Are you looking for Valentine Crafts for Kids? This project takes a bit of time since there are a few steps involved, but the results are treasures that will last a lifetime.
Salt Dough Recipe
We used this same recipe from our salt dough Christmas ornaments
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup salt
- up to 1 cup water
Mix the water and flour together. Slowly add the water and mix until the dough comes together. If you add too much water the dough will be too sticky to work with. If that happens, simply add equal amounts of flour and salt to get a workable consistency.
- Flour your work surface
- Roll out the dough to 1/4″ thick
- Cut shapes with your favorite cookie cutter/s
- Place the dough on a baking sheet and cook at 200 degrees F for 2-3 hours. We didn’t have a lot of time, so we baked ours at 350 F for about 40 minutes, which is why some of them turned out puffy and brown. They’re still fine, however, and I’d recommend this route if you’re also short on time. Just keep an eye on the dough and make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Cool the pieces. They’re ready to paint!
Painting Supplies
- Acrylic paint. This is a relatively inexpensive set that’s great for this project.
- Paintbrushes. I haven’t tried this set, but it looks great!
- Paper plate or other paint palette
- Water bowl
- Rag to absorb water from brushes
- Table covering
- Painting clothes (acrylic paints will stain clothes)
- Paint markers, optional. We like Elmers Paint Pens and Sharpie Water-based Paint Pens
Paint the salt dough with acrylic paint. Have a covered area nearby where these pieces can dry. Acrylic paint dries quickly!
When these were dry, we added a layer with paint markers to some of the pieces. My 3-year old loved this step.
Magnet Supplies
- Glue: Craft Arte by Goop
- Magnets. We used these rare earth magnets
This step is for grown-ups:
Once the paint is dry, turn the salt dough pieces over. Add a small dollop of glue. Goop makes a good product made by Goop called Craft Arte. It’s smelly and best used outside or in a well-ventilated space.
Add the magnet to the glue and allow the glue to dry.
Be careful with these magnets. They are powerful and not for use by children.
Valentine Crafts for Kids: Gifts for Family and Friends
When the glue is dry, your magnets are ready to gift to family and friends or to save favorite mementos to your fridge.
We made these for Valentine’s Day, but with a different shaped cookie cutter, you could make these magnet gifts for Christmas, Mother’s Day, or a Birthday.
great recipe, but i think you meant to say mix the flour and salt together in the first set of directions. i mixed the salt and water and it didn’t work out so well. i salvaged it with a total of 1 c water, 1.5ish c flour and 1.5 c salt.
Great catch, Cate! I’m so sorry about that mistake, and I’m glad that you were able to figure it out. I just fixed it, so we should be good. By the way, I was wearing a salt dough beaded necklace my daughter and I made about four years ago, and it’s holding up really well!
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