by Loni Stel

Created on: October 31, 2010

Making shrink dink paper from recycled plastic can be a fun thing to do if you use the correct plastic.  First you "have" to find #6 plastic.  You look for the small triangle on plastic and in the middle of it is a number.  The most common numbers are lower.  However I have found that #6 are many times on Chinese take-out containers and plastic beverage lids.  You do NOT want to use any other numbers because it is way too thin and can burn or start a fire.  Certainly, not worth that risk!  Hold up your plastic piece to the light to make sure you can fully read the number.

So once you have found the correct plastic it's easy from here!  First cut out a flat piece of the plastic.  Remember this is going to shrink about 75% so start out with it big enough. You will learn in time with what you are doing what size you need to start out with to have the right finished size. Using a permanent marker draw a picture or trace something from a coloring book.  You can also make name tags, ornaments or simple outlines of shapes such as hearts.  Color the pictures with colored permanent markers.  You may want to cut more down or around the shape.  If you are wanting to use this for a name tag or ornament, use a tough hole puncher, or sharp object to make a hole for string through later.

I like to do these in the toaster oven.  It does not require so much time preheating and I prefer to melt these in an outside porch because of the smell of melting plastic and so we are not breathing the fume smell.  I put the plastic pieces on aluminum foil on a tray and put in a preheated toaster oven of 350 degrees for ONLY 30 seconds to 1 minute. WATCH IT CLOSELY!  The plastic pieces will curl but they flatten right out when they have shrunk completely.  Remove from the toaster oven but do not touch the plastic pieces for several minutes until they have cooled and can be handled.  Be careful!  These are very hot and you can get burned.  This is something that children should never do unsupervised.

Once you get the hang of this, it's just the beginning of lots of creativity, for Christmas ornaments, key chain tags, birthday presents, and window charms!  Kids love being creative with this.  Moms get to play with their kids!

Learn more about this author, Loni Stel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.