New Year’s Vision Board Shrink-Art Charm Bracelets

Posted On January 6, 2026

Instead of having my troop choose a resolution with a clear success or failure point, I created Vision Board Bracelets. Each girl creates a bracelet with 11 meaningful charms that serve as a personal reminder of what she wants to focus on throughout the year.

Some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to shop through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping keep the creativity going! ✨

What You’ll Make

• One braided bracelet with 11 personalized charms
• Time: ~2 hours (less for small groups)
• Best for: Cadettes+ (adaptable for younger girls)
• Group-friendly: Yes

Supplies:

Materials

• Shrinky Dinks (frost preferred; white or clear also work) – Amazon
• Bracelet thread (3 strings, 2 ft each) – Amazon
• Jump rings
• Printed images, descriptions, and keepsake card (link at bottom of post)

Tools

• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Jewelry pliers
• Black alcohol ink marker (Sharpie or similar)
• Colored pencils or alcohol ink markers – (My favorite colored pencils for troops – Amazon)
• Oven (toaster oven works too)

1 – Fill out the Keepsake Card

Have each girl fill out their Keepsake Card with the image and description they have chosen from the Descriptions printable.

2 – Draw and color the images

Pass out a half sheet of the Shrinky Dink material to each girl. Keeping the rough side up, have them outline one image from each section of the Images printable. (Note that these images are already reversed, keep them that way.)

Girls can then color the images as they like with the alcohol ink markers or colored pencils. (Colors will darken as the charms shrink.)
Add a year charm. Make sure the numbers are reversed and touching, so they read correctly after shrinking.

3 – Cut out and hole punch

Cut out each image separately. Go ahead and keep some extra plastic on thin pieces to help keep them from breaking (I broke the plant twice!).

Hole punch each piece. Don’t forget this as you cannot add them after the pieces have shrunk. (I did have to make a second lightbulb). Put the hole in thicker places that are less likely to break. The image shows a good selection, except the apple and piggy bank should have been hole punched differently.

4 – Shrink the charms

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place the charms rough side up. Put into the oven for just a couple minutes. They will curl up and then flatten as they shrink. They will be done about 30 seconds after fully flattening. Remove from the oven. (Pro Tip: Slide the parchment paper and charms onto the counter and put a heavy flat object on top, like a book, to flatten the charms well.) Let cool.

Adult supervision is recommended for baking.

5 – Add jump rings

Using the jewelry pliers add a jump ring to each charm. Make sure that you twist the jump rings instead of pulling them open. Close jump rings the same way.

6 – Make your bracelet

Start your bracelet by taking all three threads and tying them in a loop. Start braiding your bracelet. After an inch or two add a charm. Keep braiding.

Add another charm every 1/2 of an inch. Once all charms are added tie the bracelet in a double knot and cut off the remaining string.

Put the knot through the loop to ‘tie’ the bracelet on.

Image meanings and descriptions

The heart of this project is choosing images intentionally. Encourage everyone to reflect on the past year and what they want to change or are looking forward to for the coming year. Images should be picked based on what feels right for them, not what others want or what they think others would like. Remember there is no ‘wrong’ choice. Girls can also create their own if they feel like nothing in the category represents them.

A link to the full printable is included at the bottom of this post, which makes it easier to take to meetings and share with the girls.

Some images appear in more than one category — this is intentional, as symbols can mean different things to different people.

School & Academic Goals

• A+ Symbol
  Represents working hard, doing your best, and aiming for strong grades.
• Notebook & Pencil
  Focus, staying organized, taking notes, and keeping up with assignments.
• Stack of Books
  Studying, expanding knowledge, improving reading skills, and academic growth.
• Lightbulb
  Creativity, new ideas, “aha!” moments, and learning something new.
• Year Planner
  Staying on track with deadlines, planning ahead, being more intentional.
• Graduation Cap
  Long-term academic success, motivation to keep moving toward graduation.
• Open Book
  Understanding, curiosity, diving deeper into subjects you care about.
• Clock
  Time management skills, study routines, balancing school and life.
• Puzzle Piece
  Problem-solving, critical thinking, and figuring things out even when it’s tough.
• Apple
  Education, building good habits, and staying dedicated to learning.

