Easy Valentine’s Day Salt Dough Hearts – A Child-Friendly Craft

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a heartfelt (and heart-shaped!) DIY project with your little ones. If you’re looking for a simple, fun, and mess-friendly craft, these salt dough hearts are just what you need. These are the perfect child-friendly valentines craft. The best part? You probably already have everything at home!

Makes: One Ball

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: Up to 3 hours

What You’ll Need to make this child-friendly valentines craft:

• A scrap piece of paper

• 250g plain flour

• 125g table salt

• 125ml water

• Scissors

• Knife

• Pen or pencil

• Straw (or something similar to make a hole)

  
  

How to Make Salt Dough Hearts:

Step 1: Create Your Heart Template Take a scrap piece of paper and draw a heart outline. Cut it out – this will be your guide for shaping the dough.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough Preheat your oven to 120°C (250°F). In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and water until a stiff dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s soft and well combined. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit of water.

Step 3: Shape Your Hearts Roll out the dough to your desired thickness (around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch is ideal). Place your paper heart on top and carefully cut around it using a knife.

If you’d like to hang your ornaments, use a straw or skewer to poke a hole near the top of each heart.

Step 4: Add a Personal Touch For an extra sentimental touch, press your child’s handprint or fingerprint into the dough before baking. This makes a lovely keepsake gift for family and friends!

Step 5: Bake & Cool Place your hearts on a baking tray and bake for 90 minutes to 3 hours (or until completely firm). Baking time will depend on the thickness of your hearts, so check in on them reguarly and ensure that they’re rock-hard before removing them from the oven. Let them cool completely before decorating.

Step 6: Decorate & Display Once cooled, it’s time to get creative! Paint your hearts with Valentine’s colors, add glitter, or write sweet messages on them. Tie a ribbon through the hole, and your handmade Valentine’s Day decorations are ready to display or gift.

This salt dough craft is a wonderful way to get kids involved in the holiday while making special memories. If you try this project, let me know how it goes—I’d love to see your beautiful creations!

Happy Crafting & Happy Valentine’s Day!