- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.7 × 3.9 in (9.4 × 9.9 cm)
This cute nugget box paper squishy features crispy golden nuggets heaped inside a classic red-and-white striped carton with a happy blushing face. Grab the free printable template below—it comes in 3 versions (full color, coloring page, and blank) formatted for both US Letter and A4 paper. Pair your finished snack with a french fries squishy and a ketchup bottle squishy for the ultimate handmade fast food combo!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your nugget box template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the test line in the top corner—it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the carton stripes and golden nuggets now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the front and back nugget box pieces with wide clear packing tape, rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the middle outward without pulling or stretching it, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer makes the paper strong, shiny, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out both the front and back pieces right along the solid black outer line. Take your time following the bumpy curves around the top of the nuggets and the angled corners of the striped carton. Be sure to keep the narrow white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Cut the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will hold your squishy together around the wavy nugget top and straight box sides.
5Join front and back
Put the front piece directly on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the edge of the front piece one by one and press them firmly down around the nuggets and carton sides. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ inch) gap open where the pink line shows in the picture for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic grocery bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through your open gap. Fill the far corners first—tucking stuffing up into the bumpy nugget top and down into the bottom of the carton—and stop when it feels soft and puffy. Too much stuffing makes the seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps neatly over the open edge and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges—especially around the curved nugget top and bottom box corners—to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Give the striped nugget box a big squeeze and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, gently prick one tiny pinhole into the back of the carton so the air escapes slowly.
Free Nugget Box 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
- Bumpy nugget edge splits open. The wavy outline along the top of the nuggets has tight curves. If an edge splits open there, put a new short strip of clear tape right across the edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Carton feels too hard. Packing too much stuffing into the box makes it feel hard. Gently open the stuffing gap, take some out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles on the red stripes. Pulling packing tape tight causes wrinkles across the flat front of the carton. Use shorter strips and lay them on gently without pulling.
- Golden and red colors smeared. Bold marker colors for the nuggets and stripes need a moment to set on plain paper. Let your markers dry fully before taping; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for this paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue does not stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams on your nugget box would open. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a printable paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the nugget box stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my nugget box squishy with?
You can use plastic grocery bags for a crinkly and light feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a soft squish, or small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make this fast food paper squishy bigger, or make a burger too?
Yes! The finished carton is about 3.7 × 3.9 in (9.4 × 9.9 cm), and you can print the page at a larger scale like 120% (print the front and back together on the same sheet so they match). You can also make a cheeseburger paper squishy if you are looking for a burger paper squishy template!
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance. Kids can color the nugget box coloring page while you help with taping—plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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