Glossy Mermaid Keychain Craft (without shrink plastic or resin)

May 20, 2026 May 20, 2026 by Ayelet Keshet in , ,
Make glossy DIY mermaid keychains with printable templates and simple craft supplies. This cute mermaid craft for kids and tweens creates shiny little charms without shrink plastic, resin, a laminator, or an oven.

Let’s make a cute DIY mermaid keychain! I’ve created an easy mermaid keychain craft that’s perfect for kids and tweens. The craft includes free printable templates for the kawaii mermaid and the seashell, along with a step-by-step tutorial for turning them into glossy little charms.

For this mermaid craft you don’t need shrink plastic, resin, or a laminator. We’ll use simple materials and keep the process easy and kid-friendly.

The finished mermaid keychain looks adorable clipped onto a backpack as a shiny bag charm. It’s a fun summer craft and a cute idea for MerMay too.

You’ll find the list of supplies and the step-by-step instructions below.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Make glossy DIY mermaid keychains with printable templates and simple craft supplies. This cute mermaid craft for kids and tweens creates shiny little charms without shrink plastic, resin, a laminator, or an oven.

Make a Glossy DIY Mermaid Keychain

What You’ll Need*:

*Includes Amazon affiliate links

Instructions:

1. Print out the mermaid keychain template on white cardstock. Regular printer paper works too, but cardstock helps create the firm acrylic charm look without shrink plastic.

2. Cut out the mermaid pieces (front and back) and the seashell pieces (front and back).

The mermaid and seashell pieces cut out of the printable template for the DIY mermaid keychain craft

3. Using glue stick, glue the front and back of the mermaid together back-to-back, aligning the edges neatly. Repeat with the seashell. 

Gluing the front and back pieces of the mermaid and seashell for the handmade plastic charms

4. Glue a piece of clear plastic sheet over one side of the mermaid. Press along the plastic with your finger to spread the glue evenly and smooth out streaks beneath the plastic sheet (careful not to scratch the plastic with your nails).

Repeat the same process with the other side of the mermaid.

Covering the back of the mermaid charm with clear plastic sheet for the glossy keychain craft

5. Cut the plastic sheet around the mermaid, leaving a small clear border around the edges.

Cutting around the glossy mermaid and seashell charms after covering them with clear plastic sheets

6. Coat the seashell in the same way: glue clear plastic sheets to each side, then cut around the edges. 

The memraid and the seashell covered in clear plastic sheet, gettting the acrylic charm look without resin or shrink plastic

7. Once the glue is completely dry, punch a hole at the top of the mermaid and seashell, where marked by a dot.

A small 3 mm hole punch gives the cleanest result for this DIY keychain. If punching through the layers feels difficult, the hole can also be carefully made with a push pin (with adult help).

Punching holes in the plastic mermaid and seashell charms for the DIY keychain craft

8. Use jewelry pliers to open the jump ring of the keychain and attach the plastic mermaid charm.

Attaching the glossy mermaid charm to the key ring using jewelry pliers

9. Attach the seashell charm to the same ring as the mermaid, or to another link on the keychain using an extra jump ring (I took a jump ring from an unused keychain).
Adding the seashell charm to the DIY mermaid keychain

10. Next, add a chain of beads to your mermaid keychain. Pearl beads go perfectly with the sea theme of the charm.

Create the beaded chain:

  • Cut a piece of nylon string about 30 cm / 12 inches long.
  • Thread one small bead onto the string and slide it to the center.
  • Fold the string in half and thread another bead onto both ends together. Slide the bead down until it meets the first bead.
  • Continue threading more beads onto both ends together.
  • Make a strong knot at the end of the chain.

Making the pearl bead chain for the mermaid bag charm using nylon string and beads in different sizes

11. Tie the pearl chain to one of the keychain’s rings. With the pearls, mermaid, and seashell all attached, the handmade keychain is complete!

Finished glossy mermaid keychain craft with pearl beads and a kawaii charm made from a printable template

More Crafts Using Clear Plastic Sheets

If you still have clear plastic sheets left after making the mermaid keychains, here are a few more summer crafts that use them too:

Paper Submarine Craft for Kids: Make a paper submarine with the printable template. The submarine has clear windows with children in them, plus tropical fish around. Hold the popsicle stick and take the submarine for a ride under the sea. This craft is easy and fun, making it a great summer activity with an ocean theme.

  • 3D Boat in a Bottle – Make a paper bottle with a boat and ocean scene inside using printable templates and clear plastic sheets. Great for ages 7+.

Make a 3D paper boat in a bottle craft for summer! This beach themed craft comes with a free printable template to color and cut, making it a perfect summer craft.

  • Submarine Window Craft – Create a vibrant underwater window with floating fish and layered sea scenery. We’ll make it using paper plates, clear plastic sheets and printable sea creatures to color. Great for ages 8+.

Summer craft for kids and adults: A paper plate submarine window which is also DIY kids' room décor! Download the free printable fishes to color, follow the pictured tutorial and dive into an ocean of fun!

Make a Whole Mermaid World!

Still in a mermaid mood? I also made a Mermaid World Printable Craft Kit for my Etsy shop. Kids can build their own underwater mermaid world, with a castle, a treasure chest, and even a seashell that opens and closes. You can peek inside and see how it comes together in this post.

The ultimate printable mermaid craft: Create a complete 3D mermaid world! This printable craft set includes mermaids, a castle, corals, an opening treasure chest and a seashell that hides a surprise. Print out the template and craft your DIY paper playset!

And if you enjoyed the glossy mermaid keychain craft tutorial, feel free to share the post with a friend or save it on Pinterest so you can find it again later!

* All the free printables in my website are for personal, non-commercial use. Please always share them with a link and credit. Thanks!