Who loves a good DIY Shrinky Dink project? I’m going to share with you one of my favorite childhood crafting memories so you can make your own shrinky dink at home. The melting of the plastic always mesmerized me. However, this project has a little twist in the craft supply list. Let’s explore creating shrinky dinks from plastic food containers.
We’ll be using plastic leftover To-Go containers to create DIY shrinky dinks. Do you have a few of those lying around?
….I DO !! My friends call me the “leftover Queen”!!
Wondering what Shrinky Dinks are? Let’s get you caught up with some craft fun and complete your childhood, shall we? LOL
Shrinky Dinks were a big deal in the ’80s but were invited in 1973. Kits came with pre-printed coloring sheets of your favorite characters and a set of colored markers.
You would decorate and personalize them, cut them out, and have your parents pop them into the oven and watch them magically shrink down to these tiny thick plastic charms. (hence the name Shrinky Dinks)
How much fun is that??
Okay, so when I heard I could create a shrinky dink out of my plastic leftover containers. I must admit I was more excited than an adult should be. It brought back so many of my childhood memories like Mork and Mindy and their wild outfits, Care Bears, Rainbow bright, and just a simple coloring book. You know the simple times when your mom told you to go outside to play? You didn’t want to come home until dark and she had no idea where you had been all day! Ah.. truly living your best life !!
Okay, back to this post.. hahah .. Let’s get started making your own shrinky dinks to share a special moment with your kids.
NOTE: Recommended for children 5 years of age and older. Adult supervision is required during the baking process.
Okay, Let’s take a moment and make sure we get the right plastic for the project. Shrinky Dinks can be made from #6 plastic. Which is used in plastic To Go containers for salads or lids for pans made out of aluminum. This is the type of plastic we’ll use for this project.
#6 plastic is actually quite difficult to recycle, so reusing it for a project like this is a great way to keep it out of landfills!
Okay, Now you’ve created your very own Shrinky Dink. Did you have fun? What are you going to do with them?
I used mine as a Christmas gift tag that could easily be a shrinky dinks Christmas ornaments, but they can be used for so many different things. I have a bunch of shrinky-dink ideas for Christmas gifts. I would like to make ornaments, luggage tags, sun catchers, and jewelry ( earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc..) What about you?
I hope you enjoy making amazing shrinky dinks from plastic food containers!
I would love to see what you make!! Be sure to post a picture on my Facebook page on any post! Be sure to Pin this for later and follow for more DIY Inspiration!
The best substitute for shrinky dink plastic is #6 plastic often found in to-go containers.
I enjoy using Chalk Couture stencils and Chalk Couture ink.
You will need to use plastic stamped with #6 to make shrinky dinks at home.
Place the color design facing upwards while cooking the shrinky dinks in the oven.
I would recommend using #6 as there are some safety concerns with using #5 plastics for this DIY kids craft.
