- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 2.8 × 4.5 in (7.2 × 11.4 cm)
With its glossy red-and-white peppermint stripes, rosy cheeks, and happy little smile, this candy cane paper squishy brings instant holiday cheer to your desk. Download the free printable template in US Letter or A4—it includes 3 versions: ready-to-make full color, a black-and-white coloring page, and a blank outline for your own stripe designs. Pair it with our Christmas tree paper squishy for a sweet handmade gift set.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your candy cane sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper with “fit to page” turned off. Check the scale bar in the top corner to make sure it measures 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page or blank version, color in your peppermint stripes now and let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over both the front and back candy cane pieces, leaving the rest of the sheet bare. Smooth each strip from the center out toward the edges without pulling or stretching—stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes the red-and-white stripes shine like real hard candy and keeps the paper strong.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out the front and back pieces right along the solid black outer line. Keep the narrow white border all the way around, and take your time pivoting the paper inside the tight inner hook of the cane so the curve stays smooth.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge all around, then snip this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper line, especially around the curved top and inner hook.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece directly on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides facing each other. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly, working carefully around the hook. Leave a 3 cm (1 inch) gap open along the straight outer side as shown by the pink line.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small fluffy bits and push them in through the side gap. Guide the first pieces all the way into the curved tip of the hook and the bottom end of the cane before filling the middle. Stop when it feels soft and puffy—packing in too much stuffing can pop the seams.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps neatly over the open side and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger along the entire outline—especially inside the tight curve of the hook—to press every seam down securely.
8Squish!
Your finished candy cane measures about 2.8 × 4.5 in (7.2 × 11.4 cm) and is ready to squeeze! Give it a press and watch the striped pillow puff right back up. If you want an extra slow-rising feel, prick one tiny pinhole into the back.
Free Candy Cane 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
- Tape wrinkles on the stripes. Long strips of packing tape can pull and crease over the tall candy cane shape. Use shorter strips and lay them down smoothly from the center outward without stretching.
- The candy cane feels hard. Packing too much filling into the narrow stem and hook makes the pillow stiff instead of squishy. Open the side gap, pull out a few bits of stuffing, and tape it shut again.
- Red marker smeared under tape. Bright red markers can take a moment to set on plain paper and might streak into the white stripes. Let your coloring dry completely before laying down the packing tape, or use the pre-colored printer version.
- A seam pops on the curve. If the curved top or bottom edge splits open, place a new short strip of clear tape right across the open spot, overlapping the old tape.
Questions
Where can I find more Christmas paper squishy ideas?
Right here in our holiday collection! Once you finish your candy cane, you can make a cozy Santa paper squishy to build a whole festive basket.
Can I use glue instead of tape for this Christmas paper squishy template?
No, glue will not hold the edges together because it cannot stick to the tape-laminated surface. Folding the snipped clear tape border over the edge is the best way to keep the seams shut.
What paper works best?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock makes the curved candy cane shape too stiff to squish nicely.
What can I stuff it with?
You can use cut-up plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a plush pillow, or tiny bits of memory foam for a slow-rising effect.
Can I make these with a class or a group for a holiday party?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and pre-cut the tape strips before you start. Kids can color the striped coloring page while you help with the taping—plan about 30 minutes for the activity.
More paper squishies to make
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