Play Doh Ornaments

In my desperate search for a kids' Christmas craft that does not involve the use of foam stickers, I came across a recipe for "Family Face Ornaments" in a magazine from a doctor's office waiting room.

Instead of making dinner yesterday afternoon, I decided to make ornaments. After mixing the ingredients, however, I realized that I had been tricked into making something at home that I could buy for twice as much at the store. What the magazine called "salt dough" was really play-doh. Despite feeling deeply betrayed, I decided against throwing the mixture into the garbage can. Instead, I helped my kids shape the dough into golf ball-sized likenesses of family members and friends. People who we like got big heads and all of their facial features; people who we like less got small heads without noses.

Toward the end of the activity, Camber held up a mound of dough that she called "mommy." I was happy to see that "mommy" had nostrils. When I asked her why the ornament looked like it also sported an impressive set of dredlocks, she didn't answer. A brief peek in the bathroom mirror answered the question.


I can't remember the name of the magazine where I got this recipe (Parents? Family Fun?) but if I can do it, then you know it's pretty much foolproof. The recipe makes a small city worth of people, so beware.

3 c flour
1 c salt
1-1 1/2 c water

Beat ingredients together on medium and knead dough until it is smooth. Roll the dough into golf ball-size balls and then flatten them with hand. Make noses, ears, etc. out of small pieces of dough. Poke a hole through the top of the ornament (for the string). Bake at 275 degrees for 2 hours on a foil-lined cookie sheet.

After people are cooled, paint with acrylic paint. Seal with Mod Podge.

This was my first time using Mod Podge. I liked it immensely. There are so many things one potentially could do with liquid glue, especially the kind with glitter added to it. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about all of them.