Have you ever felt like making something cute and squishy with your own hands? Something that brings a little joy and is super simple to create? Well, as a matter of fact, you are in the right place! We are talking about paper squishies, which are very popular right now. They offer a delightful way to craft something special, just for you or for someone else. It's truly amazing how a plain sheet of paper can become such a wonderful, soft little toy.

Making your own paper squishy is a pretty fun and easy project, you know, perfect for anyone who loves crafts. It's a great activity for kids, actually, and it lets you get really creative without spending a lot of money. You can take some inspiration from what other people on the internet are making, or you can simply dream up your own unique designs. This guide will show you how to make your very own paper squishy, step by step.

We have gathered lots of ideas, too, some of the best ones out there, to get your imagination going. You will discover many innovative and fun paper squishy ideas right here. Get ready to just let your creativity flow and create something truly fun! We hope these homemade paper squishy ideas will really inspire you to make something cute as well, you see.

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Table of Contents

• What Are Paper Squishies?
• Why Make Your Own?
• Getting Started: What You'll Need
  • Basic Supplies
  • Stuffing Options
• How to Make a Paper Squishy: Step-by-Step
  • Design Your Shape
  • Cut and Tape
  • Stuff It Up
  • Seal the Deal
• Creative Paper Squishy Ideas to Try
  • Food-Themed Fun
  • Cute Animal Friends
  • Everyday Objects
  • Whimsical Characters
• Tips for the Best Squishies
• Troubleshooting Common Squishy Issues
• Frequently Asked Questions About Paper Squishies
• Time to Get Crafty!

What Are Paper Squishies?

Paper squishies are homemade toys, you know, made from paper and filled with soft materials. They are designed to be squeezed and then return to their original shape. People often use them as fidget toys or just as cute decorations. They are a pretty simple craft, actually, and they let you use materials you probably already have around the house.

These little creations are quite popular because they are so easy to make. Plus, you can make them in any shape or design you can think of. They are a bit like miniature pillows, but for your hands, which is kind of cool. They are definitely a perfect craft for kids, and you can make these paper projects on the cheap.

Why Make Your Own?

Making your own paper squishies offers a lot of good reasons, you see. For one thing, it is a very fun and easy DIY project. It is perfect for squishy enthusiasts, honestly. You get to express your own style and make something totally unique. This is unlike buying something from a store, where everyone else might have the same thing.

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Also, making things yourself can be a calming activity. It gives you something to focus on, and you end up with a cool item at the end. It is a really satisfying feeling, too, to hold something you made from scratch. These homemade fidget toys are soft, and they can help you feel a little more relaxed.

It is also a very budget-friendly craft. You can make these from the comfort of your home with just a few materials handy. This means you do not have to spend a lot of money to have a good time making something creative. That is a pretty big plus for many people, you know.

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Before you start making your squishies, you will need to gather a few simple things. Most of these, as a matter of fact, you might already have lying around. This makes it a very accessible craft for just about anyone.

Basic Supplies

• Paper: Any kind of paper will do, but a slightly thicker paper, like cardstock, tends to be better. It holds its shape a bit more. You can use plain white paper, colored paper, or even printables.

• Scissors: For cutting out your designs. Make sure they are sharp enough for clean cuts.

• Tape: Clear packing tape is usually best because it is strong and makes the squishy more durable. You can use other clear tapes, too, but packing tape really works well.

• Markers or Colored Pencils: For drawing and coloring your designs. This is where your creativity really shines, you know.

Stuffing Options

The inside of your squishy is what makes it soft and, well, squishy! You have several options here, and you can even mix and match them. You can try using cotton balls, which give a nice soft feel, or tissue paper, which is very light. Shredded newspaper is another good option, and it is usually free. Fabric scraps work well, too, for a different texture.

Some people even use plastic bags cut into small pieces, or old sponges. The key is to use something that is soft and can compress easily. You want something that will bounce back after you squeeze it. Experiment a little to see what kind of squishy feel you like best, you know.

How to Make a Paper Squishy: Step-by-Step

Making a paper squishy is a pretty straightforward process. It is a fun and easy DIY project that is perfect for squishy fans. Here is how you do it, step by step, to create your very own squishy from paper. Let us just get into it!

Design Your Shape

First, you need to decide what shape you want your squishy to be. Draw your chosen design on a piece of paper. You will need to draw two identical shapes. Think of it like drawing the front and back of your squishy. Make sure they are the same size, or it will be a bit tricky to put together. You could draw a simple heart, a star, or something more complex, you know.

If you are drawing something like an avocado or a cupcake, draw it on one side of the paper. Then, you can fold the paper and cut both layers at once to get two identical pieces. This makes things a little easier, honestly.

Cut and Tape

Carefully cut out both of your drawn shapes. Try to cut as neatly as you can, because this will make your squishy look better. Once they are cut, you will place one shape directly on top of the other. Now, take your clear tape and start taping the edges together. You want to leave a small opening, though, usually at the bottom or side. This opening is where you will put the stuffing. Make sure the tape covers all the edges where you want it sealed, you see, so no stuffing falls out later.

Overlap the tape slightly to create a strong seal. You want to make sure there are no gaps, or the air will escape when you squish it. This part is pretty important for a good squishy feel.

Stuff It Up

Now for the fun part: adding the stuffing! Take your chosen stuffing material, whether it is cotton balls, tissue paper, or fabric scraps. Begin to gently push it into the opening you left. You want to fill the squishy until it is nice and plump, but not so full that it is hard. You still want it to be soft and able to compress. This gives it that satisfying squishy feel, you know.

Do not overstuff it, or it will not be very squishy. Just put in enough so it feels soft and bouncy. You can adjust the amount as you go, which is pretty handy.

Seal the Deal

Once your squishy is filled to your liking, it is time to seal up that opening. Take more of your clear tape and carefully tape the remaining open edge closed. Make sure it is completely sealed, just like the other edges. You want to ensure that no air or stuffing can escape. This step is very important for the squishy to work properly and last a long time.

Give it a gentle squeeze to test it out. If you feel any air escaping, you might need to add a bit more tape to that spot. It is a pretty simple fix, usually.

Creative Paper Squishy Ideas to Try

There are so many cool things you can turn into a paper squishy! You can use our printables to make cute food-themed paper squishies, like an avocado, cupcake, or pizza. Or, you can just draw your own paper squishy. We have compiled a list of 25 DIY paper squishy ideas that you can make from the comfort of your home with a few materials handy. Here are some categories to spark your imagination, you know.

Food-Themed Fun

Food items are always a popular choice for squishies because they are often cute and colorful. Think about your favorite snacks or treats. Here are some ideas, which are pretty fun:

• Sweet Treats: A cheerful cupcake with sprinkles, a gooey chocolate chip cookie, a bright pink donut, or a slice of watermelon. These are generally very appealing.

• Fruity Friends: A happy avocado, a juicy strawberry, a bright yellow banana, or a plump peach. Fruit shapes tend to be easy to draw, too.

• Savory Snacks: A slice of pizza with all your favorite toppings, a crispy french fry, or a tiny burger. These can be really creative, actually.

Cute Animal Friends

Animals make for very lovable squishies. You can make them simple or add lots of details. Here are some thoughts:

• Fluffy Critters: A sleepy cat, a playful dog, a cuddly bear, or a hopping bunny. You can give them different expressions, which is kind of neat.

• Ocean Dwellers: A friendly fish, a cute octopus, or a little whale. These shapes can be a bit more unique.

• Mythical Beasts: A tiny dragon or a sweet unicorn. These let your imagination really run wild, you know.

Everyday Objects

You can also turn common items into squishies. This is a bit unexpected, but it can be really charming. Some ideas include:

• School Supplies: A colorful pencil, a cute eraser, or a tiny notebook. These are pretty relatable, you see.

• Household Items: A little cloud, a shiny star, or a happy lightbulb. These can be surprisingly fun to squish.

• Nature's Gifts: A pretty flower, a green leaf, or a tiny mushroom. These bring a bit of the outside in, which is nice.

Whimsical Characters

Let your imagination run free and create your own unique characters. These can be anything you dream up. Here are some starting points:

• Smiling Faces: Simple happy faces with different expressions. You can add hair, hats, or glasses.

• Monsters: Friendly, colorful monsters with funny eyes or silly teeth. These are usually pretty fun to design.

• Abstract Shapes: Just cool, interesting shapes with patterns or colors. Sometimes, simple is best, you know.

Tips for the Best Squishies

To make your paper squishies extra good, here are a few simple tips. These can help you get the best results, you know.

• Use plenty of tape: Make sure all edges are completely sealed. This keeps the air inside and makes the squishy more durable. A good seal is pretty important.

• Do not overstuff: A squishy needs room to compress. If it is too full, it will feel hard and will not squish well. Find that sweet spot where it is soft but still holds its shape, you see.

• Laminate for durability: If you want your squishy to last a really long time, you can cover your paper design with clear contact paper or a laminating sheet before cutting and taping. This makes it more resistant to tears and water, which is pretty handy.

• Experiment with stuffing: Try different materials to see what kind of squishy feel you like best. Cotton balls give a soft, fluffy feel, while shredded paper might be a bit firmer. It is all about personal preference, you know.

• Be creative with designs: Turn fun, colorful paper into fun and original squishy characters with these 25 paper art ideas. Do not be afraid to try unusual shapes or add intricate details. The more unique your design, the more special your squishy will be. You can get lots of inspiration from online sources, too, like a reputable craft site.

Troubleshooting Common Squishy Issues

Sometimes, your squishy might not turn out exactly as you planned. That is totally okay, you know! Here are some common problems and how to fix them, which is pretty helpful.

• Squishy is not soft enough: If your squishy feels too hard, it probably has too much stuffing. You can carefully open a small part of the seam, remove some stuffing, and then re-tape it. You want it to be soft and yielding, you see.

• Squishy loses air: This means there is a gap in your tape seal. Check all the edges very carefully for any tiny openings. Add more tape over any suspicious spots. Sometimes, a double layer of tape helps, too.

• Squishy tears easily: If your paper is thin, it might tear. Try using thicker paper, like cardstock, for your next one. Also, make sure you are using strong clear packing tape, as it provides a good protective layer. Laminating the paper before you start can also prevent tears, which is a good tip.

• Design smudges: If you are using markers, they can sometimes smudge when you tape over them. Let your ink dry completely before applying tape. Using colored pencils might be a safer bet if smudging is a big problem for you, you know.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paper Squishies

People often have some questions when they start making paper squishies. Here are a few common ones, which might help you out.

How do you make a squishy without tape or glue holding it?

Well, usually, tape is pretty essential for holding a paper squishy together and keeping the air in. Without tape or glue holding it, the paper would not form a sealed pocket for the stuffing. It is what gives the squishy its shape and allows it to inflate after being squeezed, you see. There are other types of squishies, like fabric ones, that do not use tape, but for paper squishies, tape is pretty key.

What is the best thing to stuff a paper squishy with?

The best stuffing really depends on what kind of squishy feel you like. Many people prefer cotton balls because they are very soft and fluffy. Tissue paper or shredded newspaper also work well for a lighter, more airy feel. Fabric scraps can give a denser, firmer squishy. You can even mix different materials to get a unique texture, which is pretty neat. It is a bit of a personal choice, you know.

Can you make paper squishies waterproof?

You can make paper squishies much more resistant to water, yes. The best way to do this is by covering your finished paper design with clear contact paper or laminating it before you cut and tape it. This creates a protective layer over the paper. While it might not be completely waterproof if submerged, it will definitely protect it from splashes and general moisture, which is pretty helpful for keeping your squishy nice for longer.

Time to Get Crafty!

So, there you have it! Making paper squishies is a truly rewarding and simple craft activity. You have learned how to make your own unique squishy creations at home. From choosing your design to picking the perfect stuffing, every step is a chance to be creative. We hope these 20 cute paper squishy ideas have inspired you and that you are ready to add a touch of whimsy to your day. You can find even more fun craft ideas and inspiration on our site, just learn more about paper crafts or check out our latest DIY projects.