August 7, 2026

Better Than Salt Dough {homemade Clay For Ornaments Or Handprints}

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If you love making homemade Christmas ornaments, baby handprints, pet paw prints, or little keepsakes with the kids, traditional salt dough is probably one of the first recipes you have tried.

There is just one problem.

Salt dough can sometimes be grainy, heavy, difficult to roll smoothly, and prone to puffing or cracking as it dries.

This simple homemade clay is a wonderful alternative.

Made with just a few inexpensive household ingredients, it creates a smooth, bright white clay that is easy to roll, cut, stamp, and decorate. Once dry, it becomes firm enough to turn into Christmas ornaments, gift tags, handprint keepsakes, paw-print decorations, and plenty of other simple craft projects.

Best of all, you don’t need any specialist clay-making equipment.

Why This Homemade Clay Is Better Than Traditional Salt Dough

Traditional salt dough certainly has its place, but this homemade clay produces a noticeably different finish.

Instead of the slightly rough and beige appearance of flour-based dough, this mixture dries much smoother and lighter in colour.

It is especially useful when you want to make:

Christmas tree ornaments
Baby handprint keepsakes
Children’s fingerprints
Pet paw-print ornaments
Personalized gift tags
Clay decorations
Hanging stars and hearts
Name plaques
Small decorative bowls
Wedding or baby shower keepsakes

The smooth surface is also excellent for painting once completely dry.

Homemade Clay Ingredients

You only need three basic ingredients:

You Will Need

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water

You will also need:

Medium saucepan
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Mixing bowl
Damp cloth or kitchen towel
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters
Drinking straw or skewer if making hanging ornaments
Baking paper or parchment paper

This recipe can easily be doubled if you are making a larger batch of ornaments.

How To Make Homemade Clay

Step 1: Combine The Ingredients

Add the baking soda, cornstarch, and water to a saucepan.
Stir everything together before turning on the heat.
At this stage the mixture will look very thin and milky. That is completely normal.

Step 2: Heat The Mixture

Place the saucepan over medium-low to medium heat.
Stir continuously.
As the mixture warms, it will slowly begin to thicken.
Keep stirring so that the clay doesn’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan or develop lumps.
Within several minutes, it should begin turning into a thick, soft mixture similar to mashed potatoes.

Step 3: Remove It From The Heat

Once the mixture pulls together into a soft dough and begins separating from the sides of the saucepan, remove it from the heat.
Do not continue cooking it until it becomes dry or crumbly.
You want the mixture to remain soft enough to knead once cooled.

Step 4: Let The Clay Cool

Transfer the clay into a clean bowl.
Cover it with a slightly damp cloth while it cools.
This is important because leaving the surface uncovered can cause it to begin drying and forming a crust.
Allow the mixture to cool until it is comfortable enough to handle.

Step 5: Knead Until Smooth

Place the clay onto a clean work surface and gently knead it.
After a minute or two, you should have a wonderfully soft and smooth ball of homemade clay.
If the clay feels slightly sticky, sprinkle a tiny amount of cornstarch onto your hands or work surface.
Avoid adding too much because excessive cornstarch can make the finished clay brittle.

How To Make Homemade Clay Ornaments

Once your clay is ready, making decorations is very similar to working with cookie dough.

Roll The Clay

Place the clay between two sheets of parchment paper or lightly dust your work surface with cornstarch.
Roll the clay approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Try to keep the thickness fairly even.
Clay that is extremely thin may crack easily, while very thick ornaments take considerably longer to dry.

Cut Your Shapes

Use cookie cutters to make stars, hearts, Christmas trees, circles, gingerbread people, snowflakes, or any other shape you like.
Carefully lift each shape and place it onto parchment paper.

Make The Hanging Hole

If you want to hang the ornament, use a drinking straw to make a hole near the top.
Make sure the hole isn’t too close to the edge.
Remember that ribbon, string, or twine will need to fit through it once the clay has dried.

Making Handprints And Footprints

This clay is particularly good for keepsake prints because its smooth surface captures small details.
Roll the clay slightly thicker than you would for a standard ornament.
Around 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick usually works well.
Place the clay on a firm, flat surface.
Gently press the child’s hand or foot into the clay.
Press evenly but avoid pushing all the way through.
Lift the hand or foot straight upward rather than sliding it sideways.
You can then cut around the print using a bowl, large cookie cutter, or knife.
For very young babies, it is usually easier for one adult to support the baby while another gently presses the clay against the hand or foot.

This clay is intended for crafting only and should not be eaten. Always supervise young children while using it.

How To Make Pet Paw Print Ornaments

Pet paw prints make lovely Christmas decorations and memorial keepsakes.
Roll the clay slightly thicker than a normal ornament and place it on the floor.
Gently place your pet’s paw onto the clay and press down evenly.
Don’t force the paw into the clay.
You only need enough pressure to leave a clear impression.
Wash your pet’s paw afterward to remove any clay residue.

Air Drying Homemade Clay

The easiest method is simply allowing your decorations to air dry.
Place the pieces on parchment paper in a dry area with good airflow.
Drying time will depend on thickness, humidity, and room temperature.
Small ornaments may take approximately 24 to 48 hours, while thicker handprints may require several days.
Turn the pieces occasionally so both sides dry evenly.
Do not try to rush the process by placing them directly on a radiator or very hot surface because sudden heating can encourage cracking.

