- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.0 × 3.6 in (5.0 × 9.2 cm)
Build your own bright red potato crisps tube with this free chips paper squishy template! The finished can shows a smiling kawaii crisp character on the front, floating golden slices around the sides, and a peek-through lid filled with stacked chips. Your download includes US Letter and A4 PDFs in 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank net. Pair it with our chips bag paper squishy for a crunchy snack collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen chip can sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper—make sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale bar in the top corner to confirm it measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the black-and-white coloring page, color the smiling crisp mascot, the bold letters, and the stacked chips on the lid now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Cover the entire chip can motif with wide clear packing tape, making sure all the yellow glue tabs and both round ends are covered too. Lay each strip down gently and smooth it out from the center toward the edges without stretching the tape, which keeps the red wrapper flat and shiny.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid black outer line around the rectangular wrapper, the yellow tabs, and the circles. Keep the top chip-filled lid and the starry red bottom circle attached at their narrow hinges, and do not cut along any of the dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Use an empty pen and a ruler to score every dashed line around the wrapper and the circle hinges. Fold each yellow tab and both circle hinges inward toward the blank white back once to create a crisp crease, then open them again so they are ready for assembly.
5Snip the bottom tabs
Look at the bottom edge of the red wrapper next to the starry base circle. Snip only the short solid lines between those bottom yellow tabs, cutting right up to the dashed fold line so they can fan around the curve. Leave the top row of tabs uncut for now.
6Roll the wrapper
Roll the rectangular wrapper into a tube with the smiling potato crisp artwork facing outside. Put glue on the long yellow side tab to hold the cylinder together from the inside, then run a strip of regular clear tape along the entire outside vertical seam so it stays shut.
7Glue the bottom on
Fold all the snipped bottom tabs inward into the tube. Dab glue onto their outer yellow faces (which are now facing up toward you), fold the starry red bottom circle closed onto the sticky tabs, and press it down firmly so the round base lines up with the rim.
8Tape the bottom
Because craft glue alone does not hold on slick packing tape for long, seal the bottom edge from the outside. Wrap overlapping strips of regular clear tape all the way around the curved bottom rim to lock the starry base circle onto the red can.
9Snip the top tabs
Now move to the open top rim of your potato crisps tube. Snip the short solid lines between the upper yellow tabs right up to the dashed fold line, being careful not to snip the center hinge where the printed chip lid attaches.
10Stuff it
Stand the open chip can upright on your table and keep the round lid folded back out of the way. Push small pieces of plastic bag or fluffy fiberfill lightly through the open top until the cylinder feels springy from the bottom up without bulging the straight sides.
11Glue the lid on
Fold the top yellow tabs inward over the stuffing. Put glue on the outer yellow side of each tab (now facing up), fold the round lid showing the stacked golden crisps down onto them, and press it firmly in place to close up the can.
12Tape the lid
Just like the base, glue alone will not hold on the taped surface. Secure the top rim by wrapping overlapping strips of clear tape all the way around the lid’s edge from the outside so your chip can holds together for good.
13Squish!
Done! Your potato crisps can is ready to play with. Give the bright red tube a squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole.
Free Chip Can 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 4–7). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- The round rims look blocky. Score every dashed line along the top and bottom rows of yellow tabs with an empty pen and a ruler before folding. Well-scored tabs bend cleanly around the circle hinges so the chip can stays nice and round.
- A seam pops open. Glue does not hold on slick packing tape for long. Put a new strip of regular clear tape along the whole vertical or round seam to seal the red wrapper shut.
- The cylinder bulges out of shape. There is too much stuffing inside the tube. Take some filling out before taping the top lid so the red sides stay flat and straight.
- Tape wrinkles on the wrapper. Use shorter strips of clear tape when laminating the motif and sealing the round rims. Lay each piece down gently without pulling or stretching it.
Questions
What comes in the printable chips paper squishy template?
The free PDF includes the potato crisps can in 3 versions: a full-color red sheet, a black-and-white coloring page, and a blank net to draw your own chip flavor. You get both US Letter and A4 sizes, and the finished tube measures about 2.0 × 3.6 in (5.0 × 9.2 cm).
Can I build this chip can using only glue?
No, glue just holds the yellow tabs in place while you build the tube and attach the circles. Because glue does not stick to tape-covered paper for long, every glued seam needs a strip of clear tape from the outside.
What can I stuff my paper squishy chips can with?
Plastic grocery bags give the can a light, crinkly snack sound, while fiberfill makes it soft and pillowy. Stuff the cylinder lightly so the round shape stays neat.
Can I make this potato crisps can bigger?
Yes, you can print the page larger on a bigger sheet of paper using plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) rather than stiff cardstock. Because the wrapper and both round ends are all one connected piece, they will still fit together.
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person, cut tape strips in advance, and plan about 45 minutes. Kids can color the black-and-white potato crisps page while you help with scoring and taping, or pair it with a lemon soda can squishy.
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