Making your own paper squishies? Sounds tricky, right? Well, I’ve navigated the same boat before and after much trial and error, not to forget my extensive research on DIY crafts, found that crafting these adorable squishy toys is surprisingly easy.
This blog post will guide you through a simple step-by-step process to create your own colorful paper squishies at home. Stay tuned as we embark on this fun-filled craft journey together!
Key Takeaways
- Making paper squishies is a fun and easy DIY project that anyone can enjoy.
- You will need materials like colored paper, markers, tape, glue, scissors, toy filling, and optionally a small plastic bag.
- Follow the step-by-step tutorial to fold the paper into shapes, draw designs with markers, fill with toy stuffing or a small plastic bag for extra squishiness, and secure the edges with tape and glue.
- Get creative with different designs like animals, food items, emojis faces, fantasy characters or flower blooms.
Materials Needed
For this project, you will need a few materials including colored paper sheets, white paper, a black marker, transparent tape, a glue stick, scissors, toy filling, and optionally a small plastic bag.
Colored paper sheets
You will need colored paper sheets to make your squishies. They add fun and life to your craft. You can pick any color you like! Bright rainbow hues are great for kids. So grab some sheets and let’s start making some DIY squishies!
White paper
White paper is an important material for making paper squishies. It provides a clean and bright base for your designs. You can use a white sheet of paper as the main body of your squishy, or you can cut smaller pieces to add details like eyes or decorations.
The color white also allows other colors to stand out when you draw on it with markers. Plus, using white paper gives you the freedom to create any design you want without being limited by pre-printed patterns or colors.
So grab some white paper and let your creativity run wild!
Black marker
I love using a black marker to create fun designs on my paper squishies! It’s amazing how just a simple doodle or pattern can bring the squishy to life. The black marker allows me to add details and make the design really stand out.
Whether it’s drawing cute faces, patterns, or even writing a special message, the black marker is a must-have tool for giving my paper squishies that extra touch of creativity. With so many possibilities, I never get tired of exploring different designs with my trusty black marker!
Transparent tape
I use transparent tape to secure the edges of my paper squishies. It helps keep everything in place and prevents any unraveling or tearing. The transparent tape blends in with the paper, so it doesn’t distract from the design.
It’s really important to make sure all the edges are taped down securely so that your squishy stays intact while you’re squeezing and playing with it. Plus, the tape is easy to work with and gives a clean finish to your homemade squishy.
Glue stick
I love using a glue stick when making paper squishies. It’s an easy and mess-free way to attach the toy filling to the paper. Just apply some glue on one side of the filling, then press it onto the paper squishy.
The glue stick dries quickly, so you don’t have to wait long before moving on to the next step. Plus, it holds everything together really well, ensuring that your paper squishy stays intact even with lots of squeezing and squishing.
So grab your glue stick and get ready to make some fantastic homemade squishies!
Scissors
To make paper squishies, one important tool you’ll need is a pair of scissors. Scissors help you cut the paper into the desired shape for your squishy. You can use them to make smooth, even cuts and create fun designs.
Just be careful and remember to always have adult supervision when using scissors, especially if you’re a kid. So grab your trusty pair of scissors and get ready to start crafting your very own paper squishies!
Toy filling
To make paper squishies, you’ll need toy filling. Toy filling is what makes your squishy soft and squeezable. You can use cotton batting or polyester fiberfill as toy filling for your paper squishy.
Simply take a small amount of the filling and gently stuff it into the folded paper shape that you’ve created. Make sure to distribute the filling evenly, so that your squishy feels nice and plush when you squeeze it.
The more toy filling you add, the softer and more satisfying your squishy will be to play with!
Small plastic bag (optional)
If you want to add something extra to your paper squishy, you can use a small plastic bag. This is optional, so it’s up to you if you want to include it. The bag can be placed inside the squishy before sealing it up with tape and glue.
It adds an interesting texture and makes the squishy feel even more satisfying when squeezed. Just make sure the bag is small enough to fit inside your paper creation!
Step-by-Step Tutorial on Making Paper Squishies
Making paper squishies is a super fun and creative DIY project! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Gather your materials: colored paper sheets, white paper, black marker, transparent tape, glue stick, scissors, toy filling, and a small plastic bag (optional).
- Fold your colored paper sheet in half horizontally. This will create the base of your squishy.
