St. Nicholas Day Crafts

Give someone a St. Nick charm for safe travels.

What You'll Need:

Salt

Hot water

Flour

Measuring cups and spoons

Mixing bowl and spoon

Rolling pin

Drinking glass

Cookie sheet

Markers or paints

Pencil

Thin cord

In Italy, sailors put the symbol of St. Nicholas on the prow of their ships for a safe voyage. You can make your own good-luck charm.

First, you will have to make clay. To make the clay, mix 1 cup salt into 1-1/2 cups hot water. Ask an adult to help you so you don't burn yourself. When the mixture cools, add 1 cup flour, and mix until smooth.

Add another cup of flour and continue to mix with a spoon. Add another 1-1/2 to 2 cups flour by kneading the clay with your hands. If the clay is sticky, add more flour. If it is dry, add a little more water, a few drops at a time.

Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Form a 3-inch ball, and roll it out with your rolling pin on a floured counter. Press the rim of a drinking glass into the clay to cut out a circular shape. Cut out as many charms as you want.

Use a pencil to poke a hole near the top of each circle. Bake the charms on a cookie sheet for thirty minutes. When they cool, use paint or markers to make St. Nick's face. Thread cord through the hole in the charm.

For more fun activities and crafts for kids, see: