The first time we made these, I was skeptical. Ornaments from baking soda? From my pantry? It sounded like one of those Pinterest crafts that looks amazing online and ends in tears at my kitchen table. But no — the dough came together in ten minutes, the kids painted galaxies like tiny little artists, and our tree now has a whole section of hand-painted space.
These ornaments are the perfect mix of kitchen science and art project. The dough itself is fascinating (it goes from soupy to dough right in the pan!), and the painting part is pure creative chaos. Fair warning: if your kids are like mine, someone WILL try to paint their entire hand "like a nebula."
Why You'll Love Making These
Everything comes from your pantry — baking soda, cornstarch, water. No special trip to the craft store, no weird ingredients. And the finished ornaments genuinely look impressive: deep blues and purples with little star splatters, sealed with varnish so they last for years.
This is also a two-day project in the best way: make and cut the dough one evening, paint the next day while it dries in between. It stretches the fun out and gives impatient little hands a good reason to come back tomorrow. My kids checked on their "space rocks" about forty times during drying.
Materials You'll Need
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup water
- Acrylic paint in dark blues, purples, black, and white
- Glitter (optional)
- Varnish or clear sealant (optional but recommended)
- Ribbon or hooks for hanging
- A saucepan, cookie cutters, and a straw or skewer for hanging holes
- Parchment paper for drying
That's it — pantry staples plus paint.
<img src="https://thediynook.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pin-v1-9.webp" alt="Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments" />
Step-by-Step Directions
- Mix the baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan. Stir until the powders dissolve and there are no lumps.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. It'll bubble, then thicken, then pull away from the sides into a soft mound of dough. This part is so cool to watch.
- Take it off the heat and let it cool until it's warm but comfortable to touch — little hands need to handle this safely.
- Roll out the dough and cut ornament shapes with cookie cutters or a small cup for circles.
- While the dough is still warm, poke a hole near the top of each ornament with a straw or skewer for the hanging ribbon.
- Lay them on parchment paper in a dry spot and let them dry completely — 24 to 48 hours until they feel solid all the way through.
- Once dry, paint your galaxies: layer dark blues, purples, and black, then splatter white paint with a toothbrush or sponge for stars. Messy is good here.
- Add a sprinkle of glitter while the paint is still tacky if you want extra sparkle.
- After the paint dries, seal with a thin coat of varnish to protect everything and make the colors pop.
- Thread ribbon through the holes, knot it, and hang them up. Step back and admire your galaxy.
The Learning Behind This Craft
The dough-making is real kitchen science: the heat drives off water and binds the baking soda and cornstarch into workable dough. Kids watch it transform from runny soup to solid dough right in front of them — that's cause and effect they can actually see.
Rolling, cutting, and poking holes build fine motor skills, and the painting step is a playground for color blending and pattern-making. My oldest learned that dabbing lighter colors over dark ones creates "depth," and now she explains it to everyone like a tiny art professor.
Tips If Things Go Sideways
Dough too sticky? You probably pulled it off the heat a touch early, or it's a humid day. Sprinkle a little cornstarch on it and knead gently until it cooperates.
Cracks while drying? It dried too fast or unevenly. Move future batches to a steady room-temperature spot, and for the cracked ones — just paint over them. Cracks disappear under paint and varnish, I promise.
Still soft in the middle after 48 hours? Thicker shapes take longer. Give them a few more days somewhere warm and dry, and press lightly in the center to check.
Paint flaking off later? It probably needs sealing — a thin coat of varnish fixes it right up.
Fun Variations to Try
- Paint tiny planets instead of galaxies — bands and spots like Jupiter, with a metallic paint ring for Saturn.
- Make a starry garland by painting matching galaxy circles and stringing them close together over a window.
- Skip the hanging hole and glue a magnet on the back for fridge art.
- Press a leaf into one ornament before it dries for a subtle natural imprint.
- Go seasonal: warm golds and glitter for Christmas, pale teals and silver for a wintery look.
FAQs
Will this make a big mess?
Some paint splatter, yes — but lay down a mat, grab some wipes, and put the kids in aprons. The dough itself is clean to handle.
Is it safe for little kids?
With supervision, yes. An adult should handle the saucepan and hot dough. Once it cools, kids can do the rolling, cutting, and painting.
What if I don't have cornstarch?
Stick to the recipe for reliable results — this dough really needs it. But if you're out, try a different baking-soda craft instead rather than improvising.
How long will the ornaments last?
Years, if you seal them with varnish and store them dry. Wrap them in tissue so they don't scratch each other in the box.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes — wrap it tightly in plastic and refrigerate for a day. Let it warm up and knead it before rolling.
Do they have to be Christmas ornaments?
Not at all! Skip the holiday colors and make a space-themed garland for a kid's room, or magnets for the fridge.
