Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments 9 Easy DIY Ideas for 2026

Tired of the same old holiday decorations? You want to create something unique and beautiful, but complex craft projects feel overwhelming and time-consuming. It’s frustrating when you have a creative vision but can’t find a simple, fun way to bring it to life.

To make stunning baking soda galaxy ornaments, you’ll need clear ornaments, baking soda, cornstarch, water, and various colors of acrylic paint. The proven DIY method involves cooking a smooth base, adding it to the ornament, and then swirling in paint and glitter to create a breathtaking, nebula-like design right in your hands.

Based on established best practices and a tested ornament recipe, this guide makes crafting your own corner of the cosmos easy and fun. You’ll discover 9 distinct and creative ideas, from a classic nebula to a dramatic black hole. Get ready to transform simple supplies into dazzling, unique galaxy ornaments.

How Do You Make Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments at Home?

This guide provides the complete, step-by-step instructions for crafting your own baking soda galaxy ornaments. We’ve tested several methods to develop this proven DIY method that delivers consistently beautiful results, even for absolute beginners. Forget boring, store-bought decorations; this fun and easy craft project allows you to create unique and beautiful DIY cosmic ornaments that will capture everyone’s imagination. You don’t need to be an artist to achieve a professional look. The magic is in the simple chemical reaction between baking soda, cornstarch, and water, which creates the perfect medium for swirling acrylic paint into cosmic masterpieces. Ready to craft your own corner of the cosmos?

9 Easy DIY Baking Soda Galaxy Ornament Ideas for 2026

Now that you understand the basic concept, let’s explore the creative possibilities. This isn’t just one recipe; it’s a launchpad for nine different cosmic designs. Each of the following ideas uses the same foundational baking soda mixture but employs different paint colors, additives, and art techniques to achieve a completely unique look. Whether you prefer a dreamy pastel cloud or a dramatic deep space scene, you’ll find a step-by-step guide perfect for your style. We’ll cover everything from the classic nebula swirl to more advanced designs like a Milky Way ribbon, ensuring you have all the inspiration you need.

1. Create a Classic Nebula Swirl Ornament

Pin this stunning nebula design to your ‘DIY Christmas’ board!

This classic nebula ornament is the perfect starting point. It uses vibrant colors to create a stunning cosmic design with a beautiful paint swirl. This foundational tested ornament recipe is the basis for all the other creative variations in this guide.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear plastic or glass ornament, 80mm size
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup cool water
• Acrylic paint in deep blue, purple, magenta, and black
• Extra-fine white or silver glitter
• Small saucepan, whisk, and disposable cups

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Create the base: In a saucepan, mix the baking soda and cornstarch. Add the water and whisk until smooth.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with the whisk. The mixture will thicken into a smooth, mashed-potato-like consistency. This is your non-Newtonian fluid base.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
4. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled mixture into your clear ornament.
5. Pour small drops of black, blue, purple, and magenta acrylic paint directly into the ornament.
6. Add a pinch of fine glitter for a sparkling effect.
7. Cap the ornament and gently swirl and shake it until the colors blend into a dreamy, cosmic nebula pattern.
8. Remove the cap and let it dry upside down for 24-48 hours.

Pro-Tip: Don’t over-shake! The goal is to create swirls, not a single muddy color. Gentle tilting and turning often works better than vigorous shaking for achieving a nuanced color blending effect.

2. Make a Deep Space Black Glitter Ornament

This elegant deep space look is perfect for a modern tree. Pin it now!

For a more dramatic and modern space themed look, these glitter galaxy ornaments suspend holographic glitter in deep black paint. The glitter creates the illusion of a dense, sparkling starfield against the void of space.

Supplies Needed

• 1 clear glass or plastic ornament
• 2 tablespoons of the pre-made baking soda/cornstarch base
• High-quality black acrylic paint
• A mix of fine and chunky holographic glitter
• A small funnel (optional, but recommended)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare your ornament by ensuring it is clean and dry inside.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of the cooled baking soda base to the ornament.
3. Pour in a generous amount of black acrylic paint. You want a very dark, opaque base.
4. Add at least a full teaspoon of both fine and chunky holographic glitter. More is better for this look.
5. Cap the ornament and shake vigorously. Unlike the nebula swirl, the goal here is to fully mix the glitter into the black base.
6. Once evenly mixed, uncap and let it dry upside down in a cup for 48 hours.

Pro-Tip: To prevent the common problem of glitter fallout, add a small amount of clear craft glue (like Mod Podge) into the mix along with the paint. The polymer properties of the glue will help bind the glitter as it dries.

3. Design a Pastel Cosmic Cloud Ornament

Love dreamy pastels? Pin this cosmic cloud idea to your craft board!

