- Salt Dough Footprint -

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     Hey everyone! I came across this Salt Dough project last week and made it for my Sister-in-law, her Birthday was on Monday. I thought maybe some of you might like to do this as well! I think its perfect to send to a Sailor who’s deployed and has children back home they are missing. Just make sure to use bubble rap when shipping ;)

     Its BEYOND simple, hardest part was just getting a good print. My niece is 8 months old and wanted to be a wiggle worm that day, took about 10 attempts before I got the perfect print! Here’s how to do it:

        Salt dough recipe:

1. 1 cup salt
2. 1 cup plain flour
3. Half a cup of water

     Mix together into a large bowl and knead it until smooth and stretchy. This last part is important otherwise the dough remains sticky and quite granular from the salt. If it is still too sticky add a bit more flour, if too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water. Once dough is at the right consistency, form into the shape you’d like and then make your print (hand or foot)! If it gets messed up, the great thing is that you can reform it and try again! You can get creative and use a toothpick to carve in a Name or date, like I did.

     Place in the oven for 3 hours at 200 degrees F. It needs to be placed on baking parchment or greaseproof paper so that they don’t stick. It needs to be on a very low heat for a length of time to thoroughly dry out and harden. If the oven is too hot it will rise and “cook”. The thinner the dough and the lower the temperature, the better this will turn out! If its still doughy in the center after 3 hours then turn it over and put it back in for another 2 hours.

     Let it cool over night and then have fun painting! I thought about letting my 8 month old Niece finger paint it herself…then I re-thought it and it didn’t seem like a good idea anymore, lol. But, definitely a good idea for toddlers to do their own painting! Adds that personal touch. I painted mine using pearlised acrylic paint from JoAnn’s ($3) and also bought a mini display stand ($2). Let it dry over night and then tadaaaa!!! A cute, personal, and inexpensive gift :)