Homemade Saltdough

Salt dough makes a great permanent modelling material.  It can be coloured with food colouring or, when dry, it can be easily painted.  To make salt dough models more long lasting we recommend that acrylic varnish is applied to the finished model.

2 cups plain flour

1 cup salt

approx 3/4 cup of luke warm water

Mix the flour and the salt.  Slowly add the water until a firm, quite dry ball of dough is formed (a food processor is useful for this but not essential).  It is best to leave the dough at room temperature for a few hours before using and the dough will become softer.

Before using knead well to smooth the dough and then shape as required.  To harden the dough can be baked in a low oven (<150 degrees Celsius) for a few hours - exact time depends upon the thickeness of the model.  Alternatively leave in a warm place (an airing cupboard is ideal) for a few days.

Saltdough model idea for young children & toddlers

HEDGEHOGS:  A great autumn craft.  Colour the dough brown and take a golf ball size piece.  Shape a snout then use cloves for nose and eyes.  Break up some spaghetti into short pieces and use to make the hedgehog spines.  Here's one my little girl made earlier :-)

We stock a range of modelling tools in our eBay shop

More craft and party ideas coming soon.

Louise at Moonstone Craft Supplies