Christmas ornaments made from homemade playdough is the perfect activity to do with your little ones this festive season! If you’re looking for a delightful activity that combines playtime and decoration making, you’re in for a treat! Get ready for a mess-free, fun-filled adventure with your little elves!

Homemade Play Dough Recipe:

Before we jump into the ornament-making, let’s whip up a batch of homemade play dough. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also a great sensory activity for the kids.

Play Dough Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup salt

4 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups boiling water

Gel food colouring (red, green, and white for a festive touch)

Glitter (optional, but highly encouraged for that extra holiday sparkle)

 

Play Dough Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

Add the vegetable oil to the dry ingredients.

Pour the boiling water into the mixture, stirring continuously until a dough forms.

Once the dough has cooled slightly, divide it into equal parts for each colour you want to make.

Add a few drops of gel food colouring to each portion and knead until the colour is evenly distributed. Add more colour for a vibrant hue.

If you’re feeling extra festive, sprinkle in some glitter and knead it into the dough for that magical touch.

Now that you have your homemade play dough ready, let’s dive into the creative process of making Christmas ornaments!

 

Decking the Tree with DIY Play Dough Ornaments

Materials:

Homemade play dough (in festive colours)

Cookie cutters (holiday-themed shapes)

Drinking straws

Ribbon or string

Baking paper

Oven (for optional baking)

Instructions:

On a clean surface, roll out each colour of play dough using a rolling pin until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Pro tip: Place a sheet of baking paper underneath to prevent sticking.

Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes from the rolled-out play dough. Stars, trees, and snowflakes work wonderfully for a Christmas tree theme.

With a drinking straw, create a hole near the top of each ornament. This is where you’ll thread the ribbon or twine for hanging.

Let your little ones add their personal touch by imprinting designs on the ornaments using small stamps or their fingertips.

If you want to preserve the ornaments, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 93°C for about 1-2 hours or until they harden. Be sure to keep a close eye on them to avoid browning.

Once the ornaments are cooled, thread a ribbon or twine through the holes you created earlier. Now they’re ready to hang on the tree!

Tips for Play Dough Ornament Success:

Storage: Keep the play dough ornaments in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out between crafting sessions.

Supervision: While this activity is generally mess-free, it’s always a good idea to supervise young children, especially when using small objects like drinking straws.

So, there you have it – a recipe for homemade play dough and a creative way to turn it into festive Christmas ornaments. Enjoy the laughter, the joy, and the memories you’ll be creating as you deck the halls with your unique, handmade ornaments. 

Looking for more Christmas craft ideas to do with your littles ones? Take a look at some others here!