Shrinky Dink Crafts 10: Letters and Numbers for Preschool Through Kindergarten

Take some time before the craft to review the alphabet and numbers up to 20. Have each child list a word that starts with the letter that you call aloud. For example, A stands for apple. C stands for cat.

Tell the children that they are going to practice writing letters and numbers in a fun and unique way. Tell them they are going to get to draw the letters and numbers very large, and then watch them shrink very small.

You will need these items to make letter and number shrinky dinks:

1. • Shrinky dink sheets
   • Cookie sheets
   • Oven
2. Pencil crayons
3. Scissors

Follow the directions below to create your letter and number shrinky dinks:

1. Go to the Shrinky Dink website and purchase some packages of shrinky dinks. These packages cost between $3-$5, so that they are very affordable. Not all craft stores sell the Shrinky Dink sheets, so call ahead and ask.
2. Hand each child a shrinky dink sheet and ask them to feel both sides of the paper. They should be able to tell you that one side is rough and one side is smooth. Show them how to put the smooth side against their desk with the rough side facing up. Tell them that they are going to draw on the rough side.
3. Have each child pick a letter or a number that they want to write. If they choose letter A, then they can also draw an apple next to the letter. If they chose a number, such as three, then they could add three cowboy hats. Let them be creative, but keep them on task. They can fit five letters or numbers onto one sheet of shrinky dink paper.
4. Have the children spend some time coloring in their letters and numbers.
5. Help the children cut out their letters and numbers. Make sure they leave a clear edge all the way around their picture. This helps to compensate for the shrinking.
6. Have the children place their letters and numbers on the baking sheet with the colored side up.
7. Go to the school's kitchen and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
8. The adult should place the cookie sheets in the oven for sixty seconds and remove them.
9. Let the letter and number shrinky dinks cool for at least ten minutes.
10. Give each student the letter and number creations to share with their family.