- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.3 × 1.6 in (5.8 × 4.0 cm)
Serve up the cutest mini feast with this dim sum basket! Designed like a woven bamboo steamer with a bright red banner, the round lid reveals smiling pleated dumplings and golden shumai resting on green leaves. Grab the free paper dumpling squishy template below—the PDF packs 3 versions (full color, a coloring page, and blank) in both US Letter and A4 sizes. Pair it with our single dumpling squishy and ramen cup squishy for a full takeout spread.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your dim sum basket sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper—make sure to turn off “fit to page” in your print settings. Check the scale bar in the top corner: it should measure 2 inches on US Letter or 50 mm on A4. If you picked the coloring page version, color the bamboo slats, red banner, and happy dumplings now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the entire dim sum basket design, making sure you cover all the yellow glue tabs as well. Smooth each strip down from the middle outward so no air bubbles get trapped over the smiling dumpling faces. Avoid stretching the tape as you lay it down so the paper stays flat.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer outline of the steamer net. Go carefully around the curved edges of the top dumpling circle and the woven bamboo bottom circle, leaving both attached to the main wrapper. Do not cut along any of the dashed lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Use an empty pen to score firmly along every dashed line on the wrapper and tabs. Fold each yellow tab and both the top and bottom circle hinges inward toward the blank white side of the paper once, then unfold them again so they are ready for assembly.
5Snip the bottom tabs
Look at the row of yellow tabs along the bottom edge of the bamboo wrapper. Snip only the short solid lines between these bottom tabs, stopping right at the dashed fold line. Leave the top row of tabs next to the red “DIM SUM” banner uncut for now.
6Roll the wrapper
Roll the bamboo wrapper into a tube with the printed artwork facing out, bringing the tied bamboo seam ends together. Put a dab of glue on the yellow side tab, tuck it inside the tube to hold the ring shape, and tape the entire vertical seam from the outside with clear tape.
7Glue the bottom on
Fold all the snipped bottom tabs inward so their yellow sides face up. Dab glue onto those yellow tabs, then swing the woven bamboo bottom circle shut over them. Press the circle firmly against the tabs so the base of your steamer basket sits flat and round.
8Tape the bottom
Since glue alone will not stay stuck to the slick packing tape, reinforce the base right away. Wrap overlapping strips of regular clear tape all the way around the bottom rim, securing the woven base to the bamboo side wall.
9Snip the top tabs
Now take your scissors and snip the short solid lines between the yellow tabs along the top rim of the basket, cutting right up to the dashed fold line so each tab can bend on its own.
10Stuff it
Stand your dim sum basket upright on the table and hold the round dumpling lid folded back out of the way. Stuff small tufts of fiberfill or plastic bag pieces lightly through the open top until the tube feels plump and bouncy without bulging.
11Glue the lid on
Fold the top row of yellow tabs inward over the stuffing so the yellow side faces up. Spread glue across the tops of the tabs, fold the round dumpling lid down onto them, and press it firmly in place to close the steamer.
12Tape the lid
Because glue only holds temporarily on taped surfaces, lock the lid down from the outside. Apply overlapping strips of regular clear tape all the way around the upper rim where the dumpling lid meets the bamboo wall.
13Squish!
Your dim sum basket paper squishy is ready to play with! Give the steamer a gentle squeeze and watch the round shape puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick a tiny pinhole so air escapes gradually.
Free Dim Sum Basket 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
- Keep the steamer rim round. Score the dashed lines along the yellow tabs with an empty pen and a ruler before folding so the top and bottom circles curve smoothly instead of looking boxy.
- Fix a popping lid seam. Glue does not bond permanently to packing tape, so if the dumpling lid lifts up, run a fresh strip of clear tape along the whole seam.
- Avoid a bulging bamboo wall. If the cylinder looks lumpy or the red banner distorts, pull out a bit of stuffing so the sides of the basket stay smooth and flat.
- Smooth tape over the circles. Use shorter strips of regular clear tape around the curved top and bottom rims and lay them down without pulling to prevent wrinkles.
Questions
How do you make a paper dumpling squishy stay closed without popping open?
Glue alone only holds the yellow tabs in place while you assemble the tube, because it cannot stick permanently to slick tape. You must seal every glued seam from the outside with clear tape.
What paper works best for this paper dumpling squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock becomes too stiff once covered with packing tape and makes folding the steamer tough.
What should I stuff my dim sum basket with?
You can use soft fiberfill for a plush bounce or plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel. Stuff the basket lightly so the top and bottom circles keep their neat shape.
Can I make a giant version of this steamer basket?
Yes! Simply print the page larger on a bigger sheet of paper; since the wrapper, lid, and base are attached as one piece, every part will still match up.
Is this paper dumpling squishy craft good for a group or classroom?
Definitely—plan about 45 minutes, print a sheet per person, and cut the clear tape strips in advance. Kids can color the coloring page while you help them with scoring and taping.
More paper squishies to make
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