The hot toy of Christmas 1974 was the humble Shrinky Dinks. I recently discovered that this nostalgic toy from my pre-teen childhood is still alive and well. But first, some history.

Shrinky Dinks got their start in Brookfield, WI, way back in 1973. It was there that Betty Morris and Kathryn Bloomberg invented the amazing shrinking craft while working on a Cub Scout project with their sons. They had read about a fun project in a magazine where you could trace, cut, and color onto plastic lids, place them in the oven and watch as they shrunk and hardened. The kids loved it, and it was a bolt of lightning moment for the pair.After working out all the manufacturing logistics, the promotional beginnings were indeed humble. Betty and Kathryn set up a small table in a suburban mall in Milwaukee. It was shopping season, and plenty of small businesses were peddling their wares in booths. On the table they placed several pieces of plastic, both large and small, and a toaster oven. When shoppers walked by, the two arranged for a demonstration. The larger bits of plastic went into the oven. Through the window, people watched them shrivel up. They emerged only a portion of their original size, as though they had been zapped with a shrink ray. Needless-to-say, Shrinky Dinks became a sensation. Here's an ad that I'm certain made me beg my mom for my own kit.
The women eventually got a distributor, Skyline, who inked a deal with Quaker to offer a specially created "Shrinky Dinks Kit" as a Self-Liquidating Cereal Premium on marked boxes of King Vitamin. How cool would that be?
The first company to sign Shrinky Dinks with an exclusive licensing agreement was Colorforms. It was a profitable partnership. Under Colorforms, this plastic toy became so popular that the toy giant Milton Bradley would purchase the rights in the late eighties, so that they could make and distribute them. Crazy to think these were popular in the 80s, too. My boys did not experience the phenomenon so it's extra special that I get to share my childhood memories with my grandchildren (I guess Shrinky Dinks skip a generation).
True Shrinky Dinks® Creative Packs are still very much available. I was gifted this knockoff kit from a fellow grandma.
Hours were spent coloring these plastic treasures. What a perfect, quiet afternoon activity.