Friendships & Social Life

• Double Hearts
  Represents close friendships, loyalty, and strong personal connections.
• Pinky Promise
  Symbolizes trust, keeping promises, and supportive friendships.
• Polaroid
  Capturing memories, building moments with friends, creating good times.
• Heart Speech Bubble
  Open communication, kindness, and expressing feelings in a healthy way.
• Smiley Face
  Positivity, having fun, and surrounding yourself with people who make you happy.
• Friendship Bracelet
  Bonding, shared experiences, and the friendships that stick through everything.
• High-Five
  Celebrating each other’s wins, teamwork, and cheering on your people.
• Envelope with Heart
  Staying connected, thoughtful messages, and keeping in touch with those who matter.
• Music Notes
  Shared interests (concerts, playlists), bonding over music & fun activities.
• Star Cluster
  Your “star circle” — the people who lift you up and shine with you.

Mental Health & Self-Care

• Cloud with Sparkle
  Calm energy, peace of mind, letting go of stress.
• Lotus Flower
  Inner growth, healing, and rising above challenges.
• Sleep Mask
  Rest, better sleep habits, and protecting your downtime.
• Teacup
  Slowing down, comfort, warm moments, and emotional reset time.
• Heart with Sparkles
  Self-love, positive self-talk, and being kinder to yourself.
• Candle
  Relaxation, grounding rituals, and emotional balance.
• Water Bottle
  Hydration, physical wellness, taking care of your body to help your mind.
• Moon Phases
  Honoring cycles, emotions, and personal growth at your own pace.
• Bandage with Heart
  Healing from tough moments, emotional resilience, and recovery.
• Mini Rainbow
  Hope after hard days, brighter times ahead, and staying optimistic.

Confidence & Personal Growth

• Crown
  Believing in yourself, owning your worth, stepping into confidence.
• Butterfly
  Transformation, becoming who you’re meant to be, personal growth.
• Mirror
  Positive self-image, self-acceptance, seeing the good in yourself.
• Shooting Star
  Dream big, go for it, take chances — you’re capable of more than you think.
• Mountain with Flag
  Reaching your goals, overcoming challenges, celebrating progress.
• Key
  Unlocking new opportunities, discovering potential.
• Ladder
  Progress, climbing step by step, moving upward toward better things.
• Sun
  Confidence, joy, and showing up as your brightest self.
• Footprint
  Momentum, taking important steps, trusting your path.
• Target with Arrow
  Focus, ambition, hitting your goals through effort + intention.

Hobbies & Creativity

• Paint Palette
  Expressing yourself, exploring art, letting creativity flow.
• Music Note
  Finding joy through music, singing, instruments, or playlists.
• Camera
  Capturing memories, photography, seeing beauty in everyday moments.
• Book
  Reading for fun, storytelling, imagination, learning new things.
• Microphone
  Performing, singing, drama, speech — or finding your voice.
• Yarn Ball
  Crafting, DIY projects, creative hobbies.
• Scissors
  Making, designing, creating things with your hands.
• Gaming Controller
  Gaming as a hobby, exploration, problem-solving, having fun.
• Notebook
  Journaling, writing, doodling, planning creative ideas.
• Star Wand
  Whimsy, imagination, playful creativity, and magic-in-your-hobbies energy.

Money & Success

• Piggy Bank
  Saving money, being responsible, building good financial habits.
• Coins
  Growing income, small wins adding up, valuing your effort.
• Trophy
  Achievement, success, and earning recognition for your work.
• Briefcase
  Future career goals, ambition, professionalism, dreaming big.
• Laptop
  School success, future job skills, entrepreneurship, productivity.
• Bar Graph Rising
  Progress, improvement, growing your confidence and capability.
• Dollar Sign
  Financial goals, budgeting, earning, or learning about money.
• Lightning Bolt
  Motivation, drive, powerful effort, and “go-getter” energy.
• Checkmark
  Accomplishing tasks, completing goals, staying on track.
• Sparkle Cluster
  Good luck, positive outcomes, and celebrating your wins.

Health & Fitness

• Running Shoe
  Movement, staying active, building strength and endurance.
• Dumbbell
  Strength training, pushing yourself, becoming physically stronger.
• Apple
  Healthy eating, nourishment, choosing foods that support your body.
• Water Droplet
  Hydration, refreshing routines, taking care of your body daily.
• Yoga Pose
  Balance, flexibility, mental calm, gentle movement.
• Heart Rate Line
  Cardio fitness, overall health, taking care of your heart and energy.
• Jump Rope
  Fun movement, coordination, playful exercise.
• Bicycle
  Outdoor activity, freedom, exploration + fitness.
• Carrot
  Adding more nutritious foods, mindful eating, energy boosts.
• Sports Ball
  Teamwork, practice, improving skills, participating in athletics.

Fun & Adventure

• Roller Skates
  Playfulness, trying new activities, enjoying movement and freedom.
• Balloons
  Celebrations, special moments, lighthearted fun.
• Tent
  Adventure, exploring outdoors, stepping out of your comfort zone.
• Compass
  Finding direction, choosing your own path, saying “yes” to new experiences.
• Ticket Stub
  Concerts, movies, events, memory-making adventures.
• Sparkler
  Joy, spontaneous fun, little bursts of excitement.
• Ice Cream Cone
  Treats, silliness, embracing the happy kid-at-heart moments.
• Camera
  Capturing adventures, noticing the small joys of daily life.
• Map
  Exploration, wandering, discovering new places (even locally!).
• Burst
  Moments that feel big, exciting, or special — little jolts of joy

Personal Style & Aesthetic Goals

• Cute Sweater
  Upgrading your wardrobe, discovering your personal style.
• Bow
  Adding personality to your outfits, feeling put together.
• Nail Polish Bottle
  Self-care, looking sharp, expressing yourself through color.
• Star Sunglasses
  Confidence, bold choices, embracing fun fashion.
• Hairbrush
  New hairstyles, taking care of your look, feeling your best.
• Perfume Bottle
  Creating your vibe, curating your “signature.”
• Earrings
  Accessorizing more, trying new jewelry, experimenting with style.
• Makeup Compact
  Playing with makeup, enhancing your aesthetic, learning techniques.
• Cute Hat
  Trendy choices, comfort + flair.
• Clothes Hanger
  Refreshing your closet, organizing outfits, building a style that feels “you.”

Affirmations

• Heart With Sparkles
  “I am enough.” – Represents self-love, worthiness, and inner shine.
• Sunrise
  “Every day is a fresh start.”  – Symbolizes new beginnings and hopeful mornings.
• Upward Arrow
  “I’m growing in the right direction.” – Shows progress, improvement, and forward motion.
• Shield
  “I can handle hard things.” – Protectiveness, resilience, and emotional strength.
• Open Hands
  “I welcome good things into my life.” – Receiving opportunities, openness, and trust.
• Star Sparkle Cluster
  “My potential is limitless.” – Magic, possibility, and believing in yourself.
• Heart Lightbulb
  “I trust my ideas.” – Creativity, intuition, and confidence in your thoughts.
• Sprouting Seed
  “I grow a little every day.” – Gentle, steady self-improvement.
• Infinity Symbol
  “I am capable of more than I know.” – Endless potential, long-term strength, big-picture thinking.
• Crown
  “I deserve good things.” – Worthiness, confidence, and owning your inner power.

Ways to change it up

This craft can also be made into a necklace, a keychain, a zipper pull, or something to hang off your rearview mirror. Get creative!
If you want to adapt this for younger girls, I would cut the options down to 3-4 for each category, and maybe remove categories that don’t apply to them as much such as Personal Style or Money.
Need to do it in a shorter time frame? Have girls bake their charms at home and bring back later.

Tips and Tricks

Bracelet too tight – Don’t cut the extra thread until you are sure of your bracelet size. If it’s too tight or big, simply untie the last knot and move it up or down the bracelet.
Too many charms – Charms can be limited to whatever categories girls feel the strongest about. There is no correct number.
Too many choices – Remove extras if girls get too overwhelmed with many choices.
Prepare before the meeting in case you need to change things in advance, if you feel you dont need to you can hit the ground running as soon as the meeting starts!

Download

Have you or your girls made a Vision Bracelet? I’d love to hear how you adapted it for your group — share in the comments or tag us on Facebook so we can see your creations.

~Zigg