Make your own clay
Make your own homemade salt clay using flour, salt, and water. Knead, shape figures, air-dry or bake, then paint decorations.
About this activity
Make your own homemade salt clay using flour, salt, and water. Knead, shape figures, air-dry or bake, then paint decorations.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and dry them so your dough stays clean and fun to use.
- 2
Step 2
Measure 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of salt into the mixing bowl.
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Step 3
Stir the flour and salt together until they look evenly mixed.
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Step 4
Slowly add about 3/4 cup of warm water a little at a time while stirring until the mixture forms a rough dough.
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Step 5
Knead the dough on a clean surface for 5 minutes until it is smooth and not sticky.
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Step 6
Shape your dough into figures or ornaments using your hands to pinch and smooth the shapes.
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Step 7
Use a straw or toothpick to add small details or to make a hole for hanging if you want an ornament.
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Step 8
Decide whether you will air-dry your pieces or ask an adult to bake them in the oven.
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Step 9
For air-drying place your creations on a parchment-lined tray and let them dry for 24 to 48 hours until hard.
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Step 10
If baking ask an adult to bake your pieces at 250°F (120°C) on a parchment-lined tray for about 1–2 hours, checking every 15–20 minutes until hard.
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Step 11
Let baked creations cool completely before touching them so they do not break.
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Step 12
Paint and decorate your dry clay figures using paints or other colouring materials to make them bright and unique.
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Step 13
Let the paint dry completely so your decorations do not smear.
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Step 14
Share a photo of your finished clay creation on DIY.org so everyone can see your awesome work!
Fun facts
How do I make homemade salt clay with my child?
To make salt clay, mix about 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup fine salt in a bowl, then add about 1/2 cup water slowly until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–10 minutes until smooth, shape into figures, and either air-dry for 24–48 hours or bake at a low temperature (about 200°F / 95°C) until hard. Let cool, then paint with acrylics and seal if desired. Supervise each step with children.
What materials do I need to make salt clay?
You’ll need all-purpose flour, table salt, and water as the basic ingredients. Also gather a mixing bowl, wooden spoon, clean work surface, cookie cutters or sculpting tools, rolling pin, and a baking sheet if you plan to bake. For finishing, have acrylic paints, brushes, and an optional clear sealer. Keep paper towels, a damp cloth, and oven mitts handy for cleanup and safety.
What ages is making salt clay suitable for?
Salt clay is suitable for preschoolers through older kids with supervision. Toddlers (2–3) enjoy sensory play but need close supervision to avoid putting dough in their mouths. Preschoolers (3–5) can shape simple figures with help. School-age children (6+) can sculpt more detailed pieces and handle baking with adult assistance. Adjust tools and supervision to match each child’s fine motor skills and safety awareness.
Is making salt clay safe and what precautions should I take?
Salt clay is generally safe, but take precautions: do not let children eat the dough—high salt content isn’t safe to consume. Watch for flour allergies (wheat). If baking, supervise oven use and handle hot pieces with oven mitts. Use non-toxic paints and work in a ventilated area when sealing. Keep small finished pieces away from babies and wash hands after play to remove salt residue.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have parchment paper or can't find table salt?
If you don't have parchment paper, place shapes on a lightly greased baking tray, and if table salt is unavailable use 1 cup fine sea salt or substitute 1 cup cornstarch for the salt knowing the finished air-dried or baked pieces will be a bit softer.
What should we do if the dough stays sticky after kneading or pieces crack while drying or baking?
If the dough is sticky after the 5-minute knead, add small tablespoons of flour while kneading until smooth, and if pieces crack during air-drying or baking at 250°F (120°C), lightly mist and smooth cracks before continuing to dry or lower the oven time and check every 15–20 minutes to avoid burning.
How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?
For toddlers, skip the oven step and let them pinch simple shapes and use a straw with close supervision, while older kids can carve finer details with toothpicks, create ornaments with hanging holes, and have an adult bake at 250°F (120°C) for a firmer result.
How can we extend or personalize our clay creations after they are dry?
Knead a few drops of food coloring into the dough before shaping for colored clay, embed beads or glitter before drying or baking, make hanging holes with a straw, then paint and seal painted pieces with clear varnish after they are completely dry.