Dough Art for Beginners: 5 Easy Shapes You Can Make With Your Hands

Dough art is one of the easiest crafts you can try at home, and you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen. With a little flour, water and a few simple tools, you can make flowers, knots and tiny animals that look like they took hours..

It feels a lot like working with clay, but it is softer, cheaper and safe for little hands. Best of all, there is no special kiln or paint needed to get started..

What You Need to Get Started

• A basic dough of flour and water, rested for about 20 minutes
• A rolling pin
• A butter knife or a small craft knife
• A pair of chopsticks
• Natural color like turmeric, beet juice or spinach puree

1. The Chopstick Bow

Roll two short logs of dough and lay them side by side. Press a chopstick down across the middle of each one, then pinch the ends in. The dough puffs up on both sides and turns into a cute bow. Add a small round knot in the center to finish it.

2. Simple Rolled Flowers

Cut a long, thin strip of dough and roll it up loosely like a cinnamon roll. Pinch the bottom and gently pull the top layers open. In a few seconds, you have a rose.

3. The Sunflower

Flatten a round of yellow dough and press a grid of light lines into the middle with a knife. Snip the outer edge into points and pinch each one into a petal. A raisin or a date in the center makes it pop.

4. Braided Wreaths

Roll three thin ropes, braid them and bring the ends together into a ring. Green dough makes a lovely mini wreath for the holidays, and red dots of dough can be little berries.

5. Tiny Animals

Start with a ball for the body and a smaller ball for the head. Use the tip of a chopstick to press in eyes, and pinch out ears. Kids love making bunnies, piglets and chicks this way.

Tips for Better Dough Art

• Keep extra dough covered with a damp towel so it does not dry out.
• Dust your hands with a little flour if the dough gets sticky.
• Work on a smooth board or a sheet of parchment paper.
• If you want to keep your pieces as decor, use salt dough and bake them low and slow until hard, then seal them with a coat of Mod Podge.

Dough art is a great rainy day project, a fun party activity and a sweet way to make gifts by hand. Which shape would you try first? For more easy ideas, check out our latest DIY and craft projects.