Inside: Shrinky dink ideas that will inspire you to rediscover this supercool retro craft.
There are a lot of firsts in life that become embedded into memory. Bizarrely, one that sticks is my first encounter with Shrinky Dinks.
It was the 70s (before computers, tablets and mobile phones); we were visiting relatives, and the adults wanted the kids out of the way whilst they talked and drank. So they used a pack of Shrinky Dink sheets to keep us entertained.
The plastics’ magical shrinking superpower had me hooked!
It worked; we spent hours colouring, cutting, and generally keeping out of the grown-up’s way.
My love for shrink plastic crafts never shrank!
I’ve wowed my kids with the craft. And I can’t wait to share it again with future grandkids (if I have any).
Shrinky dinks come in sheets that are white, clear and frosted. Print or hand colour them with paints, pencils and inks. Put them into the oven in a low-temperature oven for a couple of minutes, or use a heat gun to shrink them.
For a more eco-friendly version of the craft, repurpose leftover plastic food containers (look for the recycle triangle #6). Cookie and takeaway salad containers are normally the right plastics to use.
The Shrinky Dink ideas get better and better; it’s not a craft just for kids. There are so many funky things to make with the sheets as an adult, from unique homemade jewellery to cute ring bowls, stylish napkin rings and mini terrariums.
The Best Shrinky Dink Ideas
Unique Shrinky dink ideas that you wouldn't have thought of before. Many would make great handmade gifts or are suitable for craft fairs. If you want a modern twist on this retro craft, this list is full of fun and stylish ideas.
Butterfly Brooch Tutorial
I bet it was fun hand colouring these butterflies to make beautiful brooches. There are some Art Nouveau butterfly illustrations here that would work well with this craft.
Designer Shrinky Dink Earrings
Three cool earring designs to choose from, from Marimekko flowers to angel wings.
Travel Themed Magnetic Pins
These travel-themed magnetic pins were designed to go with a map pin board.
Bird Earrings Tutorial
I like the added beads with these earrings as well as the gorgeous bird illustrations.
Make An Incredible Shrinking Mitten Garland
I'd love to string a garland of these pretty mittens around my Christmas tree or along the mantle. They would also make adorable gift toppers.
Shrink Pastic Terrarium
This is such a clever and unique way to use shrink plastic to make a mini terrarium.
Shrink Plastic Ring Bowls
These little ring bowls show that Shrink Dink crafts are for adults too! They have a stylish Marimekko look about them.
DIY Christmas Garland With Lights
Cookie cutters were used to get the Christmas shapes for these lights.
Statement necklace tutorial
A very stylish shrinky dink idea, such a cool-looking necklace!
Shrinky Dink Name Tags
A fun free set of name tags to print and shrink.
DIY Shrinky Dink Conversation Heart Keychains
A fun handmade gift idea for a loved one. You can always add your own quirky sayings.
Valentine's Hand Broach
A really cool shrinky dink idea, I love the way she got the fingers to curl. I'd like to use this technique to make plastic pointy hands.
Coloring Book Jewelry
What a creative way to make jewellery, using colouring book images and shrink film?
Vintage Christmas Postcard Shrinky Dinks Ornaments
There is a collection of free vintage Scandinavian Jenny Nystrom Christmas cards that would look fabulous with this craft.
Love my STATE or USA DIY Jewelry!
Make a personal jewellery pendant by creating a shrink of your country or state. If you want a more colourful version just add the appropriate flag.
DIY Handprint Keychain
I have a picture of my kid's handprints on my bathroom wall, but I love the idea of a keychain. This would make a great fathers day gift.
Make Your Own Shrinky Dink Dog Tag
With shrink plastic, make a cute colourful name tag for your dog.
Shrinky Dink Butterfly Necklace DIY
Use Shrinky dink butterflies in a fun and creative way.
DIY Shrinky Dink Emoji Pins
Emojis are constantly changing, just check your phone to get your latest and most favourite emoji and then turn them into pin badges with the help of shrink plastic.
{Father's Day Gift Idea} Shrink Film Cufflinks
Turn your kid's drawings and scribbles into a pair of cute cuff links.
Shrinky-Dink Photo Keychains
Have a daily reminder of your special day with one of these photo keychains.
Custom Photo Shrinky Dink Keychain
Learn how to manipulate photos online before tracing them to make these adorable outline keychains.
St. Patrick’s Day Necklaces DIY and Irish Pins
A fun craft for those that celebrate St Patric's Day.
Shrinky Dink Initial Key Chain Project
Make a colourful rainbow monogrammed keychain.
Super Stylish Halloween Shrinky Dink Printables
There must be a shrinky dink idea for all the holidays including Halloween.
DIY Shrink Plastic Snowflake Ornaments
These aren't ordinary snowflakes they have been decorated with rose gold.
Wildflower Rings
More beautiful jewellery with these pretty floral rings.
Printable Ring Dishes
I love the botanical feel to these ring dishes, the acorn is my favourite.
Shrinky Polka Dot Necklace Tutorial & Printable
It would be easy to make this pretty necklace in any colour you wanted.
Calligraphy Shrink Plastic Tags
A lovely idea for the Christmas table is to personalize place settings.
Holiday Bookmark Craft
How about making these for a Christmas teacher's gift?
Shrinkable Cake Topper Decor
Cake toppers are an easy way to decorate cakes and you can make your own with Shrinkies.
Shrinky Dinks Wine Charm Tutorial
We're big fans of wine charms in this house. It stops people from accidentally drinking your wine instead of theirs.
Cactus Shrinky Dinks Lights
These look fun to make and are an excellent decoration for a summer party. They can also be made into necklaces like with these crafted cacti.
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Vintage Floral Statement Necklace...
Use the beautiful vintage rose illustrations from Pictureboxblue to make one of these pretty necklaces.
Shrink Plastic buttons
If you can't find the right buttons for your sewing projects, then make your own out of shrink plastic.
DIY Quilting Tools Sewing Ornament
The ornament would make a lovely gift for any seamstress or crafter.
Shrink Film Keepsake Keychain
Any mum or grandma would love to receive one of these personalised keepsake keychains for her birthday or mothers day.
DIY Flower Blossom Ring
It's hard to believe that these pretty flower blossom rings are made with shrink plastic.
Shrinky Dink Donut Charm Bracelet
Shrinky dinks are perfect for making bracelet charms; these doughnut ones are fun.
3-Step Personalized Mini Photo Magnets
Use any photo you like to make these cute mini photo magnets for the fridge.
DIY Cameo Necklaces (made with Shrinky Dinks!)
This is for superhero fans, making cameo charms of their favourite superhero logo.
Check out many more cool adult craft ideas and a comprehensive list of the types of crafts you can do at home, including these easy air dry clay ideas and plastic bottle crafts.
LydiaF
Wednesday 24th of August 2022
This is a great collection! Love the wine charms and the jewelry bowls especially. They'd make awesome gifts. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg :)
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 25th of August 2022
Thank you, yes there are a lot of fun things you can make with Shrinky Dinks.
Cecilia
Wednesday 17th of August 2022
WOW! What a fun collection of projects! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Dylanse
Friday 11th of August 2023
@Cecilia, I love strinky dinks Dylanse
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 18th of August 2022
Thank you, Shrinky Dinks are such fun!