DIY Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments for Holidays

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Late afternoon light rests across the work table while the baking soda mixture cools beneath your fingertips. It feels soft and slightly powdery, then turns pleasantly smooth as you knead it. With a few quiet colors and tiny painted stars, Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season becomes a slow winter project for an open afternoon, a cup of tea nearby, and no need to hurry.

The Quiet Joy of Making Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season

These ornaments begin with simple pantry materials, but the finished surface feels much more special than the ingredients suggest. Baking soda gives the dough a soft, matte finish that accepts paint beautifully. Once you press, cut, dry, and decorate each piece, you have a small handmade object with the weight and calm presence of a ceramic ornament.

The process suits a quiet kitchen table or a work surface near a sunny window. You stir the mixture slowly, listen to the spoon scrape the pan, and wait for the dough to cool enough to touch. The waiting matters. Many people find making things calming because their attention settles on one small movement at a time, without needing to produce something perfect.

I like this project during the long evenings before Christmas, when the house feels a little quieter after dinner. The first ornaments often look uneven around the edges, and that is part of their charm. A slightly lopsided circle can look like a tiny planet, especially once the dark blue paint and scattered white stars cover the surface.

You can make the ornaments with children nearby, prepare them as a slow weekend activity, or work alone with music low in the background. The materials cost roughly $8 to $18 if you need to buy most of them, although the range varies by store. You may already have much of what you need in the kitchen or craft drawer.

The Flow of Making Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season

The main technique combines cooked baking soda dough with acrylic painting. Cooking the dough creates a smooth, moldable base rather than a loose paste, and the paint adds the deep layered look of a night sky. You will roll the cool dough, cut simple shapes, make hanging holes, and let the pieces dry completely before painting.

Plan for about 35 to 50 minutes of active time, including mixing, rolling, cutting, and painting. The dough needs at least 24 hours of dry time before you paint it, and the painted ornaments need another 2 to 4 hours to dry before you handle them normally. Thick paint or a damp room may extend that wait.

The rhythm feels gentle but slightly fiddly in places. You will need to watch the pan as the mixture thickens, and the thin ornament edges can crack if you lift them too quickly. Work on parchment and move slowly. The surface should feel cool, firm, and dry before the galaxy colors begin.

What You Will Use to Make Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season

• 1 cup baking soda, fresh and finely powdered
• 1/2 cup cornstarch, plain pantry cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water, divided as needed
• 1 tablespoon white craft glue, optional for added flexibility
• 1 set of star, moon, or circle cookie cutters, 2 to 3 inches wide
• 1 sheet parchment paper, at least 12 inches wide
• 1 rolling pin, or a smooth drinking glass about 10 inches long
• 1 wooden skewer or drinking straw, for hanging holes
• 1 small saucepan, 1 to 2 quart capacity
• 1 silicone spatula or wooden spoon
• 1 measuring cup set, including a 1/2 cup and 1 cup measure
• 1 measuring spoon set, including a 1 tablespoon measure
• 1 flat baking sheet or tray, at least 12 inches wide
• 1 sheet of fine sandpaper, 220 grit, optional for smoothing edges
• 1 small bottle dark blue acrylic paint, 2 fluid ounces
• 1 small bottle purple acrylic paint, 2 fluid ounces
• 1 small bottle white acrylic paint, 2 fluid ounces
• 1 small bottle silver or light blue acrylic paint, 2 fluid ounces
• 1 small flat paintbrush, about 1/2 inch wide
• 1 small detail paintbrush, about 1/8 inch wide
• 1 cup clean water for rinsing brushes
• 1 paper towel or cotton cloth, for blotting brushes
• 24 inches cotton cord or narrow ribbon, cut into eight 3-inch pieces
• 1 disposable table covering or reusable drop cloth, about 2 feet by 3 feet
• 1 pair disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves, optional for painting
• 1 roll painter’s tape, optional for holding parchment in place

You can replace acrylic paint with washable tempera for a child-friendly version, although tempera may remain softer and less water resistant. If you do not have cornstarch, arrowroot powder can work in the same quantity, but the dough may feel a little different while cooking.

