Make Your Own Oven Bake Clay

salt dough craft for kids

Using Ingredients You Probably Already Have In Your Kitchen!

I love doing clay activities at home with kids. Play dough and clay projects are a great way to prepare little ones for the big task of writing by developing the little muscles in their hands. They also are an amazing way to grow cognitive flexibility and symbolic thinking skills.

Problem is, store-bought clay that can be baked to a permanent finish (in your own oven, no less) can be both expensive and hard to find.

That’s why I am so excited to share this oven-bake clay recipe with you!

It uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and is baked in a common household oven (no kiln needed here, friends).

Supplies:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup cold water

Directions:

  1. Combine flour and salt in a bowl.
  2. 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.
  3. Use your hands to knead the dough for 10 minutes.
  4. Let the flour mixture rest for 20 minutes.
  5. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
  6. Use your dough to create whatever you would like.
  7. Arrange creations onto a baking sheet.
  8. Bake in the oven for 2 hours, or until your clay is dry and hard.
  9. Once the clay has completely cooled, decorate with paint.

(Download the free recipe card for oven-bake clay here)

Mom and toddler in kitchen making craft together by Abbie Ulstad
Salt Dough Craft Flat Lay for Kids by Abbie Ulstad

You have the dough made. Now what? This clay would be perfect for making pinch pots, creating toy cookies for the play kitchen, or crafting sweet little ornaments.

Interested in another DIY art supply? Check out my directions for homemade coffee paint here.

Pin Now, Make Later Salt Dough Image by Abbie Ulstad

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