How to Make Croc Charms: 4 Easy DIY Jibbitz

Watch through the oven window with the oven light on to watch as the heart curls up and then flattens out (this is my kids' favorite part!) Then you will pop it in the oven for just a few minutes, watch it curl, shrink, then flatten out to create a distinctive tag in a great looking pattern. Keep an eye on it the entire time- if it starts to curl up, use a spatula to flatten it. At this temperature, the plastic will start to curl up and then gradually uncurl and flatten out. Kids and adults love watching their designs curl, twist, and flatten in the oven, turning a simple drawing into a sturdy keepsake in just minutes. Pop it in the microwave for a few minutes, watch it shrink, curl, and then flatten out with gentle motion to create a distinctive tag in a beautiful pattern.

Step 2: Cut and Punch Holes

Take them shrinky dink art out when they are pretty much flat. You can leave a space in the unpainted part to put a hole in case you don’t want to put a hole in your image. But if you are kiddos are little, you might just want to do colored pencils for mess sake!

Download the Back to School Shrinky Dinks traceable Templates

Then select the Print Then Cut version, and click “Upload.” You can double-check the outline version to ensure all the cut areas are in the right place. Next, you can use the tools on the left to remove the background from your image if needed.

Heart Keychain

Heidi uses a Cricut to make the butterfly shape, but if you have a sticker or decal in a shape you love, then you could use that instead. I love crafts that create a toy or something you can play with. This is such a cute way for your child to make their own necklace or bracelet with their favorite character on.

Why Shrinky Dinks Are Perfect for Kids

• Before placing your shrinky dinks in the oven, double-check that you're happy with your design.
• It’s best to use fairly light shades of pencils, as any colour you use will darken when you shrink the image.
• You can resize the text by clicking on the letter and selecting one of the corner white boxes surrounding the letter with your mouse.
• Super skinny or small details may not work well because they can curl and stick when melting.

Lastly, follow the instructions on your Shrinky Dinks for cooking your ornaments. But, after a few, I started helping him press his hand on the ornament to get more obvious handprints. I’m a follower of Jesus, a mom to 4 kids, a kitchen mess-maker extraordinaire and a person who thrives in Chaos. This fire flame was double punched and it made the perfect size to place a ball bead key chain through.

Get On The List!

These little crafts start with a simple sheet of plastic paper that “magically” shrinks up and hardens in the oven, resulting in cute pocket-sized treasures! So, gather your supplies, unleash your imagination, and start creating your own miniature masterpieces! With some care and creativity, you can craft beautiful shrinky dink keychains that stand out and make perfect gifts or accessories.

For more great eco-friendly projects for kids (or anyone!), check out these 10 Fun Crafts You Can Make Out of Trash.

Bake at 325°F for 1-2 minutes, watching the pieces as they bake on parchment paper. You want to be able to watch the pieces bake as they will curl, and then uncurl when they are done baking. You don’t have to use an ink jet printer—you can simply draw on it with felt-tip pens or colored pencils. Later, large toy companies including Milton Bradley created kits and other products for commercial sale. Shrinky Dinks were invented by Betty Morris and Kate Bloomberg, two mothers who created the craft as a project with their sons for Cub Scouts.

I used Sharpie markers to trace and colored pencils to color. If they are still really curled and they won’t press down, you can put them back in the oven to bake a little longer. Kids will love seeing their handprint shrink and this makes a perfect keepsake gift for Mother’s Day too! ‌ You've just made yourself a pair of eco-friendly, adorable earrings, perfect for Earth Day — or any day, really. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the smiley faces onto the paper.