Things You'll Need:
- Plastic disposable food container, with number 5 recycling symbol
- Permanent markers in bright/dark colors
- Single hole punch
- Chain (optional)
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
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Step 1
Obtain a plastic container with a number 5 in the recycling symbol on the bottom. Takeout food containers, salad bar containers and strawberry containers from the grocery store are usually the right kind.
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Step 2
Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
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Step 3
Clean the container. Cut out a piece of plastic at least double the size you would like the final piece to be. If you want to make a necklace, bracelet or ID tag with your Shrinky Dink, use a single hole punch to put holes in the plastic. Make a least three holes with a single hole punch, all touching each other, to make one big hole. This will ensure that the hole will be big enough for a chain once the plastic shrinks.
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Step 4
Using permanent markers in dark/bright colors, draw or write your design on one side of the plastic.
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Step 5
Using aluminum foil, make a small tray for the piece of plastic by folding up the sides. You could also line a small baking pan with the foil. Place your Shrinky Dink picture with the writing side up on the foil and put it in the oven.
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Step 6
Put the oven light on and keep an eye on the plastic as it shrinks before your eyes. Check it every couple of minutes and it should be done in less than 10 minutes. It's done when it is at least half to one-third the original size and the plastic is no longer curled. Take it out of the oven and add a chain if you wish.
