- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm)
Stack up a happy sesame bun, wavy lettuce, bright tomatoes, and melted cheddar over a juicy patty with this cute cheeseburger pillow. Download our free burger paper squishy template in US Letter or A4—the PDF includes 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Once stuffed, your finished cheeseburger measures about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.1 × 9.4 cm) and pairs wonderfully with a french fries squishy for a complete paper meal.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your cheeseburger sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper with “fit to page” turned off. Check the scale line in the top corner to make sure it measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the golden sesame bun, green lettuce