Printable craft guide
Make your first paper squishy
This starter guide keeps the first build simple: make a soft little paper shape, learn how much filling to use, and practice sealing the edge neatly.
Beginner craft guide
How to make your free template
This starter guide keeps the first build simple: make a soft little paper shape, learn how much filling to use, and practice sealing the edge neatly.
Get these ready
- *A4 printer paper or light card stock (90-120 gsm)
- *Child-safe scissors
- *A ruler and a blunt scoring tool, such as an empty pen cap
- *Clear tape or double-sided tape
- *A small amount of tissue paper or soft scrap paper for filling
What to put inside
Use 4-6 loose tissue scrunches. The finished shape should feel puffy, not tight or heavy.
What to stick with
Use clear tape in short overlapping strips. A glue stick is useful only for flat tabs; let it dry before filling.
- 1
Print and choose a shape
Print the starter sheet at 100% scale and choose one simple front-and-back shape to make first.
- 2
Cut slowly on the solid outline
Keep the border smooth and leave any pale tab or edge strip attached until the next step.
- 3
Decorate while the paper is flat
Add a face, blush, stickers, or pencil color before you seal the shape.
- 4
Tape three sides
Place the front and back together. Tape around the edge, leaving one small gap at the top or side.
- 5
Add light filling
Push in only a few loose tissue scrunches with the blunt end of a pencil. Keep the opening clear.
- 6
Seal and smooth
Close the last gap with overlapping tape, then press every edge gently so it feels tidy in your hand.
Print note: Print at 100% scale. Test one shape on plain copy paper before using nicer paper.
Finish it: For a shinier, more wipeable finish, add one smooth layer of clear tape over the front after the edges are sealed.
Use scissors with adult help when needed. Keep filling light and dry: do not use food, liquid, rice, beads, or anything heavy inside a paper squishy.
Print and make
Get both PDFs for this project
Download the original A4 template and a separate one-page printable guide. A verified free account keeps all beta downloads in one place.