How to Make a Shrinky Dink Pumpkin

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are great because you can make them for Halloween or you can make them for Thanksgiving. Kids also love pumpkins because they can draw on the pumpkins, paint the pumpkins, cut faces in the pumpkins and even bake the pumpkin seeds. This craft teaches children how to have fun with pumpkins in another way. A shrinky dink allows you to make a large pumpkin and then shrink it to a small one.

Things You'll Need

• Shrinky Dink sheets
• Pencil crayons
• Scissors
• Oven
• Cookie sheet

Instructions

1. Go to your local craft store and buy a package of Shrinky Dink sheets. If they don't have any, you can buy them from the original makers of Shrinky Dink. The link for the website is listed below for your convenience.

2. Pull out a Shrinky Dink sheet rough side up. Lay the smooth side against your workspace area.

3. Get out an orange pencil crayon and draw an outline of a pumpkin. If you are not sure how to draw a pumpkin you can place a picture of a pumpkin under your Shrinky Dink paper and then trace the edges. The paper is clear, so you will be able to trace the pumpkin just fine.

4. Color the pumpkin in with your pencil crayons. Add some lines and a stem to make it look more realistic. If you want, you can make your pumpkin a Jack-O-Lantern by drawing a cut-out face. You can color the cut-out face yellow to show the candle light coming through or you can leave it dark to make it scary.

5. Cut out the pumpkin with your scissors. Make sure you leave a clear space all the way around. This allows some room for the shrinkage.

6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

7. Place the Shrinky Dink with the colored side up on the cookie sheet.

8. Place the Shrinky Dink pumpkin in the oven for 60 seconds and remove.

9. Allow to cool and then use.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a hole puncher to punch a hole in the bat. Slide a string through the hole and wear it as a necklace or hang it from the window.

• Place a magnet strip on the back of the bat and stick on the refrigerator.

• Keep a close eye on the bat in the oven. It can burn in a matter of seconds.

• Only the adults should handle the oven.

Resources

• Shrinky Dink Store