Get ready for some holiday fun with these adorable Christmas paper squishies! These cute little characters are so much fun to make, and even more fun to squeeze! From a jolly snowman and sweet gingerbread man to a colourful Christmas tree and more, each squishy has its own festive personality. They’re soft, puffy, and oh-so-satisfying to squish!
These DIY Christmas squishies are an easy and inexpensive holiday craft for kids, made with paper, tape, and a little stuffing. Use our FREE printable templates to make seven different Christmas designs, then colour and decorate them however you like! It’s the perfect activity for a chilly afternoon, a Christmas party, or anytime you need a little holiday creativity.
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How to Make Christmas Paper Squishies
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Print and colour the template
- Print one of our free Christmas paper squishy templates!Find the link for the snowman in the materials list above, or keep reading below to find the other characters.
- Cut out the squishy shape close to the black line, so no white shows around the edge.Repeat with the second page. You can do this before or after colouring the pages.
- Use alcohol markers (or another coloring tool) to colour both pages of the squishy template.
Step 3: Add tape to the squishy
- Cut a piece of packing tape that’s at a couple inches longer than your squishy is wide on either side. Place the tape onto the paper so it’s overlapping both the top and the sides.Press it down smooth and ensure it’s totally adhered to the paper. You can also use a ruler or scraper tool to do this.
- Place a second piece of tape below the first, as close as you can get without overlapping.Again, smooth the tape down.
- Add more tape, working your way down the squishy. Stop when the next piece would overlap the bottom of the paper.Leave the bottom section of the paper tape-free.
- Lift the template up, carefully pulling the tape away from your working surface.Cut off some of the excess tape, following the shape of the squishy and leaving about an inch along each side.
- Cut slits in the tape wherever there’s a rounded edge, making sections between 1/2 to 1 inch in size.This will make it easier to connect the two sides.
Step 4: Attach the back of the squishy
- Flip the template upside down so that the sticky side of the tape is facing up.
- Carefully line up the back piece of the squishy so the edges match.
- Hold the pieces together carefully as you fold the tape around from the front. This will connect the 2 pieces of paper. Repeat all the way around.
- Then add more tape so the back is covered, again leaving the bottom section tape-free.
Step 5: Add stuffing and close off the squishy
- Carefully add stuffing into the bottom of the squishy. Do this slowly so you don’t rip the paper.
- Make sure all the stuffing is nicely inside and then add another piece of tape to the bottom, overlapping the sides and bottom.Trim around it if needed, and cut slits in the tape like you did with the first pieces.
- Fold the tape around, closing off the squishy completely.
- Your Christmas paper squishy is complete!
- Have fun making all the different paper squishies to celebrate the holidays. Find the links to the printable templates below!
Helpful Tips:
- Don’t overstuff your squishy: You can add as much or as little filling as you like, but we prefer using a smaller amount. Leaving a little extra space inside allows the air and stuffing to move around, making your finished paper squishy easier and more satisfying to squeeze!
- Wide packing tape works best: Clear packing tape makes it quick and easy to cover the paper, creating a smooth, durable surface that helps protect your squishy from tearing. Regular Scotch tape will also work if that’s what you have on hand, but you’ll need more strips to cover the entire design.
Get printable templates for Christmas paper squishies:
The links below will take you to our free, printable Christmas paper squishy templates! The 2 page PDF files will open in a new window. Then simply print the patterns on 8.5 x 11 (letter size) printer paper.
>> Snowman Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Christmas Tree Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Reindeer Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Bell Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Ball Ornament Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Gift Box Paper Squishy Template <<
>> Gingerbread Man Paper Squishy Template <<
What’s the best filling for Christmas paper squishies?
We recommend using Poly-fil or stuffing from an old pillow. It’s lightweight, soft, and easy to spread evenly inside your squishy, giving it a nice, pillowy feel.
But you definitely don’t need to buy special stuffing for this craft! There are lots of household materials you can use instead:
- Cotton balls: Soft and fluffy, perfect for smaller squishies.
- Makeup sponges: Create a springy texture that’s fun to squeeze.
- Crumpled or shredded paper: An inexpensive option that gives your squishy a slightly crinkly texture.
- Tissue paper: Lightweight and easy to stuff into small spaces.
- Bubble wrap: Adds a fun, crackly texture when you squeeze it.
- Plastic bags: Cut them into small pieces or loosely crumple them for a lightweight, crinkly filling.
Whatever filling you choose, avoid packing it in too tightly. Leaving a little empty space inside helps the squishy compress when you squeeze it.
What should I use to colour my Christmas paper squishies?
You can use any of your favourite colouring supplies to decorate these Christmas paper squishies!
We used alcohol-based markers because they dry quickly, create bright, vibrant colours, and are easy to blend for a smooth finish.
Regular washable markers and permanent markers also work well, especially for younger kids who want to colour their favourite Christmas characters.
You can also use coloured pencils, crayons, or gel pens for a different look. Just make sure any ink is completely dry before covering your design with packing tape to prevent smudging.
These Christmas paper squishies are such a fun way to add a little extra joy to the holiday season! It’s hard to resist giving these cute, puffy characters a squeeze, and making your own collection is half the fun.
Kids will love showing off their creations, swapping squishies with friends, or giving them as handmade Christmas gifts. With seven festive characters to choose from, you might just find yourself making one of each!
Here’s even more DIY squishy ideas:
Now available
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72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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