- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm)
Peeking out of a cracked white eggshell with rosy cheeks, happy arched eyes, and a tiny tuft of feathers, this hatching baby bird is pure sunshine. Grab our free chick paper squishy template in US Letter or A4, featuring 3 versions: full color, a line-art coloring page, and a blank outline. Finished, your pillowy friend measures about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm). Pair it with our yellow duck paper squishy or bunny paper squishy for a cute springtime basket!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chick template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off “fit to page.” Check the scale line in the top corner—it should measure 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page, color the sunny yellow feathers, orange beak, and shaded eggshell now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the front and back chick pieces only, rather than covering the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the center of the round belly outward without pulling—stretched tape tends to wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes your paper strong, shiny, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back pieces carefully along the solid outer line, keeping the narrow white border intact all the way around. Take your time curving around the little wing bumps on the sides and the feather tuft at the very top of the head.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece printed side down onto strips of 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 curved eggshell and top tuft.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back with the white sides together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly around the head and wings. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ in) gap open along the edge (the pink line in the picture shows where) for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them gently through the gap. Fill the far corners first—tucking bits into the top feather tuft and the two side wings—then fill the round eggshell belly until it feels soft and puffy. Stop before too much stuffing makes the seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the edge and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges to make sure the tape is pressed down well.
8Squish!
Your freshly hatched chick is ready! Squeeze its chubby yellow cheeks and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back of the eggshell.
Free Fluffy Chick 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 chick feels too hard. The rounded eggshell belly has too much stuffing. Open the gap, take some out, and tape the edge shut again.
- The tape wrinkles on the belly. Wide yellow areas show creases easily if the tape is pulled tight. Use shorter strips and lay them on gently without pulling.
- A wing edge splits open. The curves where the wings meet the shell take extra pressure when squeezed. Put a new short strip of clear tape across the edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Yellow and orange markers smeared. Let bright markers dry fully on the paper before taping. Standard printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for my chick paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue does not stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the rounded chick body stiff and it will not squish as nicely.
How is this different from a yellow duck paper squishy?
A duck paper squishy usually shows the full swimming bird, while this hatching chick sits tucked inside a cracked white eggshell with a tiny top feather tuft. You can stuff either bird with torn plastic grocery bags for a crinkly feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for softness, or small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squish.
Can I make the chick template bigger?
Yes, you can print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%. Print the front and the back together on the same sheet so they match.
Can I make these paper squishies with a class or a group?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance. Kids can color the chick coloring page while you help with taping—plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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