Learn how to create scented salt dough for kids. This is the perfect hands-on holiday activity for your family!
The holidays are a wonderful time to dive into creative, sensory activities with your kids. Of course we love making salt dough ornaments, but we’ve recently added a fun twist on the old classic. Instead of just a basic salt dough, we’ve created our own custom scents!
Scented salt dough is the perfect blend of creativity and sensory play. It allows kids to unleash their artistic side while encouraging all kinds of fun experimentation as they mix up their own unique scents using spices, citrus zest, and extracts.
This activity is guaranteed to spark holiday cheer and leave your home smelling absolutely delightful!
How to Make Scented Salt Dough for Kids
MATERIALS
For the salt dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup warm water
For the scents:
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or ginger (whole or ground)
- Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, lime)
- Optional: vanilla extract, peppermint extract, or essential oils
- Mortar and pestle (highly recommended for extra fun and helpful for grinding whole spices)
- Citrus zester
- Cookie cutters
- Rolling pins
- Baking sheets and parchment paper
- Ribbon or twine for hanging ornaments
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix up the dough
Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until the mixture forms a pliable dough.
If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour; if it’s too dry, add a touch more water.
Read more about making salt dough here.
- Divide and scent
Here’s where the fun begins! Divide the dough into smaller portions, enough to have several small balls for each child. Then let kids experiment by adding different spices or zests to their portions of dough.
Knead the scent mixtures into the dough, discovering how the smells blend and intensify.
Scenting the dough may engage your kids for quite a long time as they add a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that.
You can extend play even further by asking kids to name their different scents. They might make a “spicy gingerbread” with cinnamon and cloves or a “fresh citrus” with lemon zest and vanilla. This could then lead to imaginative play where they set up a holiday bakery to sell or trade their unique doughs!
Note: Avoid using too much liquid when adding scents. Dry ingredients like spices work best for keeping the dough manageable. - Roll, cut out, and shape
Once the dough is scented to perfection, roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, or gingerbread people. Don’t forget to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament for hanging later.
- Bake and decorate
Place your ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 200°F (93°C) for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through to ensure even drying.
Once they’re hard and cool, you can leave them as-is for a natural look or decorate them with paint, glitter, or other embellishments.
Seal finished ornaments with a clear varnish like Mod Podge to help preserve them for years to come. - String and display!
Thread a piece of ribbon or twine through the hole, and your ornaments are ready to hang! They’re perfect for the tree, gift tags, or even as a holiday garland.
Mixing up a batch of scented salt dough is a fantastic way to combine creativity with a touch of seasonal magic. Whether you’re crafting for the holidays or just enjoying a cozy day indoors, we think your family is going to fall in love with this fun activity!
Here’s a printable recipe to save and use!
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Scented Salt Dough for Kids
Description
Learn how to create scented salt dough, the perfect hands-on holiday activity for kids!
Ingredients
- For the salt dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup warm water
- For the scents:
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or ginger (whole or ground)
- Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, lime)
- Optional: vanilla extract, peppermint extract, or essential oils
Instructions
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the warm water, stirring until the mixture forms a pliable dough. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour; if it’s too dry, add a touch more water.
- Divide the dough into smaller portions, enough to have several small balls for each child. Then let kids experiment by adding different spices or zests to their portions of dough. Knead the scent mixtures into the dough, discovering how the smells blend and intensify.
- Once the dough is scented to perfection, roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, or gingerbread people. Don’t forget to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament for hanging later.
- Place your ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 200°F (93°C) for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through to ensure even drying.
- Once they’re hard and cool, you can leave them as-is for a natural look or decorate them with paint, glitter, or other embellishments. Thread a piece of ribbon or twine through the hole, and your ornaments are ready to hang!
More Salt Dough Ornaments for Kids
- How to Make Salt Dough
- 10 Salt Dough Decoration Ideas for Christmas
- How to Make a Salt Dough Star Garland
- Lacy Salt Dough Ornaments for Christmas
- How to Make Painted Salt Dough Ornaments
- How to Make Stamped Salt Dough Ornaments
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