Crafts For Kids/Paper Crafts

15 Easy DIY Paper Squishies: The Best Low-Cost Craft for a Creative Afternoon

Sharing is caring!

*This post may contain affiliate links to support the cost of this blog. At no cost to you, I may make a small commission if you purchase through these links. Read our Privacy Policy HERE.

If you are looking for a fun way to spend your Saturday, I have put together a list of 15 Easy DIY paper squishies: The best low-cost craft for a creative afternoon.

A promotional craft poster titled "15 Free Easy DIY Paper Squishies" with the website https://artycraftycrew.com/. The graphic features a grid of various handmade paper squishies, including a capybara, a coffee cup, milk cartons, an avocado, and a blue cat.

How I picked these fun crafts

I have spent years working with graphic design, journaling, and scrapbooking, so I know a good paper project when I see one. When I was looking for these DIY paper squishies, I made sure to check that the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I only chose designers who have a great reputation and positive feedback from other crafters.

It was important to me to find a good mix of styles so there is something for everyone. I looked at how the final toys turned out to make sure they actually looked good and worked well as fidget toys. These are perfect for the kawaii lovers out there who want to make cute food, animals, or even mini tech gadgets!

Pick your favorite craft

You can use the list below to find a project that fits the materials you have at home right now. Whether you want to print a template or draw your own, these links will help you get started quickly.

Quickest Project
Find A Gift Match
Shop My Stash
Add ArtyCraftyCrew As A Google Trusted Source
Table Of Contents
  1. How I picked these fun crafts
  2. Pick your favorite craft
  3. Why you will love making these
  4. Who is this craft for?
  5. What is the best paper for DIY paper squishies?
  6. How do you make paper squishies slow rising?
  7. My top paper squishy tutorials
  8. Final Thoughts
  9. Looking For Similar Crafts?

Why you will love making these

  • Uses cheap materials like paper and tape
  • Great for stress relief and fidgeting
  • Fully customizable with your own colors
  • No messy glue or expensive foam needed
  • Fun and easy crafts for kids of all ages

Who is this craft for?

  • Parents: These are easy crafts for kids that keep them busy without a huge mess.
  • Students: Perfect for making cute desk decorations or stress toys for study breaks.
  • Journalers: You can use these techniques to add 3D elements to your memory keeping.
  • Beginner Crafters: If you are new to making things, paper is the best place to start.

If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more art inspiration. Follow us on Tiktok @ArtyCraftyCrew.

A purple and white promotional poster titled "15 Paper Squishies: Easy DIY for Your Next Project" featuring the website ArtyCraftyCrew.com. The graphic displays a grid of handmade paper crafts, including an avocado, a cupcake, a blue cat, a burger, a winking emoji, and a coffee cup.

What is the best paper for DIY paper squishies?

The best paper to use is regular printer paper or thin cardstock. Printer paper is great because it is flexible and easy to fold, which helps the squishy bounce back after you squeeze it. If you use paper that is too thick, it might crease or crack when you press down on it.

I always recommend covering your paper completely with clear packing tape. This makes the paper stronger and prevents it from ripping. It also gives your toy a shiny look and makes the colors from your markers pop.

How do you make paper squishies slow rising?

To make your DIY paper squishies rise slowly, the secret is in the stuffing and the air flow. Using materials like memory foam scraps or soft plastic bags can help. Another trick is to use a pin to poke a tiny hole in the tape. This allows the air to slowly leak out when you squeeze it and slowly suck back in when you let go.

If you want a very soft squishy, polyester fiberfill (the stuff inside pillows) works wonders. Some people even use sponges cut into small pieces. Each type of stuffing gives a different feel, so it is fun to experiment and see which one you like best.

My top paper squishy tutorials

I have organized this list to show you many different ways to build your toys. You will find tutorials that use free printables if you don’t want to draw, and video guides that show you how to make 3D shapes like milk cartons or ice cream cups. Each link includes a list of what you need and tips from the designer to make sure your project is a success.

Kawaii Food Templates

A hand holds a large, handmade paper squishy shaped like a green avocado with a brown pit and a cute, smiling kawaii face. The squishy is laminated with clear tape for a glossy finish, part of a DIY roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Transform simple paper into 3D kawaii food-themed squishies like avocados, cupcakes, and pizzas using fantastic free printable templates. This tutorial requires printer paper, alcohol markers, packing tape, and polyester fiberfill to construct homemade fidget toys.

The guide provides detailed tips on cutting slits in the tape for rounded edges and lists several stuffing alternatives like makeup sponges, crumpled paper, and bubble wrap. Head to the blog post to grab your free templates and start making these totally addictive, satisfying crafts!

Designer: Debbie Chapman

GO TO TUTORIAL

Cartoon Character Printables

A top-down view of two handmade paper squishies: a light blue cat with a white belly and pink cheeks, and a pink flamingo being squeezed by a hand. These budget-friendly crafts are part of a DIY roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Make adorable cartoon character paper squishies using the blog’s convenient free printable patterns or your own colorful designs. Using colored paper, markers, transparent tape, and toy filling, this tutorial guides you through laminating your cutout completely with tape to avoid tears and perfectly stuffing it for a cute toy.

Check out the blog post to download the free patterns and find more fun construction paper ideas to keep kids occupied for hours!

Designer: Karolina @ CraftsyHacks

GO TO TUTORIAL

Easy Emoji Squishies

A close-up of a bright yellow handmade paper squishy featuring a winking emoji face with its tongue sticking out. The texture is crinkled and shiny from clear tape lamination, featured in a craft collection from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Create oversized, slow-rising Emoji paper squishies that double as excellent fidget toys. Using yellow paper, clear tape, markers, and stuffing options like old pillow filling or shredded plastic bags, this tutorial shows you how to assemble fun emoji faces with customized details.

The post even features a clever technique of pricking tiny holes in the tape to encourage air to escape and refill, enhancing the slow rising effect. Visit the blog to watch the video tutorial and see other ideas like pizza slices and rainbows!

Designer: Red Ted Art

GO TO TUTORIAL

The Complete Squishy Guide

A split-screen image showing a pink cupcake paper squishy with a kawaii face at the top, and several colorful 3D origami stars with googly eyes at the bottom. These creative paper projects are featured in a tutorial roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This comprehensive guide teaches you how to make inexpensive, air-filled paper squishies that are perfect for stress relief and gifts. The tutorial walks you through sketching designs like donuts, ice cream cones, or emojis, coloring them with markers or paints, waterproofing with clear packing tape, and filling the toy with materials like polyfill, tissue paper, or plastic bags. Visit the blog for step-by-step instructions and creative food and animal ideas!

Designer: Junkie Blaster

GO TO TUTORIAL

Burger and Soda Set

A handmade paper squishy designed to look like a takeaway coffee cup with a red sleeve and a straw. The craft has a glossy, laminated texture and is part of a budget-friendly DIY roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Learn how to make a soft, sensory paper squishy shaped like a burger and a soft drink! This tutorial uses A4 paper, colorful markers, transparent tape, and cotton ball fillings to create a fun, fluffy fidget toy.

By completely covering the colored cutouts with tape and carefully sealing the edges around the stuffing, you can make a satisfying and durable squishy. Head over to the blog post for detailed assembly steps!

Designer: Priyanka Sonkushre

GO TO TUTORIAL

3D Milk Carton

Two miniature handmade paper squishies shaped like milk cartons, one with pink accents and one with blue. Both feature tiny smiling faces and are shown being held by fingers with blue nail polish, featured on https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Discover how to construct a funny 3D milk carton paper squishy without using memory foam or puffy paint. You’ll learn how to measure out grid lines on A4 paper, draw cute kawaii faces, apply a full tape lamination, and fold the paper into a 3D square milk pack.

Using small pieces of a simple kitchen sponge for stuffing, this craft easily restores its shape after being squeezed. Watch the video for a step-by-step visual guide!

Designer: Julia DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Kawaii Jelly Toast

A vertical arrangement of three handmade paper squishies shaped like slices of bread. One slice is plain, one has yellow spread, and one has purple jam, all featuring cute kawaii eyes. These are part of a craft collection from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Experiment with different stuffings to build the ultimate kawaii toast paper squishy without foam or puffy paint. This tutorial walks you through sketching a piece of toast with jelly, covering it in clear tape, and testing three household stuffing methods: plastic bags, pillow stuffing, and memory foam scraps. The video compares the effects of each filling type so you know exactly what works best. Visit the channel to find out the winning method!

Designer: Megan Weller

GO TO TUTORIAL

Realistic Pocky Packet

A person holds three handmade popsicle-shaped paper squishies. One is a blue rectangular popsicle with sprinkles, one is a multi-colored striped popsicle, and one is a pink oval popsicle, all featuring cute faces. Part of a low-budget DIY roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Make a realistic Pocky-inspired snack packet paper squishy. Using dual-tip markers, this tutorial covers sketching the Pocky logo, adding nutritional info squiggles, and incorporating a separate cow drawing. By sealing the rectangular paper packet entirely with tape and stuffing it with a slow-rising mixture of foam and toy stuffing, you achieve a highly satisfying squish.

Watch the therapeutic coloring process and check out the final result in the video!

Designer: Chelsey DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Warheads Candy Design

A top-down view of a round, handmade paper squishy designed to look like a capybara's face. Two hands are holding the tan-colored, glossy-textured craft. This creative project is shared by https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Get an inside look at a creator’s dedicated paper squishy setup while learning how to make a fun Warheads candy design. This video breaks down the process of using reference images, sketching out designs, coloring with brush markers, and creating a clean, durable pocket with clear packaging tape. Stuffed with polyfill cotton to ensure it is super slow-rising, this method produces high-quality, long-lasting squishies.

Designer: Flow DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Sticky Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream

A close-up of a pink cupcake paper squishy with white frosting, colorful sprinkles, and a small cherry on top. The squishy features a smiling kawaii face and is shown being squeezed, featured in a tutorial collection from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Take your DIY paper squishies to the next level by creating an incredibly realistic and sticky Häagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream cup! This unique tutorial builds the squishy using an empty cheese container, packed with cotton and wrapped tightly in tissues. The tissue is then painted with a mixture of wood glue and paint and finished with a layer of removable glue to give it that authentic, sticky store-bought texture.

Designer: Pogeun paper

GO TO TUTORIAL

3D Ice Cream Cone

A close-up of a handmade paper squishy shaped like a round donut with bright pink frosting, colorful sprinkles, and a small, cute face. The craft is being held and squeezed by two hands, featured on https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Learn the essential techniques for making a homemade 3D Ice Cream paper squishy toy. This short video provides a fun walkthrough on how to successfully construct and stuff a custom 3D paper squishy from scratch. Visit the channel to follow the straightforward steps and make an adorable ice cream treat.

Designer: Julia DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Paper Apple Tech Products

A handmade paper craft designed to look like a phone case, featuring a series of concentric hearts in shades of pink and purple. This DIY desk decor idea is part of a roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Follow this step-by-step video tutorial to master the fundamentals of crafting DIY paper squishies. This comprehensive guide walks you through making highly detailed paper squishies modeled after Apple products, including Macbooks, iPads, and iPhones.

The designer uses A4 paper, fine-liners for keyboard and screen details, markers for coloring, and clear tape for a professional finish. It’s an incredibly satisfying project for tech lovers!

Designer: FishFillet

GO TO TUTORIAL

Skincare Blind Bag

A hand holds a rectangular paper craft character inspired by Roblox, wearing a light blue shark hat and featuring a dizzy expression with swirl eyes. This beginner-friendly paper project is from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This engaging tutorial combines the thrill of a blind bag unboxing with a creative skincare project. The designer demonstrates how to transform a paper character using clever paper-crafting techniques. The tutorial features detailed drawing, coloring with markers, and the use of tape to create functional, interactive paper elements. It encourages viewers to create their own customizable paper dolls and beauty sets.

Designer: hihi_paperdiy

GO TO TUTORIAL

Kawaii Grapes Walkthrough

A handmade paper squishy that realistically mimics a blue bag of Jolly Rancher hard candy, complete with illustrated fruit characters and candy pieces. This creative squishy idea is from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Step into the artist’s studio for a detailed walkthrough on how to create high-quality, slow-rising paper squishies. This tutorial features a cute Kawaii Grapes style project, showcasing the use of brush markers and polyfill cotton stuffing. The designer emphasizes the importance of full-tape lamination for durability and provides tips on sketching and sealing the paper pocket to ensure a satisfying squish.

Designer: Flow DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Pocky Milk Packet

Two hands with white nail polish squeeze a light blue handmade paper squishy designed to look like a bag of Pocky sticks, featuring a cute cow illustration and biscuit stick graphics. Shared as part of a DIY collection on https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Return to the world of paper crafting with this therapeutic, Pocky-inspired snack packet tutorial. Using dual-tip markers and a piece of folded white paper, the designer replicates the iconic Pocky logo and milk-flavor packaging. The squishy is stuffed with a custom mixture of memory foam and toy stuffing to create a slow-rising effect that is very satisfying to squeeze.

Designer: Chelsey DIY

GO TO TUTORIAL

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out these ideas. I hope you find a design that makes you want to grab your markers and tape right away. Happy Crafting!

If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more art inspiration. Follow us on Tiktok and Facebook @ArtyCraftyCrew.

A bright orange and white craft banner that reads "15 Easy and Cute Paper Squishies for Your Next Craft." The poster includes four close-up photos of DIY paper squishies: a winking emoji, an avocado with a kawaii face, a blue cat, and a capybara, all from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

Looking For Similar Crafts?

Arty Crafty Crew Banner

Crochet Designer Ariana Wimsett

About the Author: Ariana Wimsett is a designer and journaling enthusiast specializing in kawaii stickers and digital ephemera. She creates mindful, aesthetic printables to help you document your life beautifully.

Sharing is caring!