- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.3 × 4.5 in (8.5 × 11.4 cm)
This glossy cherry-red gummy bear has sparkly kawaii eyes, rosy cheeks, and stubby little paws that look extra cute once puffed up. With our free gummy bear paper squishy template, you get 3 printable versions in both US Letter and A4: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. The finished squishy measures about 3.3 × 4.5 in (8.5 × 11.4 cm). Pair it with our gummy worms paper squishy for a sweet handmade candy collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your gummy bear sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper with “fit to page” turned off. Check the scale line in the top corner to make sure it measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page version, color the bear in your favorite fruity shade now and let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the front and back gummy bear pieces with wide clear packing tape instead of taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle of the belly out toward the ears and paws without pulling—stretched tape causes wrinkles later. This clear layer gives the gummy bear its signature jelly shine and makes it strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back bears right along the solid outer line. Take your time curving around the round ears, chubby arms, and bottom feet, and be sure to keep the small white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape so the sticky side faces up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will wrap cleanly around the curvy bear outline to hold your squishy together.
5Join front and back
Put the front bear on the back piece with the white paper sides together, lining up the ears and feet. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ in) gap open where the pink line shows in the picture so you have room for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them in through the open gap. Poke tiny bits up into the round ears and down into the stubby feet first, then fill the belly until it feels soft and puffy. Stop before it gets too full—too much stuffing makes the curved seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps neatly over the opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger all around the ears, sides, and paws to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Give your gummy bear’s chubby belly a squeeze and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole in the back of the bear.
Free Gummy Bear 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 4–5). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- The bear feels too hard. There is too much stuffing packed inside the belly. Gently open the gap, take some filling out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles across the shiny belly. Packing tape wrinkles when it gets pulled during taping. Use shorter strips and lay them gently across the bear without stretching.
- An edge splits near the paws. The curves around the ears, arms, and feet take pressure when squeezed. Put a new short strip of tape right across the split edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Marker colors smeared under tape. Markers need a moment to set on plain paper, while printer ink is fine right away. Let your colored gummy bear dry fully before adding the packing tape.
Questions
How do I make a gummy bear paper squishy in different flavors?
Use the coloring page included in our printable PDF! You can color a whole rainbow of bears in cherry red, lemon yellow, lime green, or orange, or even pair them with a gummy candy bag squishy.
Can I use glue instead of tape for this gummy bear paper squishy?
Not for the edges—glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open when you squeeze the bear. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a gummy bear paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) folds smoothly around the bear’s round ears and paws. Cardstock makes the squishy stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my gummy bear squishy with?
Plastic grocery bags give it a light, crinkly feel, while cotton balls or fiberfill make it soft. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make these gummy bears with a class or group?
Yes, plan about 30 minutes for a group activity! Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance so kids can color the coloring page while you help with taping.
More paper squishies to make
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