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!