- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.5 × 3.8 in (11.4 × 9.7 cm)
With its rosy pink belly, heart-sparkle eyes, and frilly side gills, this cute axolotl paper squishy is ready to brighten up your desk. Download the free PDF to get 3 versions of the template: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline in both US Letter and A4 sizes. Once stuffed, your squishy measures about 4.5 × 3.8 in (11.4 × 9.7 cm). Pair it with our capybara paper squishy or chubby frog squishy for an adorable animal collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your axolotl template at 100% scale on plain printer paper—make sure to turn off “fit to page”. Check the scale line in the top corner; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the gills, belly, and tail now, and let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the two axolotl pieces with wide clear packing tape instead of taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the middle outward without pulling, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This smooth layer makes your paper shiny, strong, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both the front and back pieces right along the solid black outer line. Take your time curving around the 3 frilly gills on each side, the little bottom feet, and the curled tail, making sure to keep the small white border intact.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip this border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper so the little flaps fold smoothly around the curvy gills and feet.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides facing together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down around the gills and head. Leave a 4.5 cm (1¾ in) gap open along the side where the pink line in the picture shows your gap for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Fill the far corners like the gill curves, feet, and tail tip first, then stuff the round belly until it feels soft and puffy—stop before it gets too tight so the seams don’t pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the stuffing gap and tape it shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges, pressing the tape down well around the gills and bottom paws so every seam is secure.
8Squish!
Done! Give the chubby belly a gentle squeeze and watch your pink water buddy puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole in the back so the air escapes slowly.
Free Axolotl 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
- Tape wrinkles on the gills. Wide packing tape can crease across the wide face and frilly gills if stretched. Use shorter strips and lay them on smoothly without pulling.
- The belly feels too hard. An overstuffed axolotl won’t squish nicely and might pop a seam. Gently open the stuffing gap, take some filling out, and tape the edge shut again.
- An edge splits near the tail. Curved spots like the tail and feet take extra pressure when you squeeze them. Put a new short strip of clear tape right across the split edge, overlapping the old tape.
- Pink marker ink smeared. Dark eye details or bright gill colors can smudge if taped while damp. Let markers dry fully before laying down the packing tape; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
How do I use the axolotl paper squishy template?
Download the PDF and print it at 100% on plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb). Cover both axolotl pieces with clear packing tape, cut them out along the solid line, join the edges with a snipped tape border, and stuff the shape before taping the gap shut.
Can I use glue instead of tape for my cute axolotl paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would pop open when you squeeze it. Folding the snipped tape border over the edge holds best.
What paper and stuffing work best for paper squishies?
Use plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb), as cardstock makes the squishy stiff. Stuff it with plastic grocery bags for a crinkly feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a soft pillow, or small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make the axolotl squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%. Make sure to print the front and the back together on the same sheet so both pieces match.
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Yes, it’s great for groups! Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance; kids can color the coloring page while you help with the taping. Plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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