Salt Dough Moon Phase Wall Hanging

This moon phase wall hanging is such a delightful craft and looks beautiful displayed in your learning space.

Supplies Needed

• Salt dough (see recipe below)

• Rolling pin

• Circle Cookie Cutter

• Straw

• Baking sheet (lined with parchment paper)

• White, gray, and black paint

• Sponge

• Glitter (optional)

• Paper plate for mixing paint

• Stick or small dowel rod for hanging

Start by preparing your salt dough using the recipe below. Alternatively, you can use cardboard to make the moon phase shapes.

Salt Dough Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour

• 1/4 cup table salt

• 1/4 cup water

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Combine flour and salt. 

3. Slowly add water and combine. If the mixture is too dry, add more water. If dough is too sticky, add more flour. 

4. Knead with your hands. 

5. Roll your dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out six circles:

   • 1 Full Moon (a whole circle)

   • 2 Gibbous Moons (cut a circle and trim off part of the side)

   • 2 Quarter Moons (cut a circle in half)

   • 2 Crescent Moons (cut a circle and shape it into a crescent)

6. Use a straw to make a small hole at the top of each moon for hanging.

7. Place the moons on a baking sheet and bake them for about 2 hours, or until they are completely dry. Let them cool down after baking.

8. Combine white with a little gray and black to create different shades.

9. Dip a sponge into the paint, and gently tap it on the moons to add color. You can sprinkle some glitter on top for a sparkling effect!

10. Once your paint is completely dry, arrange the moons in the correct order: Full Moon in the center, Gibbous Moons on either side, then Quarter and Crescent Moons.

11. Hang your moons on a stick to display your fantastic moon phase wall hanging!

Have fun creating! If you enjoyed this craft, check out the Night Sky Guide and the Harvest Moon Guide for more moon lessons and activities.