Remember that feeling of pure magic when something you drew suddenly shrunk down into a tiny, hard plastic charm? That’s the enduring appeal of Shrinky Dinks! This classic craft, popular since the 1970s, continues to captivate kids (and adults!) with its fascinating transformation process. It’s a wonderfully simple yet incredibly versatile activity that combines drawing, coloring, and a touch of kitchen science to create durable, personalized treasures like keychains, zipper pulls, and more. If you’re looking for a screen-free activity that sparks creativity and delivers tangible results, Shrinky Dinks are a fantastic choice.
What Exactly Are Shrinky Dinks?
At its core, a Shrinky Dink is a special sheet of polystyrene plastic (specifically, #6 plastic). This plastic has a unique property: when heated to a specific temperature in an oven, it shrinks significantly, typically down to about one-third of its original size, while becoming about nine times thicker and much more rigid. Before heating, the sheets are pliable enough to be cut with scissors and can be drawn or colored on. The heat causes the polymer chains in the plastic to tighten up, resulting in the shrinking and hardening effect. It’s this transformation that feels like pure magic, especially for kids watching their artwork undergo such a dramatic change.
Gathering Your Shrinky Dink Supplies
Getting started with Shrinky Dinks is relatively easy and doesn’t require a vast array of specialized tools. Here’s what you’ll generally need:
Shrinky Dinks Plastic Sheets: These are the star of the show. They come in various types:
- Clear: Perfect for tracing designs or creating a stained-glass effect. Best colored with permanent markers.
- Frosted (Ruff N’ Ready): This type has one rough side and one smooth side. The rough side is excellent for grabbing color from colored pencils, making blending easier. Permanent markers also work well.
- White: Provides an opaque background for your designs, making colors pop. Works well with permanent markers and sometimes colored pencils (check package).
- Inkjet Printable: Special sheets designed to be run through an inkjet printer, allowing you to print photos or digital designs directly onto the plastic before shrinking.
- Pre-printed kits: These come with designs already outlined, ready for coloring. Great for younger kids or themed parties.
Coloring Tools: The best tools depend on the type of Shrinky Dink plastic you’re using.
- Permanent Markers (like Sharpies): The go-to for clear, white, and the smooth side of frosted sheets. Offer bold, vibrant colors. Be mindful they can streak sometimes.
- Colored Pencils: Ideal for the frosted (rough) side. Allow for shading and blending. Colors will intensify significantly after baking.
- Acrylic Paint Pens: Can sometimes be used, but test first. Ensure the paint is fully dry before baking. Avoid water-based markers or crayons as they may not adhere well or could run/melt.
Scissors: Regular craft scissors work fine for cutting out your designs.
Hole Punch: A standard handheld hole punch is essential if you plan to make keychains, charms, or ornaments. Remember to punch the hole before baking!
Oven: A conventional oven or a toaster oven works perfectly. Avoid microwave ovens.
Baking Surface: A flat metal baking sheet is needed. You’ll also need a liner.
Liner for Baking Sheet: Parchment paper is highly recommended. A brown paper bag (cut open and laid flat) or even plain cardstock can also work. This prevents the plastic from sticking directly to the metal pan.
Spatula or Flat Object: Useful for flattening pieces immediately after they come out of the oven if they haven’t settled completely flat.
Oven Mitts: Absolutely essential for handling the hot baking sheet.
Optional Extras: Keychain rings, jump rings, jewelry findings (like earring hooks or necklace chains), craft glue, glitter glue, sealant (like Mod Podge or clear acrylic spray) if you want extra protection for the finished pieces.
The Magical Shrinky Dink Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Design and Draw
This is where the creativity begins! Kids can draw their own original characters, patterns, favorite animals, or even just abstract shapes. Tracing is also a popular option – you can trace pictures from coloring books, comics, or printouts placed underneath a clear or frosted sheet. Remember the shrink factor! Your initial drawing needs to be significantly larger than you want the final piece to be – roughly three times larger in each dimension. A design that starts out 3 inches tall might end up only 1 inch tall. Encourage kids to draw clearly with bold outlines, especially if they plan to cut close to the lines.
Step 2: Color It In
Once the design is drawn (or traced), it’s time to add color. This happens before baking. Use the appropriate coloring tools for your plastic type (permanent markers or colored pencils). Remind kids that the colors will become much darker and more intense after shrinking. Lighter shades might be preferable before baking if you don’t want the final piece to be too dark. If using frosted sheets with colored pencils, color on the rough side. If using permanent markers on clear or white sheets, apply color evenly.
Step 3: Cut Out Your Creation
Carefully cut out the colored design using scissors. Younger children might need help with intricate shapes. It’s generally best to leave a small border (maybe 1/4 inch) of clear or white plastic around the colored edge, especially for more delicate designs, as this adds strength. Rounded corners are less likely to be sharp or snag after shrinking than pointy ones. Smooth cuts are better than jagged edges.
Step 4: Punch the Hole (Crucial!)
If you’re making anything that needs to be hung – like a keychain, charm, or ornament – punch a hole before baking. Use a standard hole punch. The hole will shrink too, so a standard size punch creates a small, usable hole in the final piece. Position the hole thoughtfully, ensuring it’s not too close to the edge, leaving enough plastic around it for strength after shrinking.
