How to Make Paper Squishies That Are Soft & Satisfying

What Are Paper Squishies and Why Everyone Loves Them

Paper squishies are handmade stress-relief toys crafted from paper, tissue, foam, or a combination of lightweight materials that give them a soft, squeezable texture when you press them. Unlike store-bought squishies made from slow-rise memory foam, paper squishies can be made at home with inexpensive craft supplies you likely already have on hand. They have surged in popularity over the past several years, especially among kids, teens, and creative hobbyists who enjoy making their own personalized versions of these satisfying little toys.

The appeal of squishies goes beyond just the tactile pleasure of squeezing them. They serve as a genuine form of stress relief, giving your hands something to do during anxious moments, long study sessions, or times when you simply need a sensory outlet. Many people find the repetitive motion of squeezing and releasing a squishy to be deeply calming, similar to the way fidget spinners or stress balls work. Paper squishies offer all of these benefits with the added bonus of being a creative, customizable craft project.

What makes the paper version particularly appealing is the accessibility of the craft. You do not need to order specialty foam or wait for packages to arrive. With tissue paper, newspaper, plastic wrap, and a little patience, you can create something genuinely soft and satisfying within an afternoon. The process also allows for enormous creative freedom, since you can shape your squishy into anything from a cute cartoon character to a slice of toast, a donut, an animal, or an abstract shape that simply feels good to hold.

Materials You Will Need to Get Started

Before you begin making your paper squishy, gathering all your materials ahead of time will make the process much smoother and more enjoyable. The core ingredient in most paper squishies is tissue paper, which provides the soft, compressible bulk needed to create that characteristic give when squeezed. You will want several sheets of tissue paper in a neutral color, typically white or light pink, which will form the interior stuffing of your squishy. The more layers you use, the squishier and more satisfying the final product will tend to feel.

In addition to tissue paper, you will need plastic wrap or a thin plastic bag to wrap around the tissue paper core. This outer plastic layer is what holds everything together and gives the squishy its smooth, slightly rubbery feel on the outside. Some crafters prefer to use a thin layer of foam from a craft store for a more authentic slow-rise effect, but plastic wrap is an excellent free substitute that works remarkably well. You will also need clear tape or hot glue to seal everything in place securely.

For decorating your finished squishy, you will want markers, paint pens, or acrylic paint along with a soft brush. Many crafters also like to add a final coat of a matte or glossy medium to give the squishy a smooth, professional finish and to protect the artwork from smudging. Other helpful supplies include scissors for shaping, a pencil for sketching your design, and optional embellishments like glitter, stickers, or ribbon. Having a reference image of the design you want to create is also a helpful way to stay on track as you work.

• Several sheets of white or light-colored tissue paper for the core stuffing
• Plastic wrap or a thin plastic bag for the outer shell
• Clear tape or a low-temperature hot glue gun to seal the shape
• Markers, acrylic paint, or paint pens for decoration
• Matte or glossy medium for sealing and finishing the surface
• Scissors and a pencil for shaping and sketching your design

[STUDIO_IMAGE: a flat lay of colorful craft supplies including tissue paper, paint pens, and scissors on a white wooden desk, bright natural lighting]

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Your First Paper Squishy

Begin by tearing or cutting your tissue paper into small pieces roughly the size of your palm. Crumple these pieces loosely and begin layering them on top of each other, building up the general shape of the squishy you want to create. If you are making a round squishy like a donut or a ball, gather the tissue into a compact round bundle. If you want a more specific shape like a strawberry or a cartoon character head, you can mold the tissue more carefully as you go, pressing and shaping it with your hands until you are happy with the overall form.

Once your tissue paper core has reached the size and general shape you want, take a generous length of plastic wrap and begin wrapping it tightly around the tissue bundle. Pull the wrap snugly as you go so that it conforms closely to the shape of the tissue underneath. You want the plastic to hold everything together firmly without compressing the tissue so tightly that it loses its soft, squeezable quality. Wrap it multiple times in different directions to ensure good coverage, then seal the loose ends with a small piece of clear tape to keep the wrap from unraveling during use.

After your squishy is wrapped and sealed, take a moment to squeeze and test it. It should compress gently when you press it and spring back slowly when you release, creating that satisfying slow-rise effect. If it feels too hard, you can unwrap it and loosen the tissue inside before rewrapping. If it feels too floppy and loose, add another layer of plastic wrap. Once you are happy with the texture, your squishy is ready to be decorated. Sketch your design lightly with pencil before going in with paint or markers, and work in thin layers to avoid cracking or peeling as the medium dries.

Creative Designs and Themes for Your Paper Squishies

One of the most delightful aspects of making paper squishies is the virtually unlimited range of designs you can create. Food-themed squishies are by far the most popular category among crafters of all ages, with miniature versions of donuts, cupcakes, toast, strawberries, watermelon slices, sushi, and ice cream cones topping the list. These designs are appealing because their simple, recognizable shapes are easy to replicate with tissue paper, and their bright, cheerful colors look stunning when finished with acrylic paint and a glossy sealant coat.

Animal-themed squishies are another beloved category that allows for a wide range of personality and creativity. From round, chubby cats and bears to bunnies with long floppy ears and tiny pandas, animal squishies tend to become treasured keepsakes as much as stress-relief toys. You can customize the expressions, colors, and accessories on your animal squishy to make it feel truly unique and personal. Adding tiny details like blush marks on the cheeks, little bow accessories made from ribbon, or sleepy half-closed eyes painted with a fine brush can really bring your creation to life.

For crafters who want more of a challenge, character squishies inspired by video games, cartoons, or original characters are a wonderful way to push your skills further. Creating a squishy shaped like a beloved cartoon character requires more precise tissue paper sculpting and more careful painting, but the results are incredibly rewarding. You can also experiment with gradient painting techniques, kawaii-style faces, or even glow-in-the-dark paint for a squishy that surprises and delights in different lighting. The key is to start simple and gradually build your skills with each new squishy you make.

1. Food squishies: donuts, cupcakes, toast, fruit slices, and ice cream
2. Animal squishies: cats, bears, bunnies, pandas, and dogs
3. Character squishies: original or inspired by cartoons and video games
4. Holiday squishies: hearts for Valentine’s Day, pumpkins for Halloween
5. Abstract squishies: clouds, stars, rainbows, and geometric shapes

[STUDIO_IMAGE: a collection of colorful handmade paper squishies shaped like food and animals displayed on a pastel pink surface, soft studio lighting]

Tips for Making Your Squishies Softer and More Satisfying

The softness of your paper squishy depends largely on how you prepare and layer your tissue paper core. One effective technique is to use very fine, thin tissue paper rather than thicker craft tissue, as the thinner sheets compress more easily and create a softer overall feel. Crumpling the tissue paper very gently rather than wadding it up tightly also helps preserve air pockets within the bundle, which contribute significantly to that pleasant, cushiony give when you squeeze the squishy. Experimenting with the amount of tissue you use is the best way to dial in the exact texture you prefer.

The type of plastic wrap you use for the outer shell also makes a meaningful difference to the final texture. Standard kitchen cling wrap tends to be quite thin and flexible, making it an excellent choice for squishies you want to feel extra soft and pliable. Slightly thicker plastic, like the kind used in plastic sandwich bags, provides a bit more structure and can help squishies hold their shape better over time, though they may feel slightly less squishy as a result. Many experienced crafters use two layers of thin cling wrap as a good middle ground between softness and durability.

One of the most overlooked tips for achieving a satisfying slow-rise effect is to leave a small amount of slack in your plastic wrap rather than pulling it extremely tight. When the wrap has just a little extra room, the tissue paper inside can expand more freely as it rebounds after being squeezed, creating a slower, more satisfying rise. You should also consider sealing your finished squishy with a flexible sealant rather than a rigid one, since rigid finishes can cause the outer coating to crack when the squishy is compressed, ruining the smooth appearance of your decoration.

How to Display, Store, and Care for Your Paper Squishies

Once you have put time and creative energy into making your paper squishies, knowing how to care for them properly will help them last much longer. The most important thing to keep in mind is that paper squishies, despite their plastic outer shell, are not waterproof or moisture-resistant. Storing them away from humid environments, water sources, or outdoor conditions will protect the tissue paper core from absorbing moisture and becoming mushy or misshapen over time. A small display shelf, a shadow box, or a dedicated organizer drawer are all great options for keeping your collection safe and dry.

Many squishy enthusiasts enjoy displaying their creations as decorative items as much as they enjoy playing with them. Setting up a dedicated squishy shelf with small risers or display stands can showcase your collection beautifully and protect individual pieces from being crushed by other items. Some crafters even attach small key rings or charms to their squishies and use them as bag accessories or keychains, though this does increase the wear they experience over time. If you plan to use your squishy as a keychain, adding an extra reinforcing layer of plastic wrap and applying two coats of sealant will help it withstand the additional handling.

For long-term storage, placing your squishies in individual clear plastic bags or small ziplock pouches will prevent them from collecting dust and protect the painted surfaces from scratching against each other. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of stored squishies, as this can cause permanent compression of the tissue paper core and reduce the satisfying squish over time. With a little care and thoughtful storage, a well-made paper squishy can remain soft, beautiful, and fun to squeeze for many months, serving as a lasting reminder of your creativity and the satisfying hours you spent making it.

[STUDIO_IMAGE: neatly arranged paper squishies displayed on white tiered shelves with soft warm ambient lighting and a clean pastel background]

Making Paper Squishies as a Group Activity or Gift

Paper squishy making is an exceptional group activity for birthday parties, classroom craft sessions, after-school programs, or casual crafting get-togethers with friends. Because the materials are inexpensive and easy to gather in bulk, setting up a squishy-making station for a group of children or teens is both affordable and highly engaging. You can lay out a variety of tissue paper colors, paint pens, and reference sheets showing different design ideas, then let everyone choose their own theme and create something uniquely their own. The shared excitement of comparing finished squishies at the end of the session adds a wonderful social dimension to the craft.

Handmade paper squishies also make genuinely thoughtful and personal gifts that most recipients absolutely love. Unlike mass-produced gifts, a handmade squishy carries the time, care, and personality of the person who made it. You can tailor the design to reflect the recipient’s favorite food, animal, color palette, or character, making the gift feel deeply considered and special. Packaging your handmade squishy in a small gift box with tissue paper, a ribbon, and a handwritten note elevates it into something that feels truly meaningful rather than just a novelty toy.

If you are making squishies as gifts for multiple people, consider creating a cohesive themed set, such as a collection of breakfast food squishies, a set of zodiac animals, or a group of seasonal holiday designs. Sets feel more intentional and impressive as gifts, and they give you the opportunity to practice consistency in your craftsmanship across multiple pieces. Wrapping a set of three or four squishies together in a clear gift bag tied with a complementary ribbon creates a presentation that looks polished, creative, and genuinely special, making your handmade paper squishies gifts that people will want to keep and treasure for a long time to come.