Daily STREAM Activity: Shrinky Dinks

Watch your designs transform before your eyes!

Activity best for children age 3 and up

Make your own Shrinky Dinks! Discover how heat can affect the shape and structure of plastic,  and have a blast drawing your favorite designs and watching them shrink!

Materials you’ll need:

#6 plastic from your recycle bin. Look for the recycling symbol with the number “6” on the plastic. Most disposable plates, cups, meat trays, egg cartons, and carry-out containers are #6.

Permanent markers

Hole punch

Scissors

Tin foil or parchment paper

Cookie sheet

Directions

STEP 1
Cut the #6 plastic into smaller pieces of your desired shape (between 2-3 inches).

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STEP 2
Draw your designs in permanent marker on the plastic. Be creative and have fun!

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STEP 3
Set your oven to 350 degrees and place your colored pieces of plastic onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place them in the oven for 2-3 minutes.

*After about a minute, they will curl up but don’t worry, they will flatten out again!

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STEP 4
Pull the cookie sheet out of the oven and let them cool for about 5 – 10 minutes.

TADA! You have created your own Shrinky Dinks!

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Blog post by Gabby, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum Volunteer