These DIY handprint and paw print ornaments are a perfect keepsake or gift to remember your little ones and pets! I created these to remember our son’s handprint at 1 and made multiple so we could give them to grandparents too!
The recipe is so easy and you only need a few items!
RECIPE & SUPPLIES NEEDED
Salt Dough Recipe (makes about 3 ornaments)
- 1 cup Flour
- 1/2 cup Salt
- 1/2 cup Water
Other Supplies Needed
- Bowl to use for cutting out your ornament
- Letter stamps (if you want to add a name) – I used 1/4” letters
- Sandpaper to smooth the sides once baked
- Spray paint (if you want your ornaments a certain color) – my favorite is brand is Rustoleum 2X Ultra
- Paint (if you have letters to fill in) – I used Plaid brand Liquid Leaf for a gold leaf effect
- Ribbon or string to hang your ornament
- Hot glue gun (if adding a bow)
STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL
CREATE AND BAKE YOUR ORNAMENTS
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees.
Once the dough is made, roll out to no more than a 1/4” thick. Make the handprints (or paw prints) first and then cut out the shape. I used a bowl to make my circles. My dough was very firm, so make sure to really press those little hands in to get a full handprint!
Add a hole for the ribbon and press in your letters or symbols with stamps.
Bake at 225 for 3 hours. Once baked, let them sit overnight to make sure they are fully dried out.
PREP & PAINT ORNAMENTS
Once ornaments have dried overnight, use sandpaper to smooth out edges or cracks (see below for a before and after). You can then spray paint! I recommend a paint/primer mix. My favorite brand is Rustoleum 2x Ultra.
DECORATE AND ENJOY!
Once paint is dry, you can decorate as you’d like! I used my favorite Plaid brand Liquid Gold to paint in the letters and hearts to create a gold leaf effect. The stamps I used were 1/4” wide which did make it hard to paint (but not impossible)! If you have similar size, I recommend using a toothpick rather than a paint brush to fill in the letters.
I then added thin velvet ribbon for hanging. For a big bow look, add a thicker ribbon, make a bow and hot glue it at the knot of the thin ribbon.
You now have the perfect keepsake for yourself or to give as a gift!
