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The Perfect Gift for Father’s Day
A salt dough handprint is a beautiful gift for any parent or even grandparent. Make his Father’s Day special with this simple and sentimental gift.
I recommend using their handprint, but you could do a footprint if you think that is easier. This gift is uniquely from your child. Their little hand or foot will never be that small again. This will be a keepsake to hang on to forever.
We made ours into a Christmas ornament by attaching a ribbon once it was complete.
This project isn’t overly complicated and doesn’t require many supplies. Don’t worry momma! You can totally do this!
What You Will Need
4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Salt
1.5 Cups Warm Water
Clear Finish Glaze or Mod Podge
Optional Supplies:
Cookie Cutters
Straw to Make Hole
Ribbon
Rolling Pin
Salt Dough Directions
Combine the Flour, Salt, and Warm Water in a mixing bowl. Once it takes shape remove it and knead for about 10 minutes. Add tiny amounts of water if you feel it is too dry.
Roll the dough out flat to the thickness you desire. If you think it will stick, flour your surface lightly.
Don’t go too thin or your hand or footprint could push through. Don’t go too thick or it will be bulky and take longer to dry. Ideally, you land somewhere between ¼ to ½ inches in thickness.
For creating a hand or footprint I recommend doing multiple attempts throughout the dough. Leave space between them to cut out later. Give yourself options and you can gift the best one later.
It is pretty simple, just firmly push the hand or foot into the rolled out dough!
This is the point I recommend you take a break if you are working with a baby. You can finish up later when they are napping.
The next step is to cut out the shape. You could create something unique like a heart or go for the classic and simple circle. Turn a bowl upside down to make a perfect circle. Cut the dough away while the circle is pressed down.
Get the bowl off and clean up the edges as needed. Use the straw or something similar you have on hand to create the hole for the ribbon. I used a hard plastic one from a reusable cup. This was stronger than a disposable straw.
Repeat this with all of the prints you made.
Find a place to set your prints to dry for a day or two. Try to find a place where your child, any pets, and husband won’t find them. I hid them under the guest bed!
Now it is time to bake your salt dough. Just to clarify you do not have the ribbon in at this point!
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your prints on a cookie sheet. You can use oven safe wax or parchment paper to protect your cookie sheet if desired. I don’t think it is necessary though if properly dried out.
Bake for 1-2 hours. Thinner will take less time and thicker will take more time.
What we are trying to avoid is any puffing. This will typically occur when the prints are still too wet or they are too thick.
If you are nervous about the baking process you could do only one or two prints at a time. Different batches will get you different results. If you bake them all together you could burn them all at once.
That is completely up to you and your level of risk!
Once completely cooled you can decorate with acrylic paint and even add glitter.
After all decorating is completed you should spray the clear glaze or mod podge to seal them all together.
After that has had time to dry you can add a ribbon if desired.
Quick Tips
I included most of my tips along the way, but here are a few more.
If you are concerned about the thickness you could make half the batch thinner and half the batch thicker.
Baking longer at a low temperature is better. Do not try to rush it by cranking up the heat.
Oh, don’t forget to include any writing on the back. You could try to trace it in before baking or try using paint or sharpie after baking. I would suggest name, date, age, and Happy Father’s Day.
Incorporating Your Baby or Toddler
I did this project with my baby when they were less than a year old. You could do it at any point and any age though!
If they are a tiny baby I recommend having the mixture made and rolled out while your baby is either happily entertained or maybe napping.
Bring them in to do the hand or/and footprints. Then get them washed up and happily playing once again. If they are happy you could then work on finishing up cutting it out and creating the ribbon hole. If you need to though, you can wait until your baby is down for a nap to complete these steps.
This project isn’t particularly time-sensitive. You can let it sit for a bit and come back to it when ready.
Make it work for you!
If you have a toddler you may choose to incorporate them throughout the entire process. It is totally up to you.
Conclusion
I hope this project was fun for both you and your little one. This Father’s Day is going to be so special with your beautiful gift!
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