Heat-shrink crafts have been around for a long time, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Starting with a single sheet of clear plastic, some markers, and a dash of creativity, youngsters of all ages can create glass-like jewelry pieces, one-of-a-kind keychains, and anything in between. Magically shrinking to a tiny size, each drawing becomes something else entirely when placed in an oven. These kits have provided a sense of wonder for decades, helping generations of kids find their creative footing as they develop their fine motor skills. And although many blasts from the past should have stayed there, we're thrilled that these have made the cut and have stuck around. Here are some of our current favorite kits. Shrinky Dinks Crystal Clear Creative Pack A blank slate This ten-pack of completely clear sheets offers endless possibilities for creative kiddos.Best OverallFind on Amazon Including ten clear plastic sheets, this package of Shrinky Dinks means you can color, bake, and shrink whatever it is your creative heart desires. Ideal for children five years and over, Shrinky Dinks are fun for adults too, making this an engaging arts and crafts project for the whole family. And while it can be fun to color in pre-made designs, the beauty of the clear sheet is that the final product is entirely original. For a budding artist, this creates a sense of ownership and pride that’ll translate beyond the page. Pros: Includes ten clear sheets Ideal for creating original jewelry, charms, and trinkets Can be used to trace if desired Cons: Only includes ten sheets The sheets tend to scratch easily, leaving behind marks if you’re not careful Auihiay Heat Shrink Sheets The ultimate kitThis kit is the perfect way to get everything you need for heat-shrink magic.Best KitFind on Amazon Whether you’re new to the sheer fun of heat-shrink crafting or you’re a seasoned pro, a complete kit will go a long way. Including blank sheets, colored pencils, keychains, jewelry accessories, and a hole punch, there’s just about everything you need here to get started on creating heat shrink masterpieces. The plastic sheets themselves are high quality, with a double-sided look — one side is frosted and the other is glossy, creating a unique semi-transparent effect. This results in durable creations that’ll hold up under heavy use, ideal for keychain gifts and fun, unique jewelry. Pros: Includes everything needed for creating heat shrink designs Wide range of accessory pieces for multiple rounds of heat shrink fun Includes twelve vibrant pencils Cons: Although semi-transparent, the frosted side does make tracing a bit more time consuming We wish there were a few completely clear sheets included in this kit Dabit Shrink Fun Paper Shrink Sheets Just add colorThese guided crafts give kids the ability to personalize beautiful pre-traced designs.Best TraceablesFind on Amazon Including not only a pack of twenty transparent shrink sheets but also key chains and traceable pictures, this is an excellent option for creating both original shrink artwork as well as pre-designed tracings. With each creation shrinking to a third of the original design — and becoming nine times thicker — we love this option for creating keychain keepsakes for parents or grandparents. Best for children four years and up, this kit is excellent for fine motor development. The more intricate details also encourage creative color work, too. Pros: Includes a variety of fun traceable pictures Includes durable keychain accessories Blank sheets for creating original, custom shrink work Cons: Some markers streak on this plastic The plain sheets are most compatible for simple shapes and cuts Shrinky Dinks Shrink and Wear Jewelry Colorful custom jewelry This kit provides all the tools necessary to create colorful, unique jewelry. Best For Jewelry Find on Amazon For youngsters who love to make things with their hands, this jewelry craft box is loads of fun. In fact, this set includes 42 Shrinky Dinks pieces, from pendant necklaces to bracelets to earrings and more. Each pre-made design is intricate, ideal for older kiddos who have the fine motor skills to complete these heat-shrink masterpieces. Other essential items included in this set are colored pencils, adhesive dots, beads, earrings, barrettes, and elastic string for creating bracelets, anklets, and necklaces. Pros: Intricate design work creates impressive final pieces Includes colored pencils specifically designed to work with these sheets Ideal option for older kids Cons: We wish the elastic were a bit more durable The hoop earrings aren’t the most sturdy — it’s best to use your own earring hoop Shrinky Dinks 3D Butterfly Lights The butterfly effectThis kit had us at "twinkle lights."Best EffectsFind on Amazon Light up your little one’s life with this DIY 3D butterfly light kit. With a flat heat-shrink paper and a butterfly silicone mold, your youngster can create a magical strand of fairy lights for their room or cozy nook. Including everything but the batteries, this set comes with a strand of 10 LED lights, the butterfly mold, vibrant pencils, pre-cut and pre-printed butterflies, and glue dots. All of this is in one single neat package, making it an ideal gift for a capable, determined youngster. Pros: Set includes a few extras Great hands-on craft project for one-on-one time Excellent gift set Cons: Best for older kids with more advanced fine motor skills It’s best to use a glue gun for attaching butterflies to the lights Frequently Asked Questions What exactly are heat-shrink crafts? Essentially a plastic sheet that shrinks in the oven, heat-shrink crafts have been around for decades. They can be used to make everything from keychains to earrings to stained glass-like artwork for the windows and so much more. What’s the best age for heat-shrink crafts? These unique crafts are excellent for developing fine motor skills and are appropriate for children as young as three years old. Some kits include plain sheets, while others are more intricate and require detailed coloring and cutting. While these more detailed sets are typically appropriate for older children, heat-shrink crafts are a fantastic project to do as a family, so the intricate sets don’t necessarily need to be set aside for older children. Typically, heat-shrink crafts on their own are best for children ages six and up. Related posts: The Best Cooking Supplies for Kids The Best Fuse Bead Kits for Kids The Best Sewing Kits for Kids