- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 3.9 in (9.3 × 9.9 cm)
With its chubby gray body, cream tummy, rosy pink cheeks, and tiny orange webbed feet, this baby penguin paper squishy is irresistible to squeeze. Download the free printable template in US Letter or A4, which gives you 3 versions: ready-to-make color, a black-and-white coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our fluffy chick paper squishy or sea turtle squishy for an adorable animal collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your baby penguin template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check that the test line in the top corner measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page version, color the penguin’s feathers, beak, and feet now—soft pastel blue or lavender looks super cute instead of gray—and let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Place strips of wide clear packing tape over only the front and back penguin pieces, rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the middle of the chubby belly outward without pulling or stretching the tape, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes your paper penguin strong, shiny, and wonderfully squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back penguin shapes right along the solid outer line, keeping the small white border intact all the way around. Take your time curving around the 2 bumps of the orange feet at the bottom so both pieces match up neatly.
4Add a tape border to the back
Set 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 sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper, paying attention around the curved head and little feet. These small flaps will wrap around to hold the squishy together.
5Join front and back
Line up the front penguin piece on top of the back piece with the white sides facing each other. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly, working around the rounded head and bottom feet. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ in) gap open on the side, right where the pink line in the picture shows, so you have room for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and gently push them in through the side gap. Fill the far corners first by poking pieces down into the 2 little orange feet and up into the top of the head before filling the round belly. Stop once your penguin feels soft and puffy, since too much stuffing can make the taped seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the side opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along the entire penguin outline, especially the dip between the feet, to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Your chubby baby penguin is ready to play—give its round tummy a good squeeze and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back of the penguin so the air escapes slowly.
Free Baby Penguin 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
- Split seam near the feet. If an edge pops open around the curved bottom or the dip between the 2 orange feet, place a new short strip of clear tape across the split, overlapping the old tape.
- My penguin feels too hard. A stiff belly means there is too much stuffing inside. Gently open the side gap, take some filling out, and tape the seam shut again.
- Wrinkles across the cream belly. Creases show up easily on the bright cream tummy if the packing tape was pulled tight. Use shorter strips and lay them on gently without pulling.
- Dark gray marker smudged. Heavy marker ink on the dark feathers takes a moment to set and can smear under tape. Always let your markers dry fully before taping, though printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I make a penguin paper squishy with glue instead of tape?
Not for the edges. Glue does not stick to tape-covered paper, so your penguin’s seams would pop open when squeezed. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds the rounded shape best.
What paper works best for this penguin paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the chubby penguin body too stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my paper squishy with?
You can fill your penguin with plastic grocery bags for a crinkly and light feel, or cotton balls and fiberfill for a soft squish. Small pieces of memory foam also work well if you want a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make the baby penguin bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%, and print the front and back together on the same sheet so they match. At 100% scale, the finished penguin measures about 3.6 × 3.9 in (9.3 × 9.9 cm).
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Yes, they make a great winter group activity. Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance. Kids can color the penguin coloring page while you help with taping, which takes about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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