Look around the house before buying anything. A clean cereal box can become a paint palette, an old cotton shirt can replace paper towels, and leftover ribbon from a gift package can replace new cord. A smooth jar can stand in for the rolling pin, while a clean straw can make the hanging holes.

Step by Step

1. Difficulty: easy intermediate. Cover the table first with a reusable drop cloth or a sheet of paper. Keeping the work surface protected saves the whole evening when floury crumbs, paint, and water begin to travel.
2. Measure 1 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup cornstarch into a 1 to 2 quart saucepan. Add 3/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon white craft glue if you want a slightly more flexible finished ornament.
3. Stir the mixture over low to medium-low heat with a silicone spatula. It will look thin at first, then thicken into something like mashed potatoes. Keep stirring so the bottom does not catch.
4. Remove the pan when the dough pulls away from the sides and gathers around the spatula. Thick dough holds its shape better, while a loose mixture creates weak ornaments that crack as they dry.
5. Spoon the hot dough onto parchment paper and let it cool for about 15 to 20 minutes. The dough feels cool and soft when ready, not warm enough to make your hands uncomfortable.
6. Knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes on the parchment. If it feels sticky, dust the surface with a very small amount of baking soda. Too much extra powder makes the finished ornaments crumbly.
7. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut eight shapes with your cookie cutters, gathering and rerolling the scraps gently. Thinner pieces dry faster but break more easily, while thicker pieces feel sturdy yet need longer drying.
8. Use a wooden skewer or drinking straw to make one hole near the top of each ornament. Leave at least 1/4 inch of dough around the hole so the edge does not split when you add the cord.
9. Transfer the shapes to a flat baking sheet lined with parchment. Smooth rough edges with a damp fingertip, then leave the ornaments uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours, turning them once after about 12 hours.
10. Sand any raised edges lightly with 220 grit sandpaper after the pieces feel fully dry. Sanding works best now because the dry surface sheds a fine powder, and a few gentle passes make the edges feel more finished.
11. Paint the ornaments with a thin coat of dark blue acrylic paint. Let that coat dry for 30 to 45 minutes, then add a second thin coat. Two thin coats cover better than one thick coat because thick paint can crack as it dries.
12. Blend small areas of purple and light blue into the blue while the second coat feels slightly damp, or let the base dry and layer the colors afterward. Dab with a nearly dry brush instead of flooding the surface, which keeps the galaxy soft rather than muddy.
13. Use the detail brush to add white and silver dots, tiny stars, and a few uneven specks. Vary the sizes. A galaxy looks more natural when the marks do not form a perfect pattern.
14. If the first attempt looks patchy, let it dry before changing anything. Add another thin blue layer over the dull spots, or leave a few uneven areas visible because they create depth beneath the stars.
15. Let the painted ornaments dry for 2 to 4 hours. Thread one 3-inch piece of cotton cord or ribbon through each hole and tie a small knot, leaving the loop loose enough to hang from a branch.
16. Rinse brushes before the paint dries, wipe the work surface, and allow any remaining paint water to settle before disposal. Let the ornaments rest overnight before packing them away or hanging them on a busy tree.

Safety Notes

Keep the saucepan on a stable burner and use an adult’s hands for the hot dough. Children age 8 and older can help cut cooled shapes and paint with close supervision, while younger children should watch the cooking step and use washable paint only with an adult nearby.

Acrylic paint and glue should stay away from eyes and mouths. Sanding dust calls for a dust mask, especially if you smooth many ornaments. Do not pour leftover paint water, glue, or solvent down the drain; take unwanted paint or other household hazardous waste to a local household hazardous waste drop-off. Keep the saucepan for craft use afterward if residue does not wash out easily.

Bringing Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season Into Your Space

These ornaments feel most at home on a Christmas tree, a small tabletop branch, or a simple garland across a mantel. Their matte surface catches warm lights without becoming too shiny, and the scattered stars look especially gentle beside natural wood, paper, or dried greenery.

Try hanging three ornaments from a bare branch in a heavy vase on the entryway table. You can also place one on a wrapped gift as a keepsake tag, then give it to a neighbor, teacher, or host at a holiday gathering. Add the recipient’s initial on the back with the detail brush if you want the gift to feel personal without becoming elaborate.