- Use the black marker to draw your desired design on one side of the folded paper. Get creative with different shapes and patterns!
- Carefully cut along the outline of your design using the scissors. Make sure to leave a small border around the edges.
- Unfold the paper to reveal your shape. Now it’s time to add some squishiness! Apply a generous amount of glue stick along one edge of the shape.
- Place toy filling on top of the glue and press down gently to secure it in place. You can also use a small plastic bag filled with rice or beans as an optional addition for extra squishiness.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 for all remaining edges of your shape until the entire squishy is filled with stuffing.
- Once you’ve completed filling all the edges, fold the shape back together and press firmly along all sides to ensure everything sticks together.
- To give your squishy a polished look, use transparent tape to seal all the edges securely.
- Ta – da! Your homemade paper squishy is now ready for squeezing and playing with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fOtfrFq1q8
Ideas for Different Paper Squishy Designs
Here are some fun and creative ideas for different paper squishy designs that you can try:
– Animal Shapes: Make paper squishies in the shape of your favorite animals like cats, dogs, or pandas. Use different colored paper to add details to make them look more realistic.
– Food Themes: Create paper squishies that resemble different types of food such as pizza slices, ice cream cones, or hamburgers. Use markers to draw toppings and details on the paper.
– Emoji Faces: Make cute emoji face squishies by drawing expressive faces on the paper using markers. You can create happy faces, sad faces, or even silly faces.
– Fantasy Characters: Design paper squishies based on fantasy characters like unicorns, mermaids, or dragons. Use glitter pens or colorful glitters to make them look magical.
– Flower Blooms: Craft delicate flower-shaped squishies by folding and cutting the colored paper into petal shapes. Then glue them together in a circular pattern to create beautiful flowers.
These are just a few examples of the many possibilities when making different designs for your own unique paper squishies. Let your imagination run wild and have fun creating your very own handmade toys!
Tips for Making Paper Squishies Without Tape or Glue
Making paper squishies without tape or glue is a fun and creative way to make your own squishy toys. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Use folding techniques: Instead of using tape or glue, focus on folding the paper in different ways to create the shape of your squishy. Experiment with different folding techniques, such as accordion folds or origami folds, to achieve the desired design.
- Secure with paper clips: Instead of tape, use small paper clips to hold the folded sections together. Place the clips at the edges or corners of the folded paper to keep everything in place.
- Opt for self-sealing materials: Look for colored papers that have adhesive properties or can be sealed by applying pressure. These papers will stick together when pressed firmly, eliminating the need for tape or glue.
- Explore alternative fillings: Instead of traditional toy filling, consider using other materials to add softness and squishiness to your paper creations. You can try using cotton balls, tissue paper, shredded newspaper, or even fabric scraps to stuff your squishy.
- Get creative with embellishments: Without tape or glue holding everything together, you can focus on adding decorative elements to your paper squishies. Use markers, colored pencils, or crayons to draw designs on the surface of your squishy.
Conclusion
Making paper squishies is a fun and easy DIY project that anyone can enjoy. With just a few materials, like colored paper, markers, tape, and glue, you can create your own unique designs.
Whether you choose to make a simple shape or get creative with different patterns and decorations, making paper squishies is a great way to express your creativity and have fun. So go ahead and give it a try – you’ll be amazed at what you can create!
FAQs
1. What materials do I need to make paper squishies?
To make paper squishies, you will need colored paper, scissors, glue or tape, markers or crayons for decoration, and something soft to stuff them with like cotton balls or foam.
2. Can I use regular printer paper for making paper squishies?
Yes, you can use regular printer paper for making paper squishies. Thicker papers like cardstock may provide a sturdier result.
3. How do I shape the paper into a squishy?
Start by cutting out two identical shapes from the colored paper in your desired design (such as circles or squares). Decorate one side of each shape if desired. Then, place them together with the decorated sides facing outwards and secure the edges using glue or tape, leaving a small opening to stuff in the soft material. Finally, seal the opening and enjoy squeezing your handmade squishy!
4. Are there any safety precautions when making and playing with paper squishies?
When making and playing with paper squishies, be cautious not to put small objects inside that could be swallowed by young children or pets. Additionally, avoid applying excessive force while squeezing to prevent tearing the thin papery material and potentially getting injured by sharp edges if they happen to form during usage.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!