This pastel galaxy craft creates dreamy cosmic ornaments with an ethereal, cloudy look. The key is to blend pastel paints with a white base to create a soft, cloudy texture unlike the darker, traditional galaxy designs. These are truly imaginative spheres.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear ornament
• 2 tablespoons of the baking soda/cornstarch base
• Acrylic paint in pastel pink, baby blue, soft lavender, and a large amount of white
• Fine iridescent glitter
• Disposable cups for pre-mixing colors

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare three disposable cups. In each cup, mix a small amount of white paint with one of your pastel colors to make them even lighter and more opaque.
2. Add the 2 tablespoons of baking soda base into your ornament.
3. Pour in a generous amount of plain white paint. This is key to the cloudy effect.
4. Add small drops of your pre-mixed pastel colors into the ornament.
5. Sprinkle in the iridescent glitter.
6. Cap the ornament and very gently tilt and swirl. Do not shake. The goal is to create soft, blended clouds of color.
7. Uncap and let dry upside down for 48 hours, or until fully hardened.

Pro-Tip: For a genuine ethereal look, focus on layering. Let the ornament sit for 10 minutes after the first swirl, then give it another gentle tilt. This allows the paints to settle at different rates due to surface tension effects, creating more depth.

4. Craft a Starry Night Blue & Gold Ornament

Add a touch of elegance to your tree with this starry night design. Pin for later!

Create elegant starry night spheres with this high-contrast metallic paint craft. Metallic gold paint is swirled into a deep blue base to create a rich, artistic effect that makes for sophisticated and elegant holiday decor.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear glass ornament (glass enhances the metallic shine)
• 1 tablespoon of the baking soda/cornstarch base
• High-pigment acrylic paint in deep royal or navy blue
• High-quality metallic gold acrylic paint
• Optional: tiny gold star glitter

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base to your glass ornament.
2. Pour in the deep blue paint until the ornament is about two-thirds full.
3. Gently swirl the blue paint to coat the entire interior surface, creating an even, dark canvas.
4. Drizzle the metallic gold paint inside in a thin stream.
5. Immediately and slowly, swirl the ornament. The goal is to create distinct ribbons of gold against the blue, not to fully mix them.
6. If desired, add a tiny pinch of gold star glitter.
7. Let the ornament dry upside down for 48-72 hours. Metallic paints can sometimes take longer to cure.

Pro-Tip: To avoid a common craft mistake, don’t add the baking soda base after the paint. The base must go in first to give the paint something to grip and to create the subtle cloudy texture that adds depth.

5. Assemble a Milky Way Ribbon Ornament

Create your own Milky Way! Pin this amazing tutorial for your next craft day.

This advanced galaxy ornament is a true piece of unique space art. The technique involves applying white paint and silver glitter in a concentrated band across a dark background to replicate the iconic appearance of the Milky Way galaxy.

Supplies Needed

• 1 clear ornament
• 2 tablespoons of the baking soda base
• Acrylic paint in black and navy blue
• Opaque titanium white acrylic paint
• Fine silver glitter
• A thin stick or skewer

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base to the ornament.
2. Pour in the black and navy blue paints. Cap and swirl until you have a dark, mottled space background. Let this sit for 5 minutes.
3. Uncap the ornament. Pour a thick line of white paint across the inside of the ornament on a diagonal.
4. Immediately sprinkle a heavy line of silver glitter directly on top of the white paint line.
5. Use a thin stick to gently drag the edges of the white paint outward, creating a softer, more “galactic dust” look.
6. Do not shake or swirl any further.
7. Dry upside down for at least 48 hours.

Pro-Tip: The key to a realistic Milky Way is density. Don’t be shy with the white paint and glitter in the central band. The contrast between the dense “ribbon” and the dark background is what sells the effect.

6. Create a Supernova Burst Ornament

Make an explosive statement on your tree! Pin this supernova DIY idea.

This supernova craft creates a vibrant, explosive paint effect. Bright yellow and orange paints are dropped into the center of a dark base and swirled outwards to mimic the dramatic appearance of a stellar explosion, making for a truly dynamic piece of vibrant cosmic art.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear plastic ornament
• 1 tablespoon of the baking soda base
• Acrylic paint in dark purple or black
• Acrylic paint in bright yellow, orange, and white
• Gold flakes or chunky gold glitter

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base to the ornament.
2. Pour in the dark purple paint to create the background of space. Swirl gently to coat the inside.
3. Working quickly, drop a large dollop of white paint right into the center of the ornament.
4. Immediately drop a smaller amount of yellow inside the white, and a tiny drop of orange inside the yellow.
5. Add a pinch of gold flakes.
6. Give the ornament one or two sharp, quick shakes. The goal is to make the center colors “burst” outwards into the purple.
7. Stop immediately. Over-mixing will ruin the effect.
8. Dry upside down for 48 hours.

Pro-Tip: This technique is about timing and confidence. Have all your paint colors open and ready to go before you start. The less time between adding the colors, the better they will burst and blend into a supernova effect.

7. Paint an Aurora Borealis Ornament

Capture the magic of the Northern Lights! Pin this beautiful DIY ornament idea.

This aurora borealis craft uses a special technique to create flowing, ribbon-like shapes that mimic the Northern Lights. The green and teal paints are poured in lines and swirled gently to create this piece of magical DIY decor.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear ornament
• 1 tablespoon of the baking soda base
• Black acrylic paint
• Vibrant green, teal, and a touch of purple acrylic paint
• Iridescent glitter

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base to the ornament.
2. Pour in the black paint and swirl to create the night sky background.
3. Pour the green and teal paints into the ornament in wavy lines or “ribbons.” Do not just drop them in.
4. Add a very small amount of purple next to the green for contrast.
5. Sprinkle in a tiny pinch of iridescent glitter.
6. Do not shake. Instead, cap the ornament and slowly roll it in your hands. This will stretch the lines of paint into flowing aurora-like ribbons.
7. Continue rolling until you are happy with the pattern.
8. Dry upside down for 48 hours.

Pro-Tip: The solution to muddy colors here is separation. Pour your green ribbon on one side of the ornament and the teal on the other. The gentle rolling will blend their edges beautifully without turning the whole thing into a single green color.

8. Fashion an Icy Comet Tail Ornament

This comet ornament is out of this world! Pin this cool idea for the holidays.

This comet craft ornament is a fun and creative space crafts for kids and adults alike. It uses a “drag” technique to create a bright comet head with a streaky paint effect for the tail, giving the illusion of an object streaking through space.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear ornament
• 1 tablespoon of the baking soda base
• Dark blue or black acrylic paint
• White and light blue acrylic paint
• Chunky silver glitter or glitter shards
• A thin wooden skewer

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base and dark blue paint. Swirl to create the space background.
2. On one side of the ornament’s interior, add a large drop of white paint to be the comet’s head.
3. Next to the white drop, add a smaller drop of light blue paint and a generous pinch of silver glitter.
4. Take your wooden skewer and insert it into the light blue paint/glitter.
5. Drag the skewer through the paint, pulling it away from the white “head” to create a streaky tail. Repeat 2-3 times.
6. Do not shake or swirl. The dragging motion is what creates the effect.
7. Let it dry fully for 48 hours.

Pro-Tip: For a more dynamic tail, use a mix of fine and chunky silver glitter. The varied light scattering from the different-sized flakes will create more visual interest and the illusion of movement.

9. Construct a Black Hole with a Silver Lining

Go for a dramatic, minimalist look. Pin this black hole ornament tutorial!

This black hole craft is one of the most advanced craft ideas on the list, resulting in a dramatic, minimalist DIY ornament. The technique involves creating a sharp ring of silver paint around a central void to mimic a black hole’s accretion disk.

Materials Needed

• 1 clear ornament
• 1 tablespoon of the baking soda base
• The blackest black acrylic paint you can find
• High-shine metallic silver acrylic paint
• A small, narrow-tipped funnel

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the baking soda base into the ornament.
2. Place the tip of the funnel into the ornament, aiming for the center.
3. Slowly pour the black paint through the funnel to create a large central puddle. Remove the funnel.
4. Gently swirl the ornament to spread the black paint, but try to leave a small, unpainted spot in the very center. This is the hardest part and may require using a Q-tip to wipe a spot clean.
5. Now, carefully drizzle the metallic silver paint in a circle around the central void you created.
6. Give one single, slow swirl to soften the edge of the silver ring.
7. Do not mix further. The sharp contrast is key.
8. Dry for 48-72 hours.

Pro-Tip: An alternative method for creating the void is to let the black paint dry completely first. Then, use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe away a circle of paint from the inside, and then carefully paint the silver ring by hand with a long, thin brush. This offers more control for a professional finish.

Key Takeaways

• The Base is Key: The cooked mixture of baking soda, cornstarch, and water is not just filler; its thick, smooth consistency is what allows the paint to swirl beautifully instead of becoming a muddy mess.
• Less is More When Swirling: For most designs, gentle tilting and rolling are more effective than vigorous shaking. The goal is to create vibrant color separation and dreamy swirls, not to fully blend the paint.
• Technique Determines the Design: Your final result depends entirely on the technique. A gentle swirl creates a nebula, a quick shake creates a supernova, and a slow roll creates an aurora. Choose your motion deliberately.
• Patience with Drying: These ornaments are filled with a wet mixture and need ample time to dry and harden. Place them upside down in a cup for at least 48 hours to prevent the design from pooling at the bottom.
• Embrace Creativity: The 9 ideas are just a starting point. The core baking soda ornament recipe is a versatile base for any cosmic design you can imagine. Experiment with different colors and glitter.

People Also Ask About Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments

What kind of paint works best for galaxy ornaments?

Acrylic craft paint is the best choice for making baking soda galaxy ornaments. Its water-based formula mixes well with the baking soda base, and it’s available in a huge range of colors, including the vibrant, metallic, and neon shades needed for cosmic designs. Avoid oil-based paints, as they will not mix properly and will result in a separated, oily mess inside your ornament.

Can I use glass ornaments instead of plastic?

Yes, you can absolutely use clear glass ornaments, and they often provide a clearer, more brilliant finish. However, clear plastic ornaments are highly recommended if you are crafting with kids or are concerned about breakage. Plastic is safer, lighter, and more durable, making it a more practical choice for most DIYers. The visual difference is minimal for this type of interior-painted craft.

How do you prevent baking soda ornaments from cracking?

The key to preventing cracks is to ensure the baking soda and cornstarch mixture is cooked to the right consistency and allowed to dry slowly. If the mixture is too dry or dries too quickly, it can shrink and crack. The method described in this post—adding a wet slurry to the ornament—avoids the cracking issue common with baked “baking soda dough” ornaments by keeping the material contained and moist during a slow air-dry process.

How long do homemade galaxy ornaments last?

When made and dried properly, these homemade galaxy ornaments can last for many years. The sealed environment inside the ornament protects the paint and glitter from dust and fading. The biggest risk is moisture. Ensure the ornament is completely dry before capping it tightly and store it in a dry location to prevent any potential for mold or degradation of the mixture.

What is the purpose of cornstarch in the recipe?

Cornstarch acts as a thickener and a binder, creating a smooth, clay-like consistency in the cooked mixture. While baking soda provides the base, the cornstarch is what transforms the watery mix into a non-Newtonian fluid. This unique texture is crucial because it holds the paint in suspension, allowing you to create beautiful swirls and preventing the colors from immediately mixing into a single muddy color.

How do you get a cloudy effect in galaxy ornaments?

To get a soft, cloudy texture, you need to add white acrylic paint to your baking soda base inside the ornament. Before adding your colored paints, pour in a generous amount of the base mixture and some plain white paint. Gently swirling this white base creates the foundational “cosmic cloud” or nebula gas effect, upon which you can then add swirls of other colors for a more ethereal look.

How do you seal baking soda ornaments?

The ornament itself acts as the seal for this specific craft. Once the paint and baking soda mixture inside has completely dried (which can take 48-72 hours), you simply put the metal cap back on the ornament. There is no need for an external sealant. For extra security, you can add a dab of hot glue or super glue to permanently fix the cap in place.

How do you fix runny or watery paint inside the ornament?

Runny paint is usually caused by an incorrect base-to-paint ratio or not cooking the base long enough. The solution is to ensure your baking soda/cornstarch base is cooked until it’s a thick, mashed-potato-like paste. If your mix is still too watery inside the ornament, you can try to pour a little of the excess liquid out before letting it dry.

What are common mistakes when making galaxy ornaments?

The most common mistake is over-shaking the ornament. This blends the colors too much, resulting in a single muddy color instead of distinct swirls. Other mistakes include not letting the base cool before using it (which can crack plastic ornaments), using too much paint, and not allowing the ornament to dry completely before capping it, which can trap moisture.

Can you make these galaxy ornaments without baking soda?

Yes, you can create a similar effect without the baking soda base, but the texture will be different. A popular alternative is to use a clear floor polish (like Pledge Floor Gloss) or Polycrylic. You pour the clear medium into the ornament, swirl to coat, pour out the excess, and then drop in paint and glitter. This method creates a thinner, more translucent look compared to the thick, cloudy texture from the baking soda method.

Final Thoughts on Your Cosmic Crafting Journey

With this comprehensive guide and a simple, tested ornament recipe, you now have everything you need to make your own spectacular DIY galaxy ornaments. This proven DIY method proves that you don’t need expensive supplies or years of experience to create something truly special. The creative potential is as vast as the universe itself. So gather your supplies, pick a design that inspires you, and get ready to craft your own little piece of the cosmos. Which of these cosmic designs are you most excited to try first?

Last update on 2026-01-25 at 19:16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API