Kids can create charms for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, or end-of-year teacher gifts. They’re fast—most kids can finish their drawing and cutouts in 10–20 minutes, and the baking takes less than 3 minutes. Shrinky Dink crafts check so many boxes for caregivers, teachers, and parents.

What Are Shrinky Dinks?

They’re durable enough to become keychains, jewelry, backpack tags, Christmas ornaments, zipper pulls, or even educational manipulatives. Shrinky Dink projects are easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and customizable for any theme you’re teaching. Whether you run a child care program like I do or you’re looking for something fun to do on a rainy afternoon, Shrinky Dink crafts are a winner every single time. Kids watch their artwork shrink before their eyes, becoming vibrant, sturdy charms they can wear, hang, or collect.

What was the Best Selling Shrinky Dink Set?

Make sourdough bread…and learn some colonial history and modern science in the process! Learn more about the imposing tsunami with this worksheet about the science of tsunamis. Learn more about the swirling, whirling science behind tornadoes with this wild worksheet. For science lovers and chemistry geeks alike, here are some sweet science valentines to print for friends and family! This is the same process used to “shrink wrap” items like food containers or other products that have protective plastic wraps. The cool thing about thermoplastics is that upon reheating the plastic, it reverts to its original state, in other words, it shrinks.

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When selecting plastics for crafting projects like shrinky dinks, it is crucial to prioritize safety by choosing materials that are non-toxic and food-safe. This can be beneficial for projects that require more precise dimensions, as the final product will be closer to the original size. This has led to the development of new products and techniques, including the use of different types of plastic and the incorporation of various additives to enhance the shrinking process. Either send it to me by email or share it on my facebook page– I’d love to add it to my Shrinky Dinks Fun Pinterest Board! How much a shrinky dink shrinks will vary by brand and how it is cut…most brands of shrinky dinks shrink roughly 1/3 the size of the original but below is how you can know for sure. As mentioned above, clear #6 plastic, often used in restaurant takeout lids, are a perfect substitute for store bough shrink film.

• I happened to have a thin business card magnet that I didn’t need.
• Introduced in 1973, Shrinky Dinks had kids (and crafty adults) creating artwork on flexible sheets of plastic that, when popped in the oven, would magically shrink down to approximately 1/3 their original size.
• The joy of transforming a simple drawing into a tangible, shrunken masterpiece captivates both young and old, making Shrinky Dinks a timeless craft.
• Get our tips and see the results for testing different colored pencils on shrink film plastic.
• If you’re just getting started or thinking about experimenting with shrink plastic, making a cheat sheet is a perfect way to begin!
• I could see all those packages turning into dozens of “free” faux Shrinky Dinks for Mitch’s crafting needs.

I love the colours of these shrinky dink keychains and it’s so cool that each one is unique! Our star keychain started off a little over 3 inches across and it was 1-1/4 inches in size after shrinking! Shrinky Dink film is often used to make keychains, zipper pulls, ornaments, and jewelry.

Trying to fix samples that shrunk unevenly is difficult since they become tacky (sticky) when hot and would stick to an iron’s surface. So THEN I used my brain and we cut out a sheet from each side of the box (giving me now 250 sheets! WOOT! I do love a bargain) and shrunk those with absolute perfection. We added a jump ring to some of our shapes and strung on cording along with beads to make necklaces. Next cut out the shapes and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1-3 minutes. When cool (it doesn’t take very long to cool) add lobster clasps and jump rings.

The package had six measly little images on miniature plastic chips of Cinderella and Snow White and company accompanied by the shortest colored pencils you’ve ever thought possible. Please hang out with me awhile and check it out! The commercial sheets have a rough surface. For my size, I started with a strip 5″ long by about 1″ to 1 1/2″ wide. It took some trial and error to find the right size. On a larger shaped tag (starting size 4″ long by 2 3/4″ wide) we placed a clip so it could be a zipper pull.

Updated kits hit the shelves, featuring modern designs and themes that appealed to both children and adults reminiscing about their own childhoods. Nostalgia breathed new life into Shrinky Dinks in the 2000s, as a new generation discovered the joy of crafting with these magical plastic sheets. Creative kids and crafters saw potential beyond simple ornaments, crafting unique pins, necklaces, and earrings.

Real Shrinky Dinks shrink to about 1/3 of their size when placed in a 350 degree oven. Think you can save your crafting dollar by using take out boxes for Shrinky Dink crafts? As you can see, it didn’t go well. Mitch’s Minecraft figure turned white on one side and barely shrinky dink plastic sheets shrunk. Our first attempt on recycled plastic didn’t go so well.

They’re my favorite, with one side that has a sanded surface, which, takes mediums really well! It’s like a magic art project – you draw on the shrink film, heat it up, and watch it shrink! Label the type of plastic if you’re using more than one kind to avoid confusion. Use small bins or drawers to organize markers, colored pencils, scissors, and hole punches.

We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. From Sharpie markers and acrylic markers to chalk pastels and cheap colored pencils, different tools work better depending on your plastic sheet and design. Shrinky Dinks are a fun and creative craft that allows you to design and shrink plastic creations into durable charms, decorations, and keepsakes.

Place your earrings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for 1-3 minutes, or until the plastic has shrunk and hardened. Place your design on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for 1-3 minutes, or until the plastic has shrunk and hardened. Use colored pencils to draw a design on the plastic sheet. These plastic sheets shrink down and harden when heated in an oven, making them perfect for creating keychains, jewelry, and more.

Ensure the surface is clean and ready for drawing or printing. The crafting process is straightforward and, best of all, suitable for all ages, making it a great family activity. As you embark on your Shrinky Dink adventures, don’t forget to share your creations with others—crafting is always more fulfilling when shared! Use Shrinky Dinks to create unique gifting items such as custom bookmarks, ornaments, or small picture frames that feature personal messages or images. Create fashionable earrings, pendants, or bracelets by designing unique shapes and characters. In the journey of crafting with Shrinky Dinks, you may encounter a few common issues.

Craft Tools I Use

Then they will flatten out again. The ridges will flatten out in the oven. The package had six measly little images on miniature plastic chips of Cinderella and Snow White and company accompanied by the shortest colored pencils you’ve ever shrinky dink crafts thought possible. Once they flatten out, allow another 30 seconds in the oven.

Tracing and colouring your design

Don’t forget to let your ink dry before adding any coloured pencil embellishments, and remember that colours will become more saturated and vibrant after baking, so less is more in this case. Grab some colored pencils and permanent markers and doodle away! Make sure to not touch the shrinky dinks with your hand to flatten – they are very hot.

The shapes will curl at the edges and settle down as they shrink. – Bake your Shrinky Dinks at 325°F for 1-3 minutes, or until they have fully shrunk and flattened out. Additionally, choosing shrink plastic sheets made from recyclable materials helps reduce waste and minimize the carbon footprint of your crafting projects. Once baked, the sheets will harden and retain their vibrant colors, making them perfect for jewelry, ornaments, or any other crafting project.

If you have pieces that are still slightly curled after baking, you can press them flat (while they are still hot) with a book or other heavy object. I created this Shrinky Dink charm necklace with some of my favorite book covers. What a creative way to make jewellery, using colouring book images and shrink film? It’s a fun and creative project that results in unique, lightweight statement earrings that are perfect for adding a pop of colour to any outfit.

Shrinky Dink Pins

Acrylic paint, watercolor, and permanent markers also work well due to their adhesion. For these projects, you’ll need Shrinky Dink sheets, acrylic paint (Yes, You Can Use Acrylic Paint on Shrinky Dinks!), some scissors, and a baking sheet. Inspect for flaws after cooling; check for rough edges or fading in vibrant colors. Shrinky Dinks are plastic sheets that shrink into hard, colorful shapes when baked in an oven. Read sports-themed books, try simple physical activities, and encourage kids to share their own experiences playing sports or watching their favorite teams. Start by lightly sanding the Shrinky Dink sheet if you’re using one that requires colored pencils, this helps the color stick better.

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Haus Panther has actually created this DIY wraparound cat ring using the material – So good! Handmade Charlotte posted this clever and crafty tutorial which is perfect for decorating the home with in the winter months. We adore these DIY cacti shrinky dinks, especially how you can turn them into pendants to adorn your most favorite necklaces. She has created these DIY pet tags using shrink plastic.

• Or for more outdoor themed patterns check out these 24 Free Printable Spring Shrinky Dink Patterns.
• The crafting process is straightforward and, best of all, suitable for all ages, making it a great family activity.
• This works fine if you are a paper crafter who can stamp with archival inks, or you have a great selection of permanent coloured pens, but your average crafter does not.

Specialty Art Shops: Visit specialty art supply stores for high-quality Shrinky Dink plastic sheets

Once they are both selected, click “Flatten” on the lower right menu to turn the selection into a Print Then Cut group! The last step is to select both the sunflower and the letter by clicking and dragging a box over top of both. You can resize the text by clicking on the letter and selecting one of the corner white boxes surrounding the letter with your mouse. I want to use a font I have saved on my computer, so I’ll select “System” and type the name of the font in the search box.

What To Do With Your DIY Shrinky Dinks

– Yes, colored pencils can be used to create designs on the Shrinky Dinks. – Always supervise children when using scissors or handling hot items in the oven. Whether you’re making gifts for loved ones or simply enjoying a fun crafting session, the possibilities are endless with this DIY project.”

Use small bins or drawers to organize markers, colored pencils, scissors, and hole punches. To keep your Shrinky Dink crafting easy and fun, it helps to store your supplies well. Shrinky Dinks are a fantastic craft for children, but a few safety tips go a long way. Let the pieces cool completely before handling, or press them gently flat using a spatula or smooth object while still warm if needed. Once it has stopped moving and lies flat, let it bake for another 30 seconds.

Keep in mind that containers with warnings or stamps on them might affect the smoothness of your design, so try to find containers with a smooth surface. Opt for containers that offer a larger, flatter canvas for your Shrinky Dinks. Some containers, such as those for berries or sushi, may have limited flat plastic, making it challenging to draw or trace designs. When choosing a plastic container to make shrinky dinks, it’s important to select one that is safe and will produce the desired results. You came up with the perfect solution here in 2014 and 5 years later, I’m about to try it!