Salt Dough Hand/Footprints Great for Grandparents Day!

Salt dough is so easy and fun!  I have made these with the children I care for to give their parents.

To make two hand or foot prints you will need:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• food coloring
• straw
• ribbon
• toothpick or sharpie
• gloves

Using gloves, mix the first four ingredients and divide in half.  If you want two different colors divide it before you add the coloring.  Pat it into about a 1/2″ thick circle (let the kids help, they love this part).  Take a straw and make 2 holes about 1″ apart for the ribbon.  I made one hole this time to see how it would work and it worked just fine.  Use a toothpick and “engrave” their name and date or wait until it is cooked and cooled and write on it with a sharpie.  Push the child’s hand or foot in 3/4th of the way down (be careful to not push it all the way through).

Cook at 200 degrees on the lower rack for 3 hours flipping after 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  It will not be super hard, if you wish to make them harder simply cook longer.  I have let them cook up to 8 hours and I kinda like it better when it cooks longer. I find it will get good and hard and seems more sturdy.

(Tip: If it seems sticky when pushing their hand or feet into the dough spray them with Pam.)