Make DIY Charms w/ Jr Mod Tigerlily9
Make colorful DIY charms with beads, shrink plastic, and safe basic tools, following Jr Mod Tigerlily9's simple steps to design and assemble keepsakes.
About this activity
Make colorful DIY charms with beads, shrink plastic, and safe basic tools, following Jr Mod Tigerlily9's simple steps to design and assemble keepsakes.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and set them on a clean flat workspace.
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Step 2
Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
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Step 3
Draw your design on the rough side of a shrink plastic sheet using a pencil.
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Step 4
Colour your drawing with your colouring materials to make it bright and fun.
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Step 5
Cut out the coloured design carefully leaving a small border around the shape.
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Step 6
Punch a small hole near the top of your cut-out so you can hang it later.
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Step 7
Put a sheet of parchment paper on the baking tray and place your cut-outs on it spaced apart.
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Step 8
Ask an adult to put the tray in the oven and watch until each piece curls and then flattens again about 2 to 3 minutes.
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Step 9
Ask the adult to remove the tray and let the charms cool completely on the tray.
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Step 10
Brush a thin layer of clear sealer or clear nail polish on both sides of the cooled charms and let them dry.
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Step 11
Cut a length of cord about as long as you want your necklace or keychain to be.
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Step 12
Slide the cooled charm onto the cord through the hole you made.
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Step 13
Thread beads onto the cord and tie a secure knot to hold the charm and beads in place.
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Step 14
Share your finished DIY charm creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make DIY charms with Jr Mod Tigerlily9?
To make DIY charms with Jr Mod Tigerlily9, sketch a design on shrink plastic and color it with permanent markers or colored pencils. Cut out the shape and punch a small hole for a jump ring. Bake on a lined tray following the shrink-plastic directions until pieces flatten and harden. Let cool, then use jump rings, beads, and pliers to attach charms to cords or keychains. Seal optionally for extra shine.
What materials do I need for Make DIY Charms with Jr Mod Tigerlily9?
You’ll need shrink plastic sheets, permanent markers or colored pencils, scissors, a small hole punch, an oven or toaster oven, a baking tray with parchment, jump rings and needle-nose pliers, beads, cord or keychain hardware, and a clear sealer. Optional items: sanding paper, stickers, alphabet stamps, and heat-resistant gloves. Choose non-toxic, child-safe supplies and a wipeable workspace.
What ages is this DIY charms activity suitable for?
This craft suits children about 6 and up with adult supervision because baking and small parts are involved. Kids 8–12 can handle more steps independently with guidance. Preschoolers (3–5) can still participate by sorting beads, choosing colors, or decorating pre-cut shapes. Match tasks to fine motor skills and always supervise oven use and any handling of tiny pieces.
What safety precautions should I follow when making DIY charms?
Always supervise children near ovens, scissors, and small beads. Use non-toxic markers and low-odor sealants, and punch holes before baking to avoid re-drilling. Bake on a protected tray, use oven mitts, and let pieces cool fully. Keep tiny beads away from children under three due to choking risk. Teach safe tool use, store supplies out of reach, and work in a well-ventilated area.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have shrink plastic or parchment paper?
If you can't find shrink plastic sheets, make charms from oven-bake polymer clay shaped and baked per package instructions instead of preheating the oven to 325°F for shrink plastic, and use a silicone baking mat or a lightly greased baking tray if you don't have parchment paper.
What should I do if my cut-outs stay curled or the hole closes after baking?
Have an adult watch the pieces 'until each piece curls and then flattens again about 2 to 3 minutes,' remove the tray as soon as they flatten, press each warm charm flat under a heatproof book on the parchment, and make the punched hole slightly larger before baking so it doesn't shrink closed.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, have an adult pre-cut shapes and handle the oven steps while the child colors and threads beads, and for older kids try finer drawings with permanent markers, add layered shrink-plastic pieces, and finish with jump rings and pliers when attaching to cord.
How can we personalize or improve the finished charms?
After brushing clear sealer or clear nail polish on the cooled charms as instructed, personalize by sanding edges, adding a second smaller shrink-plastic layer before baking for a raised design, or attach a metal split ring and clasp to the cord to make a professional keychain before sharing on DIY.org.