Keep the ornaments away from direct rain, damp porch air, and unprotected wood surfaces. The baking soda base tolerates ordinary indoor humidity, but water can soften or stain it. I keep mine on an indoor tree where the evening lights make the tiny white dots glow without exposing the pieces to moisture.

Making This DIY Last

Dust the ornaments with a soft, dry paintbrush or a clean microfiber cloth. Do not soak them or wipe them with a wet cloth, since water can soften the baking soda surface and blur the acrylic paint. If a small mark appears, brush around it rather than rubbing hard.

For storage between seasons, wrap each ornament in tissue paper and place the bundle in a lidded plastic bin. Do not press heavy decorations on top of them. The pieces realistically last several holiday seasons indoors when you keep them dry, although corners may chip if they knock against glass or metal.

You can refresh a faded ornament with a thin layer of blue paint and a few new stars. A cracked piece can become a paint sample, a package embellishment, or a small hanging decoration for a child’s room. Remaking the dough later takes less time once you know how thick you prefer to roll it.

Store unopened paint tightly sealed in a cool, dry place, and keep glue away from heat. Baking soda and cornstarch can return to ordinary household use only if they stayed clean and separate from paint, glue, and sanding dust.

Small Ways to Make It Your Own

Try a softer sky. Replace the deepest blue with navy, dusty purple, or charcoal gray. A darker base makes the white stars stand out sharply, while a pale blue version feels quieter on a light-colored tree.

Change the scale. Cut 2-inch shapes for a delicate garland, or use 3-inch cutters for a fuller ornament. Larger pieces show the painted galaxy more clearly but need extra care while drying and handling.

Use a lower-waste palette. Mix one dark paint color with a little white to make several shades instead of buying many bottles. You can also save small amounts of leftover paint from other projects and test them on a scrap piece first.

Make a seasonal variation. For fall, paint a deep plum background with copper dots and tiny cream moons. For Christmas, use midnight blue, silver, and warm white, then add a narrow strip of red ribbon.

Package a small gift. Wrap one ornament in tissue paper and place it inside a recycled kraft box or a clean gift tin. A handwritten note explaining that you made it by hand gives the simple present a warm, personal finish.

FAQs About Create Stunning Baking Soda Galaxy Ornaments This Holiday Season

Are baking soda galaxy ornaments suitable for a complete beginner?

Yes, this project suits a complete beginner who follows the thickness and drying guidance. The cooking step needs steady stirring, and cutting the dough can feel a little fiddly, but neither technique requires special experience. Expect your first pieces to have slightly uneven edges. Sanding and layered paint make those small differences much less noticeable.

What can I use instead of cornstarch or acrylic paint?

You can use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch in the same quantity, although the dough may feel slightly softer. Washable tempera can replace acrylic paint when children help, but it may not resist moisture as well. If you lack a rolling pin, use a smooth jar or drinking glass and press evenly.

How long do baking soda ornaments really take to dry?

The unpainted ornaments need at least 24 hours to dry at room temperature, and thick pieces may need 36 hours. Turn them after about 12 hours so air reaches both sides. After painting, allow another 2 to 4 hours before adding the cord. A cool or humid room can extend both drying periods.

What should I do if the ornaments crack or the paint looks uneven?

Let the piece dry before repairing it. Small cracks can receive a thin smear of fresh dough, although the patch may remain visible after drying. For uneven paint, add another thin coat instead of one heavy coat. Bubbles in the paint usually flatten as it dries, and tiny irregularities can look like distant stars.

Can children help make these ornaments, and what age is best?

Children age 8 and older can help roll cooled dough, press cutters, make painted dots, and tie ribbon with supervision. An adult should handle the hot saucepan and check that the dough has cooled fully. Younger children can paint finished dry shapes with washable tempera, but keep the pieces and supplies away from mouths.

A Gentle Note Before You Go

Give the ornaments room to become what they are. The colors may blend differently than you imagined, one edge may lean, and the stars may gather in one corner instead of spreading evenly. Those small marks show the time your hands spent there, and a quiet hour at the table can be enough reason to make them.

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