Salt Dough Nature Print Pendants

Bring a little bit of nature indoors with these simple salt dough keepsakes! Kids will love pressing real flowers and leaves into the dough to create beautiful textured prints. Once the pieces have dried, they can paint their one-of-a-kind creations, turning everyday treasures from a nature walk into colorful works of art they’ll be proud to display or wear as necklaces.

Be sure to read my favorite children’s books about flowers by clicking here to make this project a perfect summer lesson plan with the children in your care.

Check out more flower lesson plans and activities from my blog by using the search engine above or by clicking the following links: pressed flower clay ornaments, coasters, and magnets; pressed dried flower sun catchers, “Planting a Rainbow” lesson plan; dried flowerValentine’s; pressed flower cards; tissue paper flowers; flowers made from paper plates; flowers made from cupcake liners; making flowers with Perler beads,; and flowers made from coffee filters.

You Will Need:

Fresh Leaves and Flowers with Deep Veins
Mixing Bowl
Wooden Spoon
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Table Salt
Up to 1 Cup Warm Water
Kids Rolling Pin
Round Cookie Cutters
Chop Stick, Pencil, or Straw
Spatula
Baking Sheets
Parchment Paper
Acrylic Paint and Paint Brushes
Clear Acrylic Modge Podge
String

What to Do:

1. Mix flour, salt, and HALF the water to start and mix.

2. Gradually add the remaining water and keep mixing and stirring until you have a smooth dough. If too dry, just add more water. If too wet, just add more flour.

3. Roll the dough into thick balls and allow the children place a flower or leaf on the dough and start to roll it flat. As they roll over the flower or leaf it will leave a nice indention.

4. Use a round cookie cutter to cut the dough print into an even round shape.

5. Use a chopstick, pencil, or straw makes a whole at the top of the circle.

6. Carefully peel off the flower or leaf.

7. Remove the cookie cutter. Use a spatula to put the salt dough print onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

8. Bake the salt dough prints at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 hours to dry completely.

9. Once dried and cooled allow the kids to paint their flower and leaf prints.

10. Once the paint is dry, paint clear acrylic modge podge all over the salt dough prints to keep them from dissolving or disintegrating.

11. Once dry, thread string through the hole of the pendant.

Photos by Stephanie Felzenberg

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