Baking Soda Ball Ornaments: 7 Easy Textured & Dough DIYs

Tired of expensive, generic holiday decorations? You want to create stunning, handmade ornaments but feel intimidated by complex crafts or messy recipes. It’s frustrating when a simple DIY project turns into a crafting fail, leaving you with cracked, crumbly results instead of beautiful baking soda ball ornaments.

Baking soda ball ornaments are versatile DIY decorations created using either a moldable dough made from baking soda, cornstarch, and water, or by mixing baking soda directly into paint to achieve unique textures on existing ornament bases. These popular projects are known for their ease, affordability, and ability to produce durable, high-end holiday decor.

Drawing from tested recipes and proven methods, this guide unlocks the secrets to both styles. You will discover how to craft everything from smooth, ceramic-like shapes to velvety, on-trend textured baubles. Get ready to transform simple pantry staples into your most cherished Christmas tree decor this season.

Master Baking Soda Ball Ornaments: 7 Easy Textured & Dough DIYs

Baking soda is a surprisingly versatile and powerful ingredient in the world of DIY crafts, extending far beyond the kitchen. When it comes to creating stunning holiday decor, it serves two primary functions. First, when combined with cornstarch and water, it thickens into a brilliant white, non-edible dough that can be rolled, cut, and air-dried into durable, sturdy ornaments. This smooth clay has a beautiful ceramic-like look. The second method involves using baking soda as a textural additive; when you mix baking soda with acrylic paint, it creates texture that transforms plain clear plastic ornaments into high-end decor pieces with finishes ranging from a soft, velvety appearance to a rustic, sandy texture. This guide explores seven easy DIYs that showcase both of these incredible techniques.

1. Craft Classic Baking Soda Dough Ornaments with Cookie Cutters

Pin this classic baking soda dough ornament idea to your holiday crafts board!

Supplies Needed

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (essential for binding and creating starchy bonds)
• 3/4 cup cold water
• Non-stick saucepan (a durable finish one is best)
• Rolling pin (preferably non-stick silicone)
• Assorted metal cookie cutters (Christmas-themed shapes)
• Parchment paper (to prevent sticking)
• Baking sheet or flat surface
• Drinking straw or skewer (for making holes)
• Twine or ribbon (for hanging)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Combine the baking soda, cornstarch, and cold water in your non-stick saucepan. Stir constantly until smooth, ensuring no clumps remain.
2. Heat over medium heat saucepan, continuing to stir constantly. The mixture will gradually thicken into a mashed potato-like consistency, then into a smooth clay.
3. Remove from heat once it pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cool the dough completely on a plate covered with a damp cloth to prevent a crust from forming.
4. Knead the cooled dough on a clean surface until it is smooth and pliable.
5. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on parchment paper. Cut shapes using your cookie cutters.
6. Create a hole near the top of each ornament using a straw or skewer.
7. Dry the ornaments on parchment paper. This typically takes 24-48 hours, flipping every 12 hours. Ensure full air dry to prevent cracking.
8. Thread twine or ribbon through the dried ornaments for hanging.

Pro-Tip: For extra smooth, ceramic-like look ornaments, lightly sand any rough edges with fine-grit sandpaper after they are fully dry. This demonstrates advanced attention to structural integrity and finish.

2. Achieve a Velvety Textured Finish on Ornaments with Baking Soda Paint

Pin this velvety textured ornament DIY to your holiday decor inspiration!

What You Need

• Clear plastic ornaments or glass ball ornaments (with removable tops)
• Matte acrylic paint (e.g., white, off-white, or pastel colors)
• Baking soda
• Small mixing bowl or palette
• Foam brush or wide paintbrush
• Spoon for mixing
• Paper towels or newspaper to protect work surface
• Twine or ornament hooks

What To Do

1. Prepare your work surface. If using clear plastic ornaments, ensure they are clean and dry.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine about 2 tablespoons of acrylic paint with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Mix thoroughly with a spoon. The mixture should be thick but still spreadable, creating a paste with a sandy texture.
3. Apply the baking soda paint mixture directly to the outside of your ornament using a foam brush. Use dabbing or light brushing motions to achieve a consistent velvety appearance.
4. Coat the entire ornament evenly. You may need two coats for opaque coverage, allowing each coat to dry for at least 2 hours.
5. Let the ornaments air dry completely for 24 hours. The baking soda creates texture as it dries, resulting in a cloudy texture finish.
6. Attach twine or ornament hooks for hanging.

