With the end of the school year and start of summer activities, Father’s Day often creeps up with 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

 

 

 

 

 Instructions

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 the dough 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 2-2.5 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.

 

Megan Murray Elsener is a Chicago mother of three.