- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.1 × 3.8 in (10.4 × 9.7 cm)
Fluffy white fur, glossy pink toe beans, and a tiny blushing face on the main pad make this cat paw paper squishy irresistible to squeeze. Download the free cat paw paper squishy template in US Letter or A4, featuring 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. All you need is paper, tape, and a handful of stuffing to bring these kitty beans to life. Pair it with our chubby cat paper squishy for the ultimate feline desk buddies!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your cat paw sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure “fit to page” is turned off. Check the scale line in the top corner—it should measure 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page or blank version, color the fur and toe beans now—try a calico pattern or pastel pads—and let marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Laminate the front and back paw graphics with wide clear packing tape—just cover the two pieces, not the whole sheet. Smooth each strip from the center of the pink pad outward toward the toes without stretching the tape, because pulled tape will wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes your paper squishy shiny, sturdy, and ready for lots of squeezing.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both the front and back paw shapes along the solid black outer line. Take your time curving around the four rounded toes at the top and the slight dips along the sides, making sure to keep the narrow white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back paw printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape, sticky side facing up. Trim the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper—including around the rounded toes—so the little flaps can fold smoothly.
5Join front and back
Line up the front paw right on top of the back piece, white sides together, matching the four toes carefully. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4 cm (1½ in) gap open along the flatter bottom edge (shown by the pink line in the illustration) for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them in through the bottom gap. Poke small pieces up into the four rounded toe tips first before filling the wide central pad. Stop when the paw feels plump and soft—overstuffing will make the curved seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the bottom edge and seal the stuffing gap shut with one extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly around all the scalloped toe edges and the base to make sure every seam is pressed down tight.
8Squish!
Your kitty paw is ready! Give the pink pad a big squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising effect, prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back of the paw so the air escapes slowly.
Free Cat Paw 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
- Paw feels too hard?. If the central pad feels stiff instead of bouncy, you packed in too much filling. Gently open the bottom gap, pull out a few tufts of stuffing, and seal the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles across the pink pad?. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them down gently without pulling. Smoothing from the middle of the face outward keeps the glossy surface flat.
- Seam splitting between the toes?. The dips between the four toes take the most pressure when you squeeze. Reinforce any popping spot by placing a fresh short strip of tape right across the edge, overlapping the old flaps.
- Smeared blush or outlines?. If you colored the paw yourself, let felt-tip markers dry completely before adding tape so the pink pads stay crisp. Standard printer ink is ready to tape right away.
Questions
What can I stuff my cat paw paper squishy with?
Tear up plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, or use cotton balls and fiberfill for a plush pillow. For a slow-rising squish, stuff the paw with tiny bits of memory foam.
Can I use glue instead of tape for my cat paw paper squishy?
No, glue won’t stick to the laminated tape surface, so the scalloped toe seams would pop right open. Folding a snipped clear tape border over the edges holds the pillow together securely.
What paper works best for a cat paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal because it bends easily around the rounded paw shape. Heavy cardstock is too stiff and won’t feel squishy.
Can I print the cat paw template bigger?
Yes! The finished paw is about 4.1 × 3.8 in (10.4 × 9.7 cm), but you can scale the print up to 120% as long as both front and back print on the same sheet. You can also craft a matching set with our cute puppy paper squishy.
Is this a good craft for a classroom or party?
Definitely! Print 1 sheet per kid and pre-cut the tape strips in advance; plan about 30 minutes for everyone to color, tape, and stuff their paws.
More paper squishies to make
Pin this tutorial
Save it to your craft board so you can find the free template again.