- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 4.1 in (9.1 × 10.4 cm)
Math class gets a whole lot cuter with this smiling calculator paper squishy! Designed with a butter-yellow casing, a blushing mint-green display screen, pastel pink and blue buttons, and even a little battery cover on the back, it measures about 3.6 × 4.1 in (9.1 × 10.4 cm) when finished. Grab the free printable template in US Letter or A4, featuring 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank design. Pair it with a laptop paper squishy for a full desk set!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your calculator template at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the scale line in the top corner: it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page or blank version, color the buttons and screen now—you can even write fun numbers on the keys! Let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the two calculator pieces with wide clear packing tape, rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the center outwards without stretching the tape, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer makes the pastel buttons shine and keeps your squishy strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out the front and the back along the solid outer line. Take your time around the rounded corners of the calculator and make sure to keep the narrow white border all the way around both pieces.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the yellow back piece printed side down onto strips of 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, including around the curved corners. These little flaps will wrap around to hold the squishy together.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides facing together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them firmly into place. Leave a gap of about 3.5 cm (1½ in) open along the edge (the pink line in the picture shows where) so you have room for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Poke the filling into the far corners by the green screen and the bottom edge first, then fill the center until the keypad feels soft and puffy. Stop before it gets too full so the seams don’t pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges and rounded corners of the calculator to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Give the pastel keypad a big squeeze and watch your calculator squishy puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole in the back battery cover area so the air escapes gently.
Free Calculator 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
- The keypad feels too hard. Your calculator has too much stuffing inside. Open the gap, take some out until it feels soft, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles across the screen. Tape wrinkles happen when the strip is pulled tight while laying it down. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on across the screen and buttons without pulling.
- A rounded corner splits open. Curved corners take the most pressure when you squish. Put a new short strip of clear tape right across the edge, overlapping the old ones to lock it down.
- Smudged button colors. Let markers dry fully on the keypad before taping. Printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape?
Not for the edges. Glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the calculator seams would open when squeezed. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the calculator stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my calculator squishy with?
Plastic grocery bags make it crinkly and light, while cotton balls or fiberfill feel soft and plush. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make this calculator squishy bigger or part of a desk set?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%, keeping the front and the back together on the same sheet so they match. You can also craft a smartphone paper squishy to complete your tech collection.
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Yes, this calculator is a fun math-class or group activity! Print one sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance so kids can color the coloring page while you help with taping; plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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