Shrinky Dinks
Arts-and-crafts kit
title: "Shrinky Dinks" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["art-and-craft-toys", "products-introduced-in-1973", "1970s-toys", "goods-manufactured-in-the-united-states", "1980s-toys"] description: "Arts-and-crafts kit" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinky_Dinks" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Arts-and-crafts kit ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox toy"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Shrinky Dinks |
| image | Surel'sPlaceShrinkyDinksButterflies.jpg |
| caption | Butterflies created with Shrinky Dinks |
| othernames | Shrinkles |
| type | Toy and activity kit |
| inventor | Kate Bloomberg and Betty Morris |
| country | United States |
| materials | Polystyrene plastic |
| :: |
::callout[type=note]
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| name = Shrinky Dinks | image = Surel'sPlaceShrinkyDinksButterflies.jpg | image_size = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Butterflies created with Shrinky Dinks | othernames = Shrinkles | type = Toy and activity kit | inventor = Kate Bloomberg and Betty Morris | company = | country = United States | from = | to = | materials = Polystyrene plastic | features = | slogan = | website =
Shrink art, Shrinky Dinks, or Shrinkles is a craft activity set consisting of sheets of polystyrene which can be cut with standard household scissors. When heated, the cut shapes become about nine times thicker while their horizontal and vertical dimensions reduce to about one-third the original size, resulting in hard, flat forms which retain their initial color and shape. They reached the height of their popularity in the 1980s and are still available from retailers. They can be used for a variety of purposes like charms, pins and zipper pulls. Most sets are pre-printed with outline images of popular children's characters or other subjects, which are then colored in before baking.
History
Shrinky Dinks were invented in 1973 by Betty Morris and Kate Bloomberg, two housewives in Brookfield, Wisconsin, as a Cub Scout project with their sons. The first kits were sold at a local shopping mall and became very popular. Shrinky Dinks were soon licensed to be manufactured by the major toy companies of the time such as Milton Bradley, Colorforms, Western Publishing, and Skyline Toys.
Alex Brands acquired Shrinky Dinks in 2014. As of 2020, the original brand Shrinky Dinks is owned by Just Play Products.
Usage
The base material consists of thin, flexible polystyrene plastic (#6) sheets. Prior to heating, the plastic sheets can be colored with felt-tip pens, acrylic paint, or colored pencils and cut into shapes. However, oily or waxy substances (such as crayons or oil paint) are not suitable because they melt or burn in high heat. When heated with an Easy-Bake Oven, a conventional oven, or a heat gun, the plastic shrinks and becomes thicker and more rigid, while retaining the colored design.
Although Shrinky Dinks are primarily an arts and crafts item marketed for children, adult crafting buffs also use the sets for jewelry making and other projects. Blank sheets are available in bulk for this purpose.
Applications
In 2008, University of California, Irvine Professor Michelle Khine applied Shrinky Dinks to create tiny structures for the application of microfluidics to topics such as stem cell research. See also In 2022, Khine researched the use of Shrinky Dinks for microscale diagnostics and wearable biosensors for monitoring health.
In 2009, an art therapy supervision class at Emporia State University explored the use of Shrinky Dinks in art therapy. In 2014, Shrinky Dinks were presented as an art therapy medium in a workshop at the American Art Therapy Association Conference.
In 2014, a team from Harvard University and MIT used Shrinky Dinks to create self-assembling robots.
In popular culture
In 1992, the California rock band Sugar Ray formed with the name "Shrinky Dinx", but later changed it upon threat of lawsuit from the Milton Bradley Company.
References
References
- "Shrinky Dinks - Gelfand Center".
- Doris Hajewski, "[http://www.jsonline.com/business/33422804.html Shrinky Dinks founder hopes to sell toy business]", ''The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'', Oct. 27, 2008.
- "ALEX BRANDS® Acquires Shrinky Dinks®".
- "Just Play Acquires the Slinky and Shrinky Dinks Brands | License Global".
- Ceceri, Kathy. (2008-05-23). "Shrinky Dink Science Creates Tiny Dark Evil Creatures".
- Oland, Dana. (2015-05-08). "Shrinky Dinks becomes a serious art medium. Who knew?".
- Stephanie DeMarco, Ph.d, "[https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/shrinking-toys-inspire-diagnostics-and-wearable-sensors-of-the-future-15401 Shrinking Toys Inspire Diagnostics of the Future]", ''Drug Discovery News'', May 8, 2022.
- Wolf Bordonaro, G.; Blake, A.; Corrington, D.; Fanders, T.; & Morley, L. (2009). Exploring media processes and products: Rediscovering Shrinky Dinks. ''Arts and Activities''. June 2009.
- Wolf Bordonaro, G.; Stallings, J.; Miller, K.; Schreiner, L. (2014). Trailblazing with non-traditional media: The use of shrinky dinks in art therapy. American Art Therapy Association Conference 45th Annual Conference.
- Anthony, Sebastian. (8 August 2014). "Harvard & MIT create first self-assembling robots".
- Huey, Steve. "Sugar Ray - Biography". Allmusic.com.
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