https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/toddler-ornament-and-gift-box • Posted by Kimberly
Creating a salt dough ornament is a fun project you can do with your little one. Let them help you decorate a box and you have a fun personal gift from your child!
Creating a salt dough ornament is a fun project you can do with your little one. Let them help you decorate a box and you have a fun personal gift from your child!
Make the salt dough following the recipe below. Once the dough is made, roll it out or flatten it with your hands. Use a tree cookie cutter to cut out a tree. Poke a hole in the top using a straw. Let your toddler decorate the trees with beads. I poured beads on a plate and let him pick them up and push them into the dough. Make sure you are supervising your toddler the entire time and do not leave him alone with the beads since they could be a choking hazard. This is a great one-on-one project when you can give your full attention to your little one! Recipe: 1 cup flour, 1 cup salt and 1/2 cup water. Mix dry ingredients together, then slowly add water and mix.
Bake the ornaments at 200 degrees for 3 hours. I kept checking them to make sure the beads didn't melt - but they didn't! Once they are finished baking, you can glue any loose beads down. Paint the ornaments with green paint! You can let your toddler help you with this or do it yourself. Don't forget to write your child's name and year on the back of the ornament!
String ribbon through the hole at the top of the tree and tie it in a knot.
Create a gift box using any small white gift box. Open the box up so they lay flat and let your toddler decorate them with red and green finger paint. They can use a paintbrush or put their handprints and feet prints on the boxes!
Reassemble the boxes. Fill with red or green bag filler and the ornament.
Create a fun tag to attach to the outside of the box. I used a small heart cookie cutter. You can have your toddler create a painted heart using their fingerprints. Write the recipient's name on the tag and punch a hole in the top. Tie it to the outside of the box!
Your gift is all ready! You can make the ornaments in any shape you want and decorate the outside of the box in whatever way expresses your toddler the best! Crayons, stickers, paint, marker, collage...the possibilites are endless!