- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.3 × 1.0 in (6.0 × 2.5 cm)
Pack the cutest paper lunch with this pastel pink and mint green bento box paper squishy! Topped with a smiling onigiri rice ball, a tiny octopus sausage, tamago rolls, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes among sakura blossoms, it works wonderfully when you want a sushi paper squishy template. Your free PDF download comes in US Letter and A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank template. Pair it with our ramen cup paper squishy for a full meal!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your bento box template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check that the scale bar measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page version, grab your markers and color the onigiri, octopus sausage, veggies, and sakura petals right now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape across the entire printed bento box net, making sure to cover all the yellow and blue tabs too. Smooth each strip outward from the center so the clear window lid and pink BENTO lettering look glossy and bubble-free, and take care not to pull or stretch the tape.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer line all the way around the T-shaped bento template, keeping every yellow glue tab and blue tape tab attached. Take your time around the tab corners, and make sure you do not cut into any of the interior dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler along each dashed line and trace over it firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold every tab and box edge inward toward the blank white side once, then unfold it flat again; pre-creasing now is essential because laminated paper gets tough to bend once the box takes shape.
5Make the walls
Bring the long strip of pink and green sakura side walls around into a rectangular ring with the artwork facing out. Dab a little glue onto the small yellow tab at the end of the strip, press it inside to connect the loop, and run a strip of regular clear tape along the outside seam.
6Close the bottom
Spread glue over the yellow tabs framing the green sakura-patterned bottom panel. Fold that bottom flap in to meet the side walls and press the glued tabs firmly against the inside of the ring so the base sits flat. Leave the top bento food lid wide open so you have room to stuff.
7Tape the bottom
Since craft glue will not stick to slick packing tape for long, reinforce the base right away. Lay strips of regular clear tape along every bottom edge from the outside, running the tape the full length of each seam so the green blossom base stays securely attached when you squeeze the box.
8Stuff it
Tuck small, loose scrunches of plastic grocery bag or fluffy pinches of fiberfill in through the open top. Push the filling gently into the corners first so the rectangular lunchbox keeps its crisp, boxy shape and the side panels with the Squish Facts label do not bulge out.
9Close it
Bend the blue tabs inward and fold the clear-window bento food lid down over the stuffing. Hold the lid flush with the pink walls and seal every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape along its entire length, locking the onigiri and side dishes neatly in place.
10Squish!
Your kawaii bento box paper squishy is ready! Give the finished 2.3 × 1.0 in (6.0 × 2.5 cm) lunchbox a gentle squeeze and watch the stuffed sides puff right back up. If the air is completely trapped and you want a slow-rising feel, prick one tiny pinhole into a corner seam.
Free Bento 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 4–6). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- Box corners look rounded. Score every dashed line between the pink side walls and the lid firmly with your ruler and empty pen before folding. Sharp creases keep the rectangular lunchbox looking crisp instead of puffy.
- Lid seam pops open. Glue alone cannot hold against laminated surfaces once the stuffing pushes back. Press a fresh strip of regular clear tape along the entire outside edge of the bento lid.
- Bento tray bulges upward. Too much filling makes the flat food window dome out of shape. Pull out a few pinches of fiberfill or plastic bag so the sides stay flat.
- Wrinkles over the onigiri. Long strips of packing tape can twist when you lay them across the wide T-shaped template. Use shorter pieces and smooth them on from the center without pulling.
Questions
Can I use this as an onigiri or sushi paper squishy template?
Yes! The top of this bento box features a big smiling onigiri rice ball alongside classic Japanese lunchbox sides, making it a fun 3D box option when you are searching for a sushi paper squishy.
Can I put this bento box together using only glue?
No, glue only holds the yellow tabs steady while you assemble the walls and base. Because glue will not stay stuck to slick tape-covered paper, every glued seam needs regular clear tape on the outside.
What paper works best for a paper squishy sushi box?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) folds cleanly and squishes nicely. Heavy cardstock becomes too stiff once covered in packing tape and is tough to crease along the small tabs.
What stuffing works best for this rectangular shape?
You can fill it with loosely crumpled plastic grocery bags for a crinkly sound or soft fiberfill for a plush bounce. Just stuff it lightly so the flat bento sides stay neat.
Can I craft this with a group or make a bigger lunch set?
Definitely—plan about 45 minutes for a group, pre-cut the tape strips, and let kids color the black-and-white version, or print it larger on a bigger sheet of paper. You can also pair it with our dumpling box paper squishy for a full paper feast!
More paper squishies to make
Pin this tutorial
Save it to your craft board so you can find the free template again.