Baking Soda Glow Winter Tree Ornaments
Create stunning glow-in-the-dark ornaments with simple ingredients for a magical winter decoration.
Ingredients
For the Ornament Base
- 1 cup baking soda Main ingredient for the dough.
- ½ cup white vinegar Reacting agent with baking soda.
- ¼ cup corn starch Can substitute with flour.
For Decorating
- as needed glow-in-the-dark paint or powder Optional for added effect.
- as needed ribbon or twine For hanging ornaments.
Tools
- 1 baking sheet For baking the ornaments.
- 1 parchment paper To line the baking sheet.
- various cookie cutters To shape the ornaments.
- 1 rolling pin To roll out the dough.
- 1 toothpick For making holes in ornaments.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of baking soda, ½ cup of white vinegar, and ¼ cup of corn starch.
- Stir gently but continuously over medium heat. The mixture will begin to bubble and foam.
Cook Until Thickened
- Continue to stir for about 5-7 minutes or until the mixture thickens and resembles a dough.
- Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Shape the Ornaments
- Once cooled, knead the dough on a clean surface for a minute until smooth.
- Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
Create Holes
- With a toothpick, carefully make a small hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
Bake the Ornaments
- Preheat your oven to 175°F (80°C).
- Place the cut-out shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 1-2 hours until completely dried out and hard.
Decorate
- Once cooled, you can paint your ornaments with glow-in-the-dark paint for added effect.
- Allow the paint to dry before threading a ribbon or twine through the holes.
Notes
Customization: Add glitter or other embellishments to the paint for a sparkling finish. If you don’t have corn starch, you can use flour as a substitute, although the texture may vary slightly. Experiment with different shapes such as stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees.