DIY Shrinky Dinks Craft

Upcycle your #6 plastic containers into earrings and other fun creations

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Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Let's face it: Earth Day should be every day, but since we've designated a special day to remind us of our planet's fragility, why not celebrate with a craft that turns trash into treasure? Enter the DIY Shrinky Dinks earrings, made from recycled #6 plastic containers. These earrings are not just cute with their sunny yellow smiley faces, but they also celebrate sustainability and our continual effort to repurpose materials.

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So grab your recycled plastics and a few Sharpies — we're about to shrink our way into eco-friendly fashion.

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Video of the Day

Things You'll Need

  • Clear plastic containers (with #6 recycling symbol)

  • Scissors

  • Permanent markers (preferably Sharpie brand)

  • Hole punch

  • Parchment paper

  • Earring jump rings & hooks

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Tip

Ensure your work area is well-ventilated. Shrinking plastic is fun, but let's keep it safe.

1. Find #6 plastic

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Start your eco-crafting adventure by hunting for #6 plastic, marked with a "6" inside the recycling symbol. These gems, often found as clear tops on foil pans and many clamshell food containers, are perfect because they shrink just right when heated. Other plastics won't do the trick and might not be safe to heat.

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Tip

Ensure your work area is well-ventilated. Shrinking plastic is fun, but let's keep it safe.

2. Cut out your "canvas"

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Cut the plastic into flat sheets, then into smaller shapes for your earrings. For your smiley faces, circles work best. Aim for about 4 inches in diameter; they'll shrink down to about 1.5 inches.

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Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

3. Draw your design

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Sketch a smiley face on each plastic piece with your markers. Feel free to personalize your smiles; after all, every smile is unique, just like these earrings.

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Image Credit: Kalia Phillips
Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Be as create as you'd like with your design — it doesn't have to be a smiley face!

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Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

4. Cut out the design

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Cut out your smiley faces or other design with scissors.

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5. Punch holes

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Before you bake, punch a hole at the top of each smiley face. This is where you'll attach the earring hook later, so make sure it's big enough to work with since the hole will shrink along with the entire object.

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Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

6. Preheat the oven

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Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the smiley faces onto the paper.

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7. Watch 'em shrink!

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Slide the pan into the oven, and watch the magic happen: Your creations will curl, twist, and ultimately flatten back down. This takes about 1 to 2 minutes — keep an eye on them the whole time. They'll shrink to about one-third of their original size. Pull the pan from the oven as soon as you like how they look.

8. Let 'em cool

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Let the earrings cool for a few minutes before handling them. They'll be hot!

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9. Add earring hardware

Attach a jump ring through the hole you punched earlier, then connect it to the earring hook. Repeat for the second earring.

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

Voila!‌ You've just made yourself a pair of eco-friendly, adorable earrings, perfect for Earth Day — or any day, really.

Image Credit: Kalia Phillips
Image Credit: Kalia Phillips

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

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