Paper Squishy Templates

How to make a paper squishy

You need the printed template, scissors, clear tape and something soft to stuff it with. It takes about twenty minutes.

1. Print. Choose a design and press "Print or save as PDF". Keep the scale at 100% so both pieces are the same size; the 1-inch line on the sheet lets you check.
2. Colour. If you printed the black and white outline, colour it in now. Markers and coloured pencils both work; markers look brighter under tape.
3. Tape the faces. Cover the front and the back with overlapping strips of clear tape. This is what gives a paper squishy its shine and makes it strong enough to squeeze.
4. Cut. Cut both pieces out, leaving a thin white edge around the outline.
5. Join. Put the two pieces together, picture sides out, and tape them along the edge. Leave a gap of about 2 inches (5 cm).
6. Stuff and close. Fill it through the gap until it is plump but still squishy, then tape the gap shut.

What to stuff it with

• Plastic bags, cut into strips: the classic. Light, crinkly and slow to spring back.
• Tissues or paper towels, scrunched: softer and quieter, but they flatten over time.
• Cotton balls or pillow stuffing: the softest squeeze, if you have some at home.
• Packing foam or bubble wrap: firmer, and good for bigger squishies.

Without stuffing, tape or glue

• Without stuffing: make it "airy". Tape the edge all the way round except for a small gap, blow in a little air, and seal it. It squishes like a pillow but pops if squeezed too hard, so tape it well.
• Without tape: glue the edges with a glue stick and let it dry before stuffing. Without tape on the faces it will be softer and less shiny, and it will not survive as many squeezes.
• Without glue: tape does the whole job. Glue is never needed for these templates.

The designs

Butter, toast, dumpling, milk carton, cookie and strawberry are the shapes people make most. Each one prints in colour or as a black and white outline to colour in. To make one your own, pick it, then change the main and second colours (the crust of the toast, the chocolate chips, the strawberry leaves) and the face.

These are for crafting at home and in class. Small pieces and stuffing are not for children under three.

Questions

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