmas tree to see how everyone's hands compare.

Make gifts for grandparents
A painted handprint with a child's name and the year makes a personal Christmas gift. Once it's completely dry, wrap it carefully for someone special.

Try fingerprint ornaments 
Use leftover dough to cut out hearts, stars, or Christmas trees. Children can press their fingertips into the soft shapes before drying, then paint the impressions to create colorful decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best salt dough recipe for handprint keepsakes?

A basic salt dough made from flour, salt, and water works well for handprint ornaments. Our salt dough recipe includes the ingredients and preparation instructions.

How do you get a clear handprint in salt dough?

Roll the dough to an even thickness and have your child press the entire hand into the surface. Make sure the palm and fingers leave an impression before lifting the hand away. If the print is faint, smooth the dough and try again.

Do salt dough keepsakes need to be baked?

Some salt dough recipes can be air-dried, while others use an oven. Follow the directions for the recipe you're using, allowing additional drying time for thicker keepsakes.

Can children paint salt dough ornaments?

Absolutely! Once the keepsakes are completely dry and cool, children can decorate them with age-appropriate craft paints. Allow the paint to dry fully before adding ribbon or storing the ornaments.

How do you store salt dough keepsakes?

Make sure the ornaments are thoroughly dry before wrapping them in tissue paper and placing them in a sturdy container. Store them somewhere cool and dry, away from moisture that could soften or damage the dough.

More Christmas Crafts to Make

If your children enjoyed making these handprint keepsakes, here are a few more homemade Christmas treasures to try together.

• No-Cook Cinnamon Ornaments
  Make fragrant Christmas ornaments using flour, salt, cinnamon, and water. Children can roll, cut, and paint their creations once they're dry.

• Gingerbread Clay
  Try another festive homemade dough for shaping gingerbread-inspired ornaments and decorations.

• Salt Dough Recipe
  Find the basic dough recipe for making handprint keepsakes, ornaments, and other handmade projects.

• Ornament Crafts for Kids
  Explore more homemade Christmas ornaments, from simple crafts to special keepsakes you'll enjoy bringing out each year.

A few years from now, you may find yourself holding one of these ornaments against a much bigger hand. That's when those little fingerprints and crooked edges become the details you love most.

For more holiday inspiration, browse our Christmas activities and crafts for kids.