Christmas always makes me want to slow down and create something special with the kids.
One of our favorites? Salt dough ornaments. They’re simple and fun, and stand the test of time! (Every Christmas my parents bring out the ornaments my bother and I made when we were kids….)
Whether you’re crafting with toddlers, preschoolers, or bigger kids, there’s something magical about creating a festive ornament as a memento of the season that you can enjoy year after year.
From adorable handprint ornaments to cute Christmas characters – this post will share some of the endless possibilities that’ll make your tree extra special.
So grab some flour, the kids and your Christmas tipple of choice, it’s time to get creative!
Classic & Timeless Designs
These tried-and-true salt dough Christmas ornaments never go out of style. From snowflakes to candy canes, these are simple to make and instantly bring a festive touch to your tree.
Salt Dough Christmas Tree Ornaments
Decorated with glitter and sequins, these classic ornaments are as fun to make as they are to hang. A simple salt dough Christmas ornament craft that my kids loved making from start to finish!
Follow our simple instructions here
Sea Glass Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
These are gorgeous if you love coastal or beach-inspired holiday decor. The mix of sea glass and salt dough gives your Christmas salt dough ornaments a breezy twist.
Jump over to Red Ted Art for details
Salt Dough Tree Ornaments
More salt dough Christmas tree ornaments, these ones adorned with colorful buttons for a bright and cheerful twist.
Visit The Crafty Christian Mom for more
Glittered Salt Dough Ornaments
These are so simple and kids will love going all in with the glitter. There’s no such thing as “too sparkly” especially at Christmas!
Jump over to Mommy Christmas for more
Snowflake Ornament
Every snowflake will be completely unique, which makes each one extra special. Super twinkly salt dough ornaments that will help kids hone their fine motor skills.
Snowflake ornament from craftyhomeschool
Candy Cane Ornaments
Festive, simple, and so cute! Kids will love making these candy cane ornaments from red & white salt dough for a cheerful Christmas tree decoration.
Jump over to Simple Fun for Kids for details
Fill your season with fun—try these Christmas crafts:
- 55 Easy & Fun Christmas Craft Activities For Toddlers
- 50 Fun, Easy Christmas Crafts for Preschoolers
- 33 Cute, Easy DIY Toddler Christmas Cards
- Homemade snowman Christmas card
- Super easy paint chip Christmas tree card
- 50 Easy Christmas Tree Crafts For Little Kids
Playful Holiday Characters
Bring Santa, the Snowman, Rudolph to life with these character-inspired Christmas salt dough ornaments that kids will love making (and probably playing with too).
Little Salt Dough Snowman
This one’s simple but a real cutie. Kids can get creative shaping the snowman, then drawing on a face, scarf, and any other details they like.
Little salt dough snowman from theprimarybrain
Santa Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments
Turn those tiny hands into the happiest little Santas ever! This salt dough Christmas ornament is a fun Santa craft for kids that’s festive and full of holiday cheer—guaranteed to make you smile every time you see it on the tree.
Visit Messy Little Monster for instructions
Salt Dough Handprint Christmas Ornaments
Some simple handprint salt dough ornaments with a fun twist. Try an elf, penguin or Rudolf design. The kids can pick their favorite and have fun creating their own Christmassy character.
Head over to Simple Everyday Mom for details
Fingerprint Snowman Ornament
Turn fingerprints pressed into a round salt dough disc into a cute snowman snow globe ornament. With no two fingerprints alike, each snowman will be one of a kind.
Fingerprint snowman ornament from crafty_morning
Footprint Reindeer Salt Dough Keepsake
Turn your little one’s footprint into a reindeer with antlers made from pine leaves & a bright red nose. This adorable salt dough Christmas ornament may be too big to hang on the tree, but would look gorgeous on the mantelpiece.
Footprint reindeer salt dough keepsake from easypeasyandfun
Sneaky Grinch Salt Dough Ornament
Got a kid who loves the Grinch? This is a fun way to mix a little mischief into your collection of DIY Christmas salt dough ornaments.
Grinch ornament from midwesternmamakc
Rudolph Salt Dough Decorations
A super cute ornament is cleverly made using a gingerbread man cookie cutter. And sure to be more fun to make while singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” complete!
Easy Salt Dough Gingerbread Man
They look like cookies, but these sweet gingerbread men will last a lot longer and there will be no sugar rush either! A fun Christmas activity for younger kids who love getting creative with their holiday crafts.
Jump over to DIY Family Time for details
Sentimental Keepsake Ornaments
Capture those tiny hands, feet, and even paws with these heartfelt salt dough Christmas ornaments for kids. These sweet keepsakes are perfect for remembering just how little they once were.
Handprint Heart Salt Dough
This one gets me every time—it’s just so sweet. A tiny handprint pressed into salt dough that’s shaped into a heart. It’s perfect for gifting to grandma or preserving a little piece of childhood.
Handprint heart salt dough from The Best Ideas for Kids
Salt Dough Picture Frame
This is such a sweet way to display a favorite holiday photo. Kids can decorate the frame however they like, making it a one-of-a-kind salt dough Christmas ornament.
Salt dough picture frame from bright_little_brains
Thumbprint Christmas Tree
This one’s extra special—each tiny thumbprint becomes part of the design, making these salt dough Christmas ornaments personal and unique.
Head over to Messy Little Monster for details
Sweet Footprint Mistletoe
Okay, this is ridiculously cute. Shaped like a mistletoe, this ornament will have everyone saying “awww” and maybe even wanting a Christmas kiss when they see it hanging in the tree!
Footprint mistletoe from letsplaylearngrow
Nativity Handprint Keepsake Ornament
This one may be the one you pick if you’re looking for something faith-based. You can talk about the nativity story while making a sweet Christmas salt dough ornament with your child.
Nativity handprint keepsake ornament from imaginationtree
More nativity crafts for kids to make here.
Paw Print Ornaments
Don’t forget the pets! If you’ve got a furry family member, this is such a sweet way to include them in your holiday memories.
Paw ornaments from thesorrygirls
More festive ways to keep little ones entertained this Christmas:
- 47 Cute Easy Holiday Activities for Toddlers
- 39 Easy Preschool Holiday Activities
- 50 Christmas Sensory Activities & Bins
- 25 easy FAKE SNOW sensory bins & sensory play
Creative Holiday Ornament Ideas
Give your salt dough ornaments a fun twist with these creative ideas—add charm and a little holiday magic to make your decor feel extra festive and one-of-a-kind.
White Salt Dough & Gold Foil Ornaments
If you love clean and crisp Christmas decor, these modern salt dough ornaments are a beautiful choice. The tutorial walks you through how to whiten the salt dough which gives these ornaments an elegant, store-bought feel, while gold foil adds flair and sophistication!
Head over to Lovely Indeed for details
Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
If you’ve never made these before, you’re in for a treat—they smell like Christmas in the best way. Such a great idea if you want something festive and cozy to hang on the tree.
Head over to Two Pink Peonies for details
Stained Glass Salt Dough Ornaments
These turn out so pretty with the melted candy in the middle, and look lost of fun to make with older kids. Hang them where the twinkle lights can shine through, and they’ll look absolutely magical.
Jump over to Rainy Day Mum for more
Festive Christmas Houses Ornaments
Making these salt dough Christmas houses will be such a fun project for the kids— they could create a whole snowy village to display on the mantel or hang them all on the tree.
Christmas houses salt dough ornaments from missbipps
Salt Dough Nature-Inspired Ornaments (using pine leaves)
If you’re going for a rustic or nature-inspired ornament craft, this one’s perfect. Just press in a sprig of pine and paint over for a back to nature look.
Salt dough nature-inspired ornaments from growing.kind
Salt Dough Mitten Ornaments
These salt dough mitten ornaments are too adorable for words. Kids can make their own unique masterpiece, painting in their color of choice and then decorating. Perfect for a classroom project or a snowy afternoon craft at home.
Salt dough mitten ornaments from kindergartensmiles
Wrapping Up Your Salt Dough Fun
Salt dough Christmas ornaments aren’t just crafts—they’re little snapshots of joy, laughter, and creativity. Whatever you decide to make, each one holds a memory worth smiling about.
So gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let the holiday magic take shape. You’ll end up with beautiful decorations and even more beautiful moments spent together.
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Add extra sparkle to your holidays with more ornament ideas:
