With the end of the school year and start of summer activities, Father’s Day often creeps up without much preparation. This craft is a great last-minute gift for Dad, and you likely already have all the supplies in your kitchen and backyard.
Supplies
- ½ cup salt
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup water
- Small stones or gravel pebbles
- Bowl and spatula
- Measuring cup
- Cookie sheet
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2 The measurements of the recipe will make two to three paperweights. Feel free to cut the recipe in half if you only want to make one.
3 Mix flour, salt and water together in a bowl until it forms a ball. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little flour until it becomes pliable yet still moldable. Too much flour will cause the dough to crack and dry out.
4 Shape and roll part of the dough into a ball in your hands. Put the ball on a cookie sheet and flatten to about ½ inch thickness.
5 Use pebbles or small stones to create a pattern, spell out “Dad Rocks,” or any desired design. Press the pebbles firmly, yet gently into the salt dough.
6 Bake the paperweight for 2 to 2.5 hours until the dough is completely dry.
7 Take the cookie sheet out of the oven and allow the paperweights to completely cool before removing.
8 Feel free to spice up your paperweight by adding food coloring in the dough, painting the rock with a clear coat sealer or spraying with acrylic sealer.
9 Wrap up and present your paperweight to your own rocking Dad.
