An easy craft for kids that uses a homemade oven-bake clay!
The long, dark winter nights here in Minnesota have me craving all things cozy. Twinkle lights, hot cocoa, thick knitted sweaters, flickering candles… All things hygge.
Hygge (derived from the Norwegian word for well-being) is embracing things that are warming and finding our well-being within them. It’s finding joy and contentment in the simple things. And candles are essential for creating that hygge atmosphere at home.
Here’s how you can make your own candle holders to bring hygge to your own home (using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry):
Supplies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup cold water
- Acrylic paint and brush (optional)
- Candles of your choice
Directions:
- Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
- Slowly add the cold water to the flour mixture, a few tablespoons at a time. Continue mixing and adding water until the dough is smooth.
- Use your hands to knead the dough for 10 minutes. Let the flour mixture rest for 20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
- Use your hands to roll your dough into balls. Size is up to you, but I recommend making them about the size of a tennis ball.
- Gently tap the clay balls on a hard surface to flatten the bottoms.
- Push a candle into the center of each clay form. The base of your candle should create a hole deep enough to hold the candle up in the clay, but not so deep that it goes through the bottom.
- Press designs into the candle holders (optional, but recommended).
- Remove candles from the clay and arrange holders onto a baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 2 hours, or until the clay is dry and hard.
- Upon removing the clay from the oven, it will still be a bit moldable. Set your candles into the holes to ensure that they fit.
- Once the clay has completely cooled, remove candles and decorate
with paint.
These candle holders will be making their way into some Valentine’s gift bags. If you are planning on sharing some of your creations with others, here is a free printable set of gift tags for your holders.
Wanting more wintery art goodness? Check out this packet of Winter-themed morning work art activities.
Interested in learning more about salt dough and downloading a free printable recipe card? Check out this blog post.
