Scented Pumpkin Ornaments

Do you want to make quick, easy, and kid friendly autumn home décor? Making scented pumpkin ornaments is the perfect activity for you. This project is perfect for bringing the fall feeling (and smell) into your home. Follow the directions below to learn how to make your very own scented pumpkin ornaments.

The following supplies can be found around the house or at your local grocery store:

- flour

- salt

- water

- measuring cups

- a baking pan

- parchment paper

- vanilla extract

- pumpkin spice

- decorative craft supplies (markers, glue, glitter, googly eyes, etc.)

- food coloring

- ribbon

- a mixing bowl

- a rubber spatula

- a rolling pin

- an oven.

Mix together a cup of flour and a half cup of salt in your bowl. Slowly pour a few tablespoons of water into the flour and salt mixture. Then mix. Alternate between pouring water and mixing until the dough becomes smooth. Next, add in about a tablespoon of vanilla extract and mix until combined. Add in a generous amount of pumpkin spice seasoning. Finally, add in orange (or any color) food coloring until you reach the desired color. You have now successfully made the dough. On to the next step.

Take your dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Use a knife (or cookie cutter) to cut out the outline of a pumpkin. Take the outline out of the dough and shape the edges with your fingers. Remember, every pumpkin looks different so don't worry if your pumpkins aren't uniform. Use a plastic spoon to carve the grooves of the pumpkin. Use the back of the spoon to create a hole for the ribbon. Once you have finished your pumpkin place it on a tray that is covered with parchment paper. Repeat this process until your have your desired amount of pumpkins and/or you run out of dough. Store any left over salt dough in a sealable plastic bag and place in the refrigerator to last up to 7 days.

Once you have finished shaping your pumpkins and have placed all of them on your parchment covered tray, preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven preheats let the pumpkins sit on the counter. Once the oven is heated, place the pumpkins in the oven for an hour. After the hour is up, remove the pumpkins from the oven and let them cool completely.

Once the pumpkins are completely cooled, it is time to start decorating. You can decorate your pumpkin with anything. Feel free to be as creative as possible. You can add glitter, draw on faces, or even glue on google eyes. The possibilities are endless! I will be drawing on jack o lantern faces to celebrate Halloween. String the ribbon through the hole in the stem of the pumpkin. You can string each ornament individually or string them on a long piece of ribbon.

Hang your ornaments around your house or in a tree! I hung my ornaments in a tree. See if you can spot all eleven pumpkins.