After the morning of cole all children have their time to play at home and it is quite possible that there will come a time when they do not know what to play. Many have so many toys that most people don't use them and if they do, they get tired quickly; they have missed the most manuals and that is why we bring you this article.
Today we are going to teach you how to make a salt dough homemade, with which they can make many crafts. It is ideal for young children as it is very easy to prepare, it is non-toxic and can to model They are effortless to manipulate with your hands and are perfect for making all kinds of objects.
Why choose salt dough for children's crafts?
Salt dough is a domestic alternative to plasticine y mudIt is made with common ingredients, hardens when dry and allows you to create everything from flat ornaments to figures with volume. Being economic and easy to clean, it is perfect for family activities and for introducing modeling tools or molds of cookies.
Ingredients and materials
The ingredients that we are going to need to make this dough are the following:
- To make the of salt (three parts of flour, One shawl and another water)
- An bag plastic
- Panel of wood
- Un container to make the mixture
- Un measurer for the ingredients
- A pair of Spoons
- Dye food or tempera to give it color
Extra material (recommended):
- Baking paper to stretch and bake without sticking.
- Roller to flatten the dough like pizza.
- Molds of cookies or plasticine to give quick shapes.
- Acrylic paintings or tempera paints for decorating; acrylic paints are more durable.
- airtight bag to rest and preserve the dough.
Step by step: mixing, kneading and resting
Firstly we will mix the ingredients in the bowl, three parts flour, one part salt and one part water. We will mix well with the help of a spoon, gradually adding the cold water to mixture of flour and salt. When the dough stops sticking to the sides of the bowl, it's ready. We'll put flour on the wooden board to knead the dough in the same way that we knead the artisan bread. We will knead it for about ten minutes so that it is perfect, elastic and soft to the touch. Once it is ready we will place the dough inside the plastic bag for at least an hour so that rests and then be able to use it. Let's not forget that once we have completed the craft we will put it in the oven for approximately two hours at 100-120ºC to be able to paint it later.
A useful trick is to add water slowly To prevent the dough from becoming sticky, if this happens, add a pinch of flour. To improve the consistency, you can store the dough in a airtight bag and put it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before modeling.
To shape, place the dough between two sheets of baking paper and roll it out with a rolling pin. Use molds cookie cutters or clay tools for cutting clean, even shapes.
How to make colored salt dough and decorate it
If you want colored dough, add to the water a few drops of food coloring before mixing. This way you'll achieve uniform colors from the start. You can also prepare the dough blank and paint the pieces once dry; acrylic paintings adhere better and offer greater resistance, although the temperas work well for simple projects.
Drying and Baking: Times and Safety Tips
You can air dry Leave the figures for 1 to 2 days in a ventilated and dry place, turning them halfway through to avoid bending.
If you prefer the oven, place them on baking paper and bake to 100-120ºC. The time depends on the thickness: very thin pieces can be hardened in a few minutes at 120ºC, while the thicker ones require up to two hours at low temperature, as a classic reference. Monitor periodically to ensure that it does not burn nor cracks appear.
Leaves cool completely before painting. Seal with a thin coat of water-based varnish if you are looking for greater durability.
Creative ideas and maintenance
Try to do trimmings plans with initials, fingerprints handyman, refrigerator magnets, pendants, or gift tags. For textures, press Lace, leaves or stamps on the surface.
Store leftover dough in a airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. If it is a little dry when you take it out, add a few drops of water and knead until it recovers elasticity.
With basic ingredients and a few simple steps, the salt dough It opens the door to hours of family creativity: it is safe, versatile, and allows you to customize colors, shapes, and finishes with very attractive results.
