Salt dough is by far my favourite quick and easy modelling medium to use with the kids. I always have the ingredients to hand and can mix up a batch really quickly. We love using our quick and easy recipe but it doesn't work well for models - yes they dry but instead of 3 minutes you are standing by the microwave for a while switching it on for 10 seconds and then off for 10 seconds over and over again. So instead I love using this classic salt dough recipe from my own childhood which my mum used to mix up and was given to her by my godmother who used to use it in her classroom back in the 1950's
This traditional salt dough recipe was originally written in oz but I have converted it to grams (you can find the oz version at the end) as that is what my scales use. It does air dry but will take between 24 hours and a week depending on what your child decides to make, the humidity and the air temperature. With larger models, we tend to air dry but I have used the oven dry method as well.
Ingredients for the Classic Salt Dough Recipe
500 g plain flour
500 g table salt
250 ml warm water
For the recipe in cups and oz see the card below the pictures instructions.
Try these Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments or Christmas Decorations made using this recipe.
How to make Salt dough
- Mix together the flour and the salt in large bowl
- Add the warm water slowly mixing together at the same time
- When combined turn out onto a lightly floured surface
- Knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic
- This dough can be stored for a couple of weeks in an air tight container or ziplock bag with the air expelled
- Once your ornament is made either leave to air dry or
- Place in the oven at 150C for around 1hr and check it may need longer
Is your Salt Dough Puffing up? Want to know how you can store salt dough or whether it will air dry we have all of these questions answered on our Salt Dough Questions Answered article.
Classic Salt Dough Recipe
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Baking Tray
- Rolling Pin
Materials
- 17 oz Plain Flour *All Purpose Flour
- 17 oz Table Salt
- 10 fl oz Warm Water Hand Warm
Instructions
- Mix the salt and flour together
- Gradually add the warm water as you mix it together by hand
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface
- Knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth
- Shape and mold as you wish
- Air dry OR bake in the oven for 1 hour+ at 300F (150C) until dry
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, high school teacher and mum. Realising that life doesn't have to be put on hold and you don't just have to survive whilst the kids are young she shares ideas to inspire you to LIVE with the kids, with activities to do together, recipes to cook and enjoy and family travel to make memories to last a lifetime.
Kasey says
Hi! How many dinosaur fossils can you get with one batch of the salt dough?
Cerys says
Hi, it really depends on the size of your dinosaurs that you use to make the fossil. With the small ones, we have in our collection, this batch made 6 "chunky" fossils. If you were careful and not making with toddlers you could use less salt dough per fossil and stretch out the mixture more.
Nisha says
I'm really curious why the ratios for the microwave salt dough and the classic salt dough are different. Here the flour and salt are in equal quantities, whereas the microwave one the salt and water are in equal quantities. I wonder what the science is behind it
Cerys H Parker says
I tried out the classic dough in the microwave but for some reason, it ended up soft never really dried almost pastry like on the bottom (as the fabulous Mary Berry would say it has a Soggy Bottom!) It also bubbled more readily so not great for ornaments. However, the microwave dough recipe does also work in the oven and has no problems.
Baileys beautiful princesses says
Absolutly love this recipe even when i was a little girl, years on and I have tought my little girls it tweeking a little by adding colouring and small amount of oil they play with it for days like play doh thank you.