Can You Bake Homemade Clay?

Yes, you can gently oven-dry the clay if you don’t want to wait several days.
Place the ornaments on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Use a very low oven temperature, around 200°F or approximately 90°C.
Dry them slowly, checking regularly.
Depending on thickness, they may require an hour or longer.
The goal is to dry the clay rather than bake it at a high temperature.
High heat can cause cracking, browning, bubbling, or warping.
For especially important handprints or keepsakes, slow air drying is often the safest choice.

Decorating Your Finished Clay

Once the clay is completely dry, you can leave it naturally white or decorate it.

Try using:

Acrylic craft paint
Paint pens
Permanent markers
Fine-tip pens
Glitter
Ribbon
Twine
Metallic paint
Small decorative gems

You can also stamp letters, dates, names, or patterns into the clay before drying.

For Christmas ornaments, try stamping the year onto the back.

It is a lovely way to create a collection that grows every Christmas.

How To Seal Homemade Clay

Sealing isn’t absolutely necessary for decorations kept indoors, but it can help protect the surface from moisture, dust, and fingerprints.

Once the clay is completely dry and any paint has dried, apply a thin coat of a suitable clear craft sealer.

You can use a brush-on craft varnish or clear acrylic craft sealer.

Allow one side to dry before coating the other.

Remember that these decorations are still homemade clay and should be stored somewhere dry.

How To Stop Homemade Clay From Cracking

A few simple tricks can greatly improve your finished ornaments.

Don’t Overcook The Clay

If the mixture becomes too dry in the saucepan, the clay may crack when rolled.

Remove it from the heat once it forms a soft dough.

Keep Unused Clay Covered

Clay exposed to air begins drying surprisingly quickly.

Keep any clay you aren’t currently using underneath a damp cloth or inside an airtight container.

Don’t Roll It Too Thin

Very thin ornaments are more fragile.

Approximately 1/4 inch is a good thickness for most decorations.

Dry Slowly

High heat is one of the biggest causes of cracking.

Slow drying usually produces the best results.

Flip Your Ornaments

Turning the ornaments while air drying helps both sides lose moisture more evenly.

What If The Clay Is Too Sticky?

If your clay is sticking heavily to your hands, it may still be warm.

Allow it to cool further before adding anything.

If it remains sticky once cooled, knead in a very small amount of cornstarch.

Add only a little at a time.

What If The Clay Is Too Dry?

If the clay crumbles while kneading, it may have been cooked slightly too long.

Try kneading it while your hands are slightly damp.

Only introduce a tiny amount of moisture.

Adding too much water can quickly turn the mixture sticky again.

How To Store Unused Homemade Clay

If you aren’t using the entire batch immediately, wrap the clay tightly and place it inside an airtight container or sealed food-storage bag.

Keeping air away from the clay is important because the surface begins drying once exposed.

For the best texture, however, this clay is usually easiest to work with when freshly made.

Homemade Clay Craft Ideas

Once you have made your first batch, you’ll probably start thinking of dozens of different projects.

Try making:

Family handprint Christmas ornaments
Baby’s first Christmas decorations
Pet paw-print keepsakes
Personalized gift tags
Christmas tree decorations
Easter decorations
Valentine’s Day hearts
Mother’s Day handprints
Father’s Day keepsakes
Name plaques
Clay bunting
Fridge magnets
Decorative plant markers
Small stamped decorations

You can even press leaves, lace, buttons, herbs, or textured fabric into the wet clay to create beautiful patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this clay the same as salt dough?

No. Traditional salt dough is normally made from flour, salt, and water. This version uses baking soda and cornstarch, creating a much smoother and whiter finished clay.

Does homemade clay shrink?

A small amount of shrinkage can occur as the moisture evaporates, especially with thicker projects. This is normal.

Why did my clay crack?

Cracking is usually caused by drying too quickly, rolling the clay too thin, overcooking the mixture, or allowing the clay to dry before shaping it.

Can I make the clay ahead of time?

You can store it for a short period in an airtight container, but freshly prepared clay generally gives the easiest and smoothest results.

Can children make this clay?

Children can help shape, roll, stamp, and decorate the clay under adult supervision. An adult should handle cooking the mixture because the saucepan and clay become hot.

Can you add food colouring?

You can experiment with colouring the clay, although painting the ornaments after drying normally produces stronger and more predictable colours.

How long will homemade clay ornaments last?

Properly dried and stored decorations can last for years. Keep them away from moisture and damp storage areas. Sealing them can provide additional protection.

Can these ornaments be used outside?

They are best treated as indoor decorations. Moisture and changing weather conditions can damage homemade clay.

A Simple Homemade Keepsake Worth Making

Sometimes the simplest homemade projects become the ones we keep the longest.

A little handprint made when your child was small, a pet’s paw print, or a Christmas ornament carrying someone’s name and the year can eventually become far more special than anything bought from a store.

This homemade clay is inexpensive, easy to make, beautifully smooth, and versatile enough for dozens of different projects.

Whether you’re making Christmas ornaments with the children or preserving a tiny handprint before those little hands grow bigger, this is one homemade craft recipe worth keeping.