DIY Paper Squishies: Easy Steps to Make Your Own

Paper squishies are a fun and addictive craft project that are perfect for relieving stress and anxiety. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also a budget-friendly activity that you can enjoy with friends and family. Plus, unlike traditional squishies that are made from foam, paper squishies are biodegradable.

To make your own paper squishies, you don’t need much more than paper, markers, scissors, and glue. You can get as creative as you like with the designs, making everything from cute animals to food items. Once you’ve made a few, you’ll find that they’re also a great way to add some personal flair to your desk or bedroom. So, settle in and let’s get crafting!

Materials Needed for Making Paper Squishies

1. Squishy Material

The first essential item you need in making paper squishies is a squishy material. You can use a variety of materials to create the squishy part of your paper squishies, such as sponge, memory foam, or liquid silicone. Liquid silicone is the most preferred type of squishy material since it’s easy to work with, cheap, and widely available.

2. Paper or Cardboard

The second essential element you need in making paper squishies is paper or cardboard. You can use any type of paper, but cardstock, construction paper, and crepe paper are excellent options. Cardboard is also great and is preferred for larger sized squishies.

3. Scissors

You will, of course, need a pair of scissors when making paper squishies. Scissors are necessary for trimming your paper or cardboard to the right size and shape.

4. Pencil and Eraser

You’ll also need a pencil and eraser when making paper squishies. Sketch out the design you want on your paper or cardboard with a pencil before cutting, and an eraser comes in handy when you need to adjust the design.

5. Ruler

A ruler is essential for making sure your paper squishies are symmetrical and to the correct size. You can use any ruler you have at home, and a metal ruler is best when creating larger squishies.

6. Glue

When making paper squishies, glue is essential in holding the squishy material and paper or cardboard together. You can use any type of glue, such as PVA glue, glue stick, or hot glue depending on the squishy material you are using.

7. Paint or Markers

Paint or markers are optional but can enhance the appearance of your paper squishies. You can use any color paint or markers to decorate and add details to your squishies.

8. Cotton Balls

Cotton balls are optional but useful in adding extra density to your squishies. If you want your squishies to be a bit firmer, you can add some cotton balls before gluing the two pieces of paper or cardboard together.

9. Plastic Bag

A plastic bag is optional, but it comes in handy when making paper squishies. It’s useful in preventing too much moisture from getting to your squishies while working with them.

10. Implements to Create Texture

You can employ several items such as a fork, toothbrush, or sponge to create texture to your paper squishies. You’ll likely be creating different types of textures that can be utilized depending on the design you are working on as well as squishy material you are using.

In conclusion, there are different materials and supplies needed to make paper squishies. These ten essential items listed above are helpful in creating your paper squishies. Gather them all, and you are on your way to creating amazing paper squishies that everyone will adore.

How to Make Paper Squishies: Materials Needed and Preparation

Now that you’re ready to dive into the world of paper squishies, it’s important to be prepared with the right materials and equipment. Below are the materials you will need to make your own paper squishies and some preparation tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

1. Paper Squishy Materials

First things first, gather all the necessary materials. You’ll need:

– Squishy templates (print them or draw your own)
– Paper (thick paper is recommended, but regular printer paper will do)
– Pencil
– Scissors
– Glue (school glue or a glue stick)
– Paint (optional)

2. Choose Your Squishy Design

Before diving into the project, choose what design you want for your paper squishy. You can either download templates from websites or draw your own. The internet offers a ton of options from food to animals and everything in between. Feel free to get creative with your squishy design!

3. Print or Draw Your Templates

If you decide to use existing templates, print them out and make sure they’re the right size. When printing, make sure you have enough paper to print the quantity you need. If you’re drawing your own squishy templates, make sure to draw them to scale.

4. Cut Out the Squishy Design

Carefully cut out the design you want to use for your paper squishy. Use a pencil to trace around the edges of the template onto the sheet of paper, then cut along the lines. Take your time and be as precise as possible.

5. Fold Your Squishy Template

Once you have your template cut out, fold it along the dotted lines. This will give your squishy a 3D shape, making it more fun to squish.

6. Glue Your Squishy Together

Using your glue, apply a small amount of glue along the tabs of your design. Then, fold and hold the tabs together until the glue dries. Keep repeating this process until you’ve glued all the tabs to create your squishy shape.

7. Paint Your Squishy (Optional)

To add some extra fun and color to your paper squishy, paint it with your desired colors. Using acrylic or tempera paint, add some accents or designs to your squishy to give it some personality.

8. Allow Your Squishy to Dry Completely

Once you’re done painting, you’ll need to wait for it to dry completely. Depending on the type of paint you used, it could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Make sure it’s completely dry before moving on to the next step.

9. Squish Your Squishy!

Now that everything is dry and completely put together, you can start squishing your paper squishy. Have fun with it and enjoy the process of squishing!

10. Share Your Paper Squishy Creations!

Show off your paper squishy creations to your friends and family. Share them on social media or bring them to school or work to show everyone. This is a fun and easy project that anyone can do, so have fun and show off your creativity.

Materials Needed for Making Paper Squishies

Now that you have an idea of what paper squishies are and the various types of designs that you can create, it’s time to learn about the materials that you’ll need to make them. Fortunately, most of the things that you’ll need are probably lying around your house already.

Paper: The first thing you’ll need is paper. You can use any type of paper that you have on hand, including printer paper or cardstock. If you want your squishies to be a little more durable, consider using thicker paper.

Scissors: The next thing you’ll need is a pair of scissors. You’ll use these to cut your paper into the desired shape. Make sure your scissors are sharp.

Glue: You’ll also need some glue. You can use any type of glue you have on hand, like school glue, glue stick or hot glue gun. Hot glue is my favorite because it dries quickly and holds the paper together very well.

Pens and Markers: Depending on your design, you may need pens or markers to add color or details to your paper squishie.

Paint: If you prefer to use paint instead of markers to color your paper squishie, then you’ll need some acrylic or fabric paint, a paintbrush, and a palette.

Choosing Your Design

The next step is to choose your design. You can come up with your own design or look up online for inspiration. The easiest designs for beginners are simple shapes like circles, hearts, stars, or any animal shapes like panda, cat, unicorn, and many more.

Trace Your Design

Once you have chosen your design, it’s time to trace it on your paper. Draw your design on one paper, and then fold another paper in half and trace the same design on it. Cut out both traced designs.

Glue the Paper

Now comes the fun part! Apply a thin layer of glue to one of the cut-out pieces. Then, carefully place the second cut-out piece on top of the first, lining up the edges and pressing gently to seal them together.

Repeat the above step on each side of the cut-out shape. This will create a pocket that you can fill with stuffing.

Fill Your Squishy

Now, you can fill the pocket you just created with anything that you like, such as cotton wool, or memory foam, or even small foam beads. Just make sure to fill it enough to create a squishy texture, but not too much that it becomes difficult to squish.

Congratulations! You’ve made your first paper squishy. It’s fun to make a variety of different designs and shapes, so let your imagination flow and experiment. You can even customize your designs with different paint colors, markers, and glitter for a personalized touch.

Thanks for Stopping By!

We hope you enjoyed learning how to make paper squishies with us! Don’t forget to come back and check out our other DIY projects, or even share your own craft ideas with us. We love hearing from our readers and getting their feedback. Until next time, have fun crafting, and keep on squishing!