Adult Supervision Required! The baking step involves a hot oven and handling hot materials. An adult must always supervise and handle the placement into and removal from the oven. Ensure the work area is well-ventilated when baking plastic.
Step 5: Bake and Watch the Magic!
Now for the most exciting part! Preheat your oven according to the Shrinky Dinks package instructions. Temperatures are often around 325°F (163°C), but always double-check your specific product’s guidelines. Place your cut-out, colored, and punched pieces onto the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a brown paper bag. Make sure the pieces aren’t touching. If using frosted sheets, typically place them rough-side (colored side) up. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven on the middle rack.
Watch closely! The shrinking process happens quickly, usually within 1 to 3 minutes. The plastic will curl up dramatically, sometimes folding over on itself (don’t panic!), and then it should flatten back out. This is the signal that it’s done. If a piece curls and sticks to itself, you might need to carefully remove it and gently unstick it while warm (use tools, not fingers!).
Step 6: Remove and Flatten (If Needed)
Using oven mitts, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. The shrunken pieces will be hot! They should be flat, but if any are slightly curled, you have a few seconds while they are still warm and pliable to flatten them. Quickly place another piece of parchment paper or cardstock over the piece and press down firmly with a flat object like a spatula or the bottom of a glass. Be careful not to smudge marker ink if it’s still slightly tacky.
Step 7: Cool and Finish
Let the Shrinky Dinks cool completely on the baking sheet for several minutes. They will harden as they cool. Once cool, they are ready! Attach keychain rings or jump rings through the punched holes. Glue magnets onto the back. String them onto necklace cords or bracelet chains. You can also add a coat of clear sealant (like Mod Podge or acrylic spray) to protect the colored surface, especially if using colored pencils, although permanent marker usually holds up well on its own.
Awesome Shrinky Dink Project Ideas
The possibilities are vast! Here are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- Keychains: The classic choice! Personalize with names, initials, favorite characters, or drawings.
- Backpack Zipper Pulls: A fun way for kids to customize their school bags.
- Jewelry Charms: Create tiny charms for necklaces, bracelets, or even funky earrings.
- Magnets: Make custom magnets for the fridge or locker by gluing a small magnet strip to the back after shrinking.
- Gift Tags: Create unique, reusable gift tags for birthdays and holidays.
- Ornaments: Perfect for making personalized Christmas tree ornaments or decorations for other holidays.
- Board Game Pieces: Design your own pawns or tokens for custom board games.
- Doll Accessories: Make tiny “plastic” food, plates, or accessories for dolls or action figures.
- Wine Glass Charms: Smaller, themed designs work great for identifying drinks at a party (maybe an adult craft night version!).
- Plant Stakes: Label herbs or plants with cute shrunken designs attached to small stakes.
Handy Tips for Shrinky Dink Success
To ensure your Shrinky Dink adventures go smoothly, keep these tips in mind:
- Read the Instructions: Different brands and types of shrink plastic can have slightly different baking times and temperatures. Always follow the specific package directions.
- Choose Colors Wisely: Remember colors intensify. Light blue becomes dark blue, pink becomes red. Test on a scrap piece if unsure.
- Sanding for Pencils: If using colored pencils on clear plastic, you might need to lightly sand the surface first with very fine sandpaper to give the pencil something to grip. Frosted sheets avoid this need.
- Watch Like a Hawk: Overbaking can cause the plastic to become brittle or even melt further. Underbaking might mean it doesn’t flatten completely. Keep your eyes on it during the short baking time.
- Ventilation is Key: Baking plastic can release fumes. Make sure your kitchen or craft area is well-ventilated while the oven is on.
- Flat is Best: Ensure your baking tray and liner are perfectly flat to encourage the pieces to flatten out correctly.
- Patience During Curling: Don’t pull pieces out prematurely just because they curl. Most will flatten on their own if left for the recommended time.
Why Kids (and Grown-Ups) Love Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks offer more than just a fun afternoon; they provide developmental benefits too:
- Boosts Creativity: From initial design to color choices, it’s all about imagination.
- Develops Fine Motor Skills: Drawing, coloring within lines, and careful cutting all help hone coordination.
- Teaches Process and Patience: Following steps, waiting for baking, and seeing the transformation teaches valuable lessons.
- Instant Gratification (Almost!): The quick baking process provides a relatively fast reward for their efforts.
- Builds Confidence: Turning their own drawing into a durable object is incredibly rewarding and boosts self-esteem.
- It’s Nostalgic Fun: Many parents remember doing this craft themselves, making it a great shared activity.
Shrinky Dinks are a truly delightful craft that bridges the gap between simple drawing and creating something tangible and lasting. The element of surprise as the plastic twists and shrinks in the oven never gets old, and the resulting hard plastic pieces are surprisingly durable. Whether you’re making personalized keychains for friends, decorating a backpack, or just enjoying the creative process, Shrinky Dinks offer a unique and satisfying crafting experience for all ages. So grab some plastic sheets, break out the markers or pencils, and get ready to watch your art magically shrink!