Pro-Tip: For a more subtle velvety appearance, use a thinner paint-to-baking soda ratio. For a coarser, more sandy texture, add more baking soda. This allows you to control the textural additives and viscosity of paint for desired results.

3. Swirl Shimmery Galaxy Ornaments with Internal Baking Soda Paint

Save this shimmery galaxy ornament tutorial for a celestial touch to your tree!

What You Need

• Clear plastic ornaments or glass ball ornaments (with removable tops)
• Assorted acrylic paint colors (blues, purples, black, silver, white)
• Baking soda (about 1-2 teaspoons per ornament)
• Fine craft glitter (silver, iridescent)
• Small funnel or rolled paper for pouring
• Paper cups for mixing colors
• Ornament stand or drying rack
• Paper towels or newspaper

What To Do

1. Remove the removable tops from your clear plastic ornaments.
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda inside each ornament. This forms the base for the cloudy texture.
3. Squeeze a few drops of your chosen acrylic paint colors into the ornament, starting with a darker base color (like blue or black), followed by lighter colors and a touch of white for contrast.
4. Sprinkle a pinch of fine glitter into the ornament.
5. Replace the top (or cover the opening with your thumb) and gently swirl and shake the ornament to distribute the paint, baking soda, and glitter. Rotate slowly to coat the entire interior, allowing the paint and baking soda to mixes with each other, creating the shimmery finish and unique depth and dimension.
6. Remove the top and place the ornament upside down on a paper cup to allow excess paint to drain for at least 24 hours. This ensures even coating and prevents puddles.
7. Once drained and dry, replace the ornament top and hang.

Pro-Tip: To prevent clumping and ensure a smooth glittery galaxy effect, use liquid acrylic paints that are not too thick. If your paint is too viscous, add a tiny drop of water to improve the viscosity of paint before mixing with baking soda.

4. Create Frosted Opaque Baking Soda Paint Ornaments for a Modern Look

Pin this elegant frosted opaque ornament idea for minimalist holiday charm!

What You Need

• Clear plastic ornaments or glass ball ornaments
• White matte acrylic paint
• Baking soda
• Small dish or palette
• Craft sponge or foam brush
• Twine or thin ribbon

What To Do

1. Ensure your clear plastic ornaments are clean and dry.
2. In a small dish, mix 2-3 tablespoons of matte acrylic paint with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Stir well until you have a smooth, thick paint with an opaque paint quality and a slight sandy texture.
3. Dab the craft sponge into the baking soda paint mixture.
4. Lightly dab and coat the surface of each ornament. The goal is an even coating that provides a frosted opaque look and a subtle cloudy texture.
5. Allow to air dry for at least 1 hour, then apply a second coat if desired for full opacity.
6. Let the ornaments harden and dry completely for 24 hours.
7. Add twine or ribbon for hanging.

Pro-Tip: For the most seamless matte white finish, apply thin, even coats rather than one thick coat. This technique minimizes brush strokes and ensures consistent pigment saturation and opacity as the paint cures.

5. Craft Smooth White Baking Soda Clay Ornaments for a Ceramic-Like Look

Pin this elegant smooth white baking soda clay idea for ceramic-like look ornaments!

What You Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup cold water
• Non-stick saucepan
• Rolling pin
• Silicone molds or texture stamps (optional, for decorative imprints)
• Parchment paper
• Drinking straw
• Thin ribbon or metallic thread

What To Do

1. Follow the initial dough preparation steps as outlined in DIY #1 (Combine baking soda, cornstarch, water, stir, cook over medium heat until thickened, then cool). The key is achieving a smooth clay consistency.
2. Once cooled, knead the dough for at least 5-7 minutes. This is crucial for eliminating air bubbles and creating a truly smooth surface and ceramic-like look.
3. Roll out the dough to an even 1/4 inch thickness. For a perfectly stark white finish, ensure your work surface is spotless.
4. Cut desired shapes using cookie cutters or a sharp knife. If using, press silicone molds or texture stamps gently onto the dough surface to create intricate designs.
5. Punch a small hole near the top of each ornament with a straw.
6. Transfer ornaments to parchment paper and air dry for 24-48 hours, flipping occasionally. This prolonged curing process helps the dough harden into a durable clay that mimics ceramic.
7. Once completely dry, thread with ribbon or metallic thread.

Pro-Tip: To achieve an even more refined ceramic-like look and sturdy ornaments, you can apply a thin coat of clear craft sealant after the ornaments are fully dry. This protects them and gives a subtle sheen, enhancing their durable finish.

6. Infuse Seasonal Scents & Colors into Baking Soda Dough Ornaments

Pin these scented and colored baking soda dough ornaments for a truly sensory holiday!

What You Need

• Prepared baking soda dough (from DIY #1)
• Gel food coloring (liquid coloring can alter dough consistency)
• Christmas-scented essential oils (e.g., cinnamon, spruce, orange)
• Small bowls for dividing dough
• Plastic gloves (optional, to prevent staining hands)
• Rolling pin, cookie cutters, parchment paper, straw (as in DIY #1)

What To Do

1. Divide your prepared baking soda dough into smaller portions, one for each color or scent.
2. For coloring: Add 1-2 drops of gel food coloring to a portion of dough. Knead thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed. Wear gloves to prevent staining.
3. For scenting: Add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil to another portion of dough. Knead until the scent is thoroughly infused.
4. You can combine colors and scents, or keep them separate for distinct colored baking soda dough and scented baking soda dough.
5. Roll, cut, and shape your baking soda dough ornaments as described in DIY #1.
6. Create holes for hanging.
7. Air dry the ornaments, ensuring they are fully dry and harden. The scent will typically last for several weeks to months.

Pro-Tip: When adding color or scent, integrate it during the final kneading stage of the dough. Adding it earlier in the cooking process can diminish scent potency or alter color vibrancy due to thermal properties and pH levels.

7. Achieve a Rustic Terracotta-Style Finish on Ornaments with Baking Soda

Pin this unique terracotta-style ornament DIY for a rustic holiday vibe!

What You Need

• Clear plastic ornaments or plain existing ornaments
• Earthy-toned matte acrylic paint (e.g., terracotta, sage green, sandy beige)
• Baking soda
• Small mixing bowl
• Stiff-bristle paintbrush or foam brush
• Paper towels or old cloth

What To Do

1. Clean and dry your ornaments.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of matte acrylic paint with 1.5-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Mix thoroughly until the paint has a thick, grainy, sandy texture. This creates texture similar to natural clay.
3. Apply the baking soda paint mixture to the ornament. For a terracotta-style brushed finish, use long, even strokes in one direction. For a more aged look, you can dab the paint for a rougher finish.
4. Allow to air dry for 30 minutes, then use a dry, stiff-bristle brush to gently brush off some of the excess baking soda particles. This exposes hints of the underlying paint and enhances the terracotta style brushed finish.
5. Apply a second coat if needed for desired opacity and texture, repeating the brushing step.
6. Let the ornaments harden and dry completely for at least 24 hours.

Pro-Tip: To protect the brushed finish and sandy texture of your terracotta-style ornaments, a light spray of clear matte sealant can be applied after they are fully dry. This ensures their durable finish and prevents any shedding of baking soda particles.

Key Takeaways

• Versatile Crafting: Baking soda ball ornaments offer two distinct DIY paths: moldable non-edible dough for traditional shapes and textured paint techniques for modern finishes on existing balls.
• Essential Dough Recipe: The basic baking soda dough recipe (baking soda, cornstarch, water) thickens into a smooth clay on the stovetop, perfect for cookie cutter crafts and creating sturdy ornaments.
• Achieve Unique Textures: Mixing paint and baking soda directly creates texture like velvety appearance, sandy texture, or a cloudy texture finish on your ornaments.
• Galaxy & Frosted Effects: Use the internal swirling method for shimmery galaxy ornaments or external dabbing for a frosted opaque or matte white modern look.
• Customization is Key: Easily infuse scents with essential oils and add color with gel food coloring into your baking soda dough ornaments for personalized holiday decor.
• Prevent Cracking: Proper kneading of dough, air drying, and precise baking soda to paint ratios are crucial expert tips to prevent cracking and ensure a durable finish.
• Budget-Friendly & Kid-Safe: Many of these DIYs can be done with pantry staples or Dollar Tree ornaments, offering cheap alternatives that are generally non-toxic ingredients for kid-friendly activities.

People Also Ask About Baking Soda Ball Ornaments

How do you make baking soda ornaments?

To make baking soda ornaments, you either create a moldable dough from baking soda, cornstarch, and water, or you mix baking soda with acrylic paint to create a textured coating for existing clear ornaments. The dough is cooked, rolled, cut, and air-dried into shapes, while the paint mixture is applied by brushing or swirling to achieve various textured finishes like velvety, sandy, or frosted looks. Both methods result in unique, durable decorations.

Do baking soda ornaments crack?

Baking soda ornaments can crack if the dough is not mixed or kneaded thoroughly, dried too quickly, or exposed to significant temperature changes. To prevent cracking, ensure your dough is smooth and free of air bubbles, allow ample air dry time (24-48 hours), and flip ornaments periodically. For textured paint, ensure the baking soda to paint ratio prevents flaking or crumbling.

How long do baking soda ornaments last?

When properly made and stored, baking soda ornaments can last for many years, becoming cherished keepsakes. Their durable finish and hardened dough make them quite resilient. Store them carefully in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and avoid moisture exposure, which is key to their long lasting quality.

What is the ratio for baking soda dough?

The most common and reliable ratio for a baking soda dough recipe is 1 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 3/4 cup of cold water. This combination, when cooked over medium heat and stirred constantly, thickens into a pliable and smooth clay that is excellent for molding into sturdy ornaments without being too sticky or crumbly.

How to make baking soda galaxy ornaments?

To make baking soda galaxy ornaments, swirl a mixture of acrylic paints, baking soda, and fine glitter inside clear plastic or glass ball ornaments. First, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the ornament. Then, squeeze in drops of chosen colors (blues, purples, silver), sprinkle glitter, and swirl gently to mix until the interior is coated, creating a shimmery finish and glittery galaxy effect.

Can you use salt instead of baking soda for ornaments?

While salt dough is an alternative for homemade ornaments, baking soda dough typically yields a stark white and smooth clay that has a ceramic-like look when dry, offering a more refined finish than traditional salt dough. Salt dough is often coarser and can yellow over time, whereas baking soda dough is known for its pure white color and finer texture.

What paint works best with baking soda for textured ornaments?

Matte acrylic paints work best when mixed with baking soda for textured ornaments because they create a rich, opaque paint finish with good adherence. The matte quality enhances the velvety appearance or sandy texture that the baking soda creates texture. Avoid glossy or highly pigmented paints that might not blend as well or achieve the desired cloudy texture.

How to prevent yellowing in baking soda ornaments?

To prevent yellowing in baking soda ornaments, ensure they are made with pure baking soda dough and allowed to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Yellowing can occur if dough isn’t fully dry or if low-quality ingredients are used. A final coat of clear craft sealant can also provide protection and help preserve the stark white color.

Are baking soda ornaments fragile?

Once fully dried and hardened, baking soda ornaments are surprisingly durable and not overly fragile, especially when compared to traditional salt dough. They develop a robust, ceramic-like look and feel. However, like any homemade craft, they can break if dropped from a significant height or handled roughly, so treat them with care.

Can kids make baking soda ornaments?

Yes, baking soda ornaments are an excellent kid-friendly activity due to their non-toxic ingredients and straightforward step-by-step guide nature. The dough is safe to handle (though it is non-edible dough), and the paint application is simple. Adult supervision is recommended for the cooking stage of the dough and handling hot items.

Final Thoughts on Baking Soda Ball Ornaments

You are now fully equipped to master the art of baking soda ball ornaments. Whether you choose to create traditional shapes with the smooth, stark white baking soda dough or transform simple baubles with modern, on-trend textures, you have the proven method for success. These projects prove that stunning, long lasting holiday decor doesn’t require a large budget—just a few pantry staples and a little creativity.

These tested recipe ideas provide a fantastic starting point for your own custom creations. Which style of DIY baking soda ornaments will you try first?

Last update on 2026-01-11 at 13:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API