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Also, the final Shrinky Dinks colors turned out very vivid and bright. We used colored pencils to color in our design and it worked perfectly. My Daughter drew some of her own templates as well and used some of the ones that I created. You are welcome to use our free shrinky dink printable below, or, feel free to create your own. In the following tutorial, we are going to show you how we made a variety of different crafts using shrinky dinks and various accessories. I know many people thing of the handprint keychains but there are really SO many other fun things to make from shrink film that would make awesome gifts.
Once you turn them into keychains, you can hang them on backpacks – but don’t stop there! It’s a fun choice for back-to-school workshops as it is so easy to install and comes in fun colors. I decided that keychains are the perfect back to school craft so that’s what I did! You absolutely need to seal them if you’re creating something you want to last long, and if you’re using paint markres.
The excitement of creating something entirely unique captivated children, encouraging artistic exploration. Once shrunk, Shrinky Dinks become remarkably durable, transforming into rigid, solid forms. While the scent might not be everyone’s favorite, it adds a sensory dimension to the crafting experience. Their presence at science fairs highlighted the intersection of art and science, inspiring young minds to explore the wonders of the material world.
- Take a piece of clear shrink plastic and rub the surface lightly with fine grade sandpaper or glass paper to create a ‘key’.
- Kids can create charms for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, or end-of-year teacher gifts.
- I asked Dad to explain the science behind plastic shrinkage to me.
- If you are using permanent markers, you can skip this step if you ant to, but other colouring methods will need this textured surface to stick to the shrink plastic sheet.
DIY Shrinky Dink Keychains:
The shrinking process itself is https://shrinky-dink.com/ scientific and perfect for introducing early learning topics. You can also use Shrinky Dinks to create classroom rewards, zipper pulls, or game pieces. When they see the plastic twist, curl, and then flatten out again, they get so excited.
For the necklace, I decided on a pattern using the letters I created and a bunch of yin yangs. For the key chains, I poked a little hole in the top of my shrinky dinks and attached some random chain with a jump ring to the shrinky dink. I made the “Paw Patrol” Marshall shrinky dinks into key chains for my kiddos, and (some of) the rest became a necklace and some earrings for me. Then, you’ll place all your little drawings on some parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake them in the oven for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Just be cautious you don’t rub off your beautiful colors when you are done.
What are Shrinky Dinks?
While shrinky dinks are fun, they’re also valuable for learning. You don’t need to be an artist to create adorable winter shrinky dinks. Which brings me to our homemade shrinky dinks. We used to cook our Easy-Bake Oven meals with foil and a light bulb, and created our own slime with cornstarch and food coloring. So unless you’re going for that look…be sure to flip the shrinky dinks!
Creative Ways to Use Winter Shrinky Dinks
As soon as I heard you could use any clear #6 plastic to create your very own homemade shrinky dinks, I’ve been checking the bottoms of food containers. Use these designs to create earrings, keychains, zipper pulls, charms, necklaces, magnets, and more. Use these Free Shrinky Dink Templates to create earrings, keychains, or charms. It’s so much fun to watch recycled plastics shrink to a fraction of the original size and show the bright colors of what you created. Their versatility made them a favorite for kids, who could turn the shrunken plastic creations into keychains, jewelry, or decorations. I remember making Shrinky Dink charms in middle school for keychains and jewelry making, and it’s a craft that I still enjoy today as an adult.
If you want to make keychains, punch the hole now with a hole punch. The ridges will flatten out in the oven. If you’re using a baking sheet/cookie sheet, you might want to cover it with foil or parchment paper before baking. This worked so well because we used the lid for shrinky dinks and the pan for baking the shrinky dinks. Recently, we found out that you can make your own shrinky dinks at home with #6 plastic!
The Shrinky Dinks will curl up as they shrink, then they’ll flatten back out. When the oven is preheated, bake the Shrinky Dinks for 3 minutes, though it may take less time. When choosing designs for your Shrinky Dinks Christmas ornaments, avoid images that have lots of dark colors. If you’re a regular reader, then you know that I love all things vintage. (When I was making these Shrinky Dinks Christmas ornaments, I sat in front of the oven and watched the whole process through the glass. The kid in me couldn’t resist.)
If you can, quickly flatten it further with something heat-resistant. Place your plastic on a heat protective surface. I created a marble composition notebook too. Just be aware that keychains sometimes do fall off, so add an alternative name to the item as well.
Creative kids and crafters saw potential beyond simple ornaments, crafting unique pins, necklaces, and earrings. Shrinky Dinks transcended their original purpose, transforming into fashionable jewelry and accessories. The nomination underscores their significance in the world of crafts and toys, highlighting their enduring influence across generations. As a finalist, they stand alongside other legendary toys, earning their place in the annals of playtime history. By aligning with popular franchises, Shrinky Dinks solidified their place in toy chests and hearts, becoming a staple of childhood playtime in the ’80s.
The Finished Earrings
The first thing you want to do is prep your shrink art paper to go through the printer. I didn’t want to use my Shrinky Dinks in the typical manner; coloring little pictures on them. An organized kit means you spend more time designing and less time hunting materials and enjoy crafting sooner.
