- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.4 × 0.9 in (6.0 × 2.4 cm)
This pastel green mint tin is covered in smiling white mints, leafy accents, and a playful squish facts label on the side. Grab the free printable candy paper squishy template in US Letter or A4, which includes 3 versions: full color, a black-and-white coloring page, and a blank net. Once folded and stuffed, your little box measures about 2.4 × 0.9 in (6.0 × 2.4 cm). Pair it with our gum pack squishy for the cutest pocket-treat duo!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your mint tin template at 100% on plain printer paper and make sure to turn off “fit to page” in your settings. Check that the scale bar at the top measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page version, color in the happy mint characters, leaves, and wavy stripes now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Cover the entire mint tin graphic with wide clear packing tape, making sure all the yellow and blue tabs are covered too. Smooth each strip down starting from the center outward and do not stretch the tape as you lay it down. This gives the green tin its glossy finish and keeps the paper strong when you squish it.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer line of the template, keeping every yellow and blue tab attached. Take your time around the corners where the wide lid panels meet the long narrow strip of side walls. Be careful not to cut into any of the inner dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Place your ruler along each dashed line and trace over it firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold every tab and box crease inward toward the blank white side once, then open the net flat again. Pre-folding is super important because the narrow mint tin walls are tough to bend cleanly once taped.
5Make the walls
Bring the long strip of side walls around into a rectangular ring with the cute mint illustrations and squish facts facing outside. Put a dab of glue on the small yellow side tab at the end of the strip and press it inside to hold the ring together, then tape that seam from the outside along its full length.
6Close the bottom
Spread glue onto the yellow tabs attached to the bottom panel with the scattered mint pattern. Fold the bottom in and press those yellow tabs firmly against the inside of the narrow walls so the tin takes shape. Leave the top Fresh Mints lid with the blue tabs open so you have room to stuff it.
7Tape the bottom
Because craft glue alone does not hold on slick packing tape, you need to reinforce the base right away. Place strips of regular clear tape along every bottom edge from the outside, running all the way along each edge. Press the tape down smoothly so the flat bottom of your mint tin stays sharp.
8Stuff it
Push small, loose scrunches of plastic grocery bag or soft puffs of fiberfill into the box through the open top. Make sure the corners get a little filling first, and stuff the tin lightly so the narrow walls and wide faces stay square and flat instead of puffing out like a pillow.
9Close it
Fold the blue tabs inward and close the top Fresh Mints lid over the stuffing. Hold the lid snug against the walls and tape every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape, covering the whole length of each edge so no filling can poke out.
10Squish!
Done! Your kawaii mint tin paper squishy is ready to squeeze—press it down and watch the glossy green box puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole in an inconspicuous spot along a side panel so the air escapes slowly.
Free Mint Tin Squishy Template
- Color
- Coloring page
- Blank, design your own
- Step-by-step guide
One free PDF: the template in three versions (pages 1–3) and the step-by-step guide (pages 4–6). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- Keep the flat tin shape. Since this mint tin is only 0.9 in tall, overstuffing will quickly make it bulge out of shape. Take some stuffing out if needed so the wide top and bottom panels stay flat.
- Crisp corners on narrow walls. If the folds along the squish facts strip look messy, score every dashed line firmly with an empty pen and a ruler before you fold.
- A seam pops open. Glue does not hold on tape for long and only holds the tabs while you build. Put a new strip of clear tape along the whole seam from the outside.
- Smooth tape over the lid. Wrinkles show up easily on the pastel green Fresh Mints cover. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on without pulling.
Questions
What are more cute candy paper squishy ideas to make next?
If you love sweet treats, you can pair this mint tin with our tiny candy box squishy to build a whole pocket candy collection. You can also use the blank template version in the PDF to draw your own fruit mints or sour sweets!
Can I assemble this candy paper squishy with only glue?
No, glue just holds the yellow tabs in place while you build. It does not stick to tape-covered paper for long, so every glued seam needs a strip of clear tape from the outside.
What kind of paper works best for printing the template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best for this small tin. Cardstock is hard to fold once it is taped and makes the squishy stiff.
What can I stuff my mint tin squishy with?
Plastic grocery bags give a crinkly, light feel, while fiberfill makes it soft. Stuff lightly so the rectangular mint tin shape stays neat.
Can I make these with a class or craft group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance. Kids can color the coloring page while you help with scoring and taping—plan about 45 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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Save it to your craft board so you can find the free template again.