Halloween Shrinky Dink Patterns-Little Sprouts Learning

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Halloween is just around the corner and we have some really fun Halloween shrinky dink patterns to share with you. You can even make your own DIY shrinky dink material out of take-out containers you might already have.

assorted halloween shrinky dinks kid made

DIY shrinky dinks

You can use these patterns to make necklaces, charm bracelets, keychains and more. And in case you don’t know what shrinky dinks are, they are plastic sheets that you decorate and then they shrink down in the oven when you heat them. I had a blast making them as a kid and I still love doing it. They shrink to about 1/3 of their original size. And it’s oodles of fun!

For more Halloween ideas for young kids, check this out. And for more holiday ideas for daycare, check this out. And if you want to participate in the teal pumpkin project and include more kids in the fun, check this out.

For more ideas on homemade art supplies you can make from what you have, check this post out.

Materials:

blank shrinky dink material (get the pre sanded that are opaque and ready to go so you won’t have to sand the clear ones or make your own like it shows above in the DIY tutorial link)
something to color them with. Find out the best colors to use on shrinky dinks here.
scissors
hole punch
cookie sheet or aluminum foil pie plate
something to string your shrinky dinks on, keychains, chains, etc.

Can you use colored pencils on shrinky dinks?

You absolutely can! To see which mediums work best on your shrinky dinks, check out the highlighted link above.

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Print the template on PAPER.
Position the shrinky dink plastic over your design with the rough side facing up.
Trace the image with a black marker, colored pencil, or twisty crayon
Color the image.
Cut out the shrinky dink.
Punch a hole in the top. (Make sure to do this step BEFORE baking!)
Place the shrinky dink on a pan with the rough side still facing up.
Put it in the oven and watch! It will curl up and then flatten out. Once it flattens, wait 30 seconds and then take it out.
Let cool for 10 minutes or more.

You can use parchment paper to protect your pans from any kind of contamination. You can also place a piece over the top to help the curled up pieces not stick together. If any edges touch and fuse together, don’t panic, just pull them out, loosen with a spatula and press flat and then put them back in the oven. They can usually be saved this way.

Next, grab some pliers and open your jump ring or keyring and slide the cooled shrinky dink on whatever you’re making and voila! A work of art!