- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.9 × 3.8 in (9.9 × 9.7 cm)
Covered in shiny pink, yellow, blue, and purple candy pebbles over a bright red center with a happy little smile, this gummy bites paper squishy looks good enough to eat! Grab the free printable template below, which comes in 3 versions—full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline—formatted for both US Letter and A4 paper. At about 3.9 × 3.8 in (9.9 × 9.7 cm), this round gummy cluster is super satisfying to squeeze and pairs wonderfully with a sour gummy bag squishy.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your gummy clusters sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the scale line in the top corner: it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page, color the little candy pebbles in rainbow shades and the center bright red now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the front and back cluster shapes only, not the entire sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle outward without pulling or stretching the tape, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer makes the colorful candy bumps look extra shiny, keeps the paper strong, and makes your craft extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both the front and the back gummy cluster pieces right along the solid black outer line. Take your time following the gentle, bumpy curves around the outside edge, and be sure to leave the narrow white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape so the sticky side faces up. Trim the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the wavy paper edge, then snip into this tape border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. Those little flaps will wrap cleanly around the curved shape to hold your squishy together.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides together, matching up the bumpy outline. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4 cm (1½ inch) gap open at the side (the pink line in the picture shows where) as your gap for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them in through the open gap. Fill the far rounded corners first so the whole candy ball puffs up evenly. Stop when it feels soft and puffy—packing in too much stuffing makes the seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger all the way along the bumpy edges to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Squeeze your rainbow gummy cluster and watch the smiley face puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole in the back.
Free Gummy Clusters 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
- My cluster feels too hard. It has too much stuffing for the round shape to flex. Gently open the stuffing gap, take some filling out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Tape wrinkles over the face. Use shorter strips of packing tape across the round front and lay them on without pulling, smoothing from the center of the smile outward.
- A bumpy edge splits open. The scalloped outline has lots of curves, so put a new short strip of clear tape right across the split edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Rainbow marker colors smeared. Always let bright marker ink on the candy pebbles dry fully before taping; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I make a larger gummy bites paper squishy?
Yes! Print the template sheet at a larger scale, such as 120%, and make sure both the front and back cluster pieces print together on the same page so their bumpy outlines match.
Can I use glue instead of tape for the edges?
Not for the edges. Glue will not stick to the slick, tape-covered paper and the round seams would open, so the snipped clear tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for this gummy bear squishy paper craft?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best for this candy craft. Heavy cardstock makes the bumpy edges stiff, so your cluster won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my gummy cluster with?
Torn plastic grocery bags give a light and crinkly feel, while cotton balls or fiberfill make it super soft. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make a whole candy set with a class or group?
Yes! Plan about 30 minutes, print 1 sheet per person, and cut tape strips in advance so kids can color while you help with taping—it also pairs great with our gummy bear paper squishy.
More paper squishies to make
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