- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.4 × 2.0 in (6.0 × 5.0 cm)
Craving a cute fast-food craft? This bright red and yellow Kids Meal Box is covered in smiling kawaii burgers, fries, stars, and a sweet Squish Facts label on the back. Grab our free burger paper squishy template in 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank net to draw your own design, all formatted for both US Letter and A4 paper. You can even pair your finished box with our french fries paper squishy for the ultimate combo meal!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen Kids Meal Box sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper—make sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale bar in the corner; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page version, grab your markers and color the burgers, fries, and bold lettering now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Lay wide clear packing tape across the entire printed net, making sure to cover all the yellow and blue tabs too. Smooth each strip outward from the center so the glossy red walls and yellow top look super shiny. Take your time and do not stretch the tape as you lay it down.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer border of the Kids Meal Box, keeping all the angled glue and tape tabs attached. Be careful not to snip into any of the inner dashed lines, as those will become the corners of your box.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler along each dashed line and trace over it firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold every single tab and wall crease inward toward the blank white back once, then open it again. Pre-folding now makes assembling the taped paper box much easier later.
5Make the walls
Fold the red side panels into a rectangular ring with the kawaii burger artwork facing out. Dab a little glue onto the yellow side tab at the bottom of the strip, press it inside to hold the ring, and tape the outside of that vertical seam along its whole length with regular clear tape.
6Close the bottom
Swipe glue onto the yellow bottom tabs surrounding the starry yellow base flap. Fold the bottom in to close the base of your meal box, reaching inside the open ring to press the glued tabs firmly against the inner walls. Leave the top flap with the burger pattern open for filling.
7Tape the bottom
Because glue alone does not hold on slick tape, reinforce the base right away. Place strips of regular clear tape along the outside of every bottom edge, sealing the yellow base to the red walls all along the edge.
8Stuff it
Push loose, airy scrunches of plastic grocery bag or small tufts of fiberfill in through the open top of the box. Stuff the meal box lightly so the Squish Facts panel and front logo stay flat and square rather than round.
9Close it
Fold the blue tabs inward and close the yellow burger-patterned lid down over the stuffing. Hold the lid shut and run strips of clear tape along the outside of every top edge, sealing each seam completely all along the edge.
10Squish!
Done! Your 3D Kids Meal Box is ready to play with—give the sides a squeeze and watch the fast-food box puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole.
Free Kids Meal Box 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 box corners crisp. If the folds between the red walls and yellow top look messy, score every dashed line with your empty pen and a ruler before you fold.
- Fix a popping seam. Glue does not hold on tape, so if a seam pops open when you squeeze the box, put a new strip of clear tape along the whole seam.
- Stop the walls from bulging. If the Squish Facts panel bulges out of shape like a pillow, there is too much stuffing inside. Take some out so the red sides stay flat and square.
- Avoid wrinkles on the logo. To keep the big front lettering smooth and wrinkle-free, use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on gently without pulling.
Questions
How do you make a burger and french fries paper squishy set?
This Kids Meal Box already features cute burgers and fries printed right on the carton! To turn it into a full play meal, pair it with our juice box paper squishy using the exact same tape, fold, and stuff method.
Can I build this hamburger paper squishy box with only glue?
No, glue just holds the yellow tabs in place while you build the box. Because glue does not stick to tape-covered paper for long, every glued seam needs a strip of clear tape from the outside.
What paper works best for printing the burger squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock is hard to fold once it is taped and makes the squishy stiff.
What can I stuff my Kids Meal Box with?
You can use plastic grocery bags for a crinkly, light feel or fiberfill for a soft bounce. Whichever you choose, stuff the 2.4 × 2.0 in (6.0 × 5.0 cm) box lightly so the shape stays neat.
Can I make these with a class or a party group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and cut the 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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