- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm)
Sitting with its round feet out, this chubby panda features rosy cheeks, pink paw pads, and a tiny pink heart on its chest. Grab the free panda paper squishy template below—the PDF comes in US Letter and A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our teddy bear paper squishy for a sweet bear duo!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your panda 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 picked the coloring page, color the ears, eye patches, and pink paw pads now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the front and back panda pieces only, rather than taping the entire page. Smooth each strip from the middle of the belly out toward the ears and feet without pulling—stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes the paper sturdy and super squeezable.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both panda halves right along the solid black outer line. Take your time curving around the round ears at the top and the two chubby feet at the bottom, making sure to keep 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 clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into that sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper, especially around the curved ears and paws.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back, keeping the unprinted white sides together so the ears and feet match. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press firmly. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ in) gap open on the side, right where the pink line in the illustration shows.
6Stuff it
Shred plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them through the side opening. Tuck tiny pieces up into the round ears and down into the two bottom feet first, then fill the round belly until it feels soft and plump—stop before overstuffing so the seams stay flat.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the side opening and secure the gap with one extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger all around the panda’s outline—from the top tuft of fur down to the paws—to press every seam down tight.
8Squish!
Your cute panda is ready! Give the chubby belly a gentle squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising effect, poke one tiny pinhole into the back so the air escapes slowly.
Free Cute Panda 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
- Flat or wrinkly tape. Lay shorter strips of packing tape across the wide panda belly and smooth them down without pulling so the glossy surface stays completely flat.
- Seam splits on the curves. If an edge pops open around the round ears or chubby feet, press a new short strip of clear tape right across the seam, overlapping the old tape.
- Dark ink smears under tape. If you colored the dark panda patches with markers, wait a little longer before taping so the dark pigment doesn’t streak across the white fur.
- Belly feels too hard. Pry open the side gap, pull out a few pinches of filling from the center, and seal it back up with a fresh piece of tape.
Questions
How do I make a DIY paper squishy panda without glue?
You only need clear tape! After laminating the front and back pieces with wide packing tape, you join the edges using a snipped border of regular tape folded over the seam—glue won’t stick to the slick tape surface anyway.
What paper is best for this panda paper squishy?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Heavy cardstock is too stiff to fold smoothly around the panda’s round ears and paws, and it won’t feel as soft when you squeeze it.
What can I use to stuff my squishy?
Cut-up plastic grocery bags give a fun crinkly feel, while cotton balls or polyester fiberfill make the panda super soft and plush. You can also chop up small bits of memory foam for a slow-rising squish.
Can I print the panda template in a larger size?
Yes! Set your printer scale to 120% to make a jumbo panda, as long as both the front and back pieces stay on the same sheet so they scale equally. At 100%, the finished panda measures about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm).
Are there other cute panda paper squishy ideas to make a set?
You can turn this into a whole snack-and-pet theme by crafting our panda bun squishy right alongside it! They also make a great group or classroom activity—just pre-cut the tape strips and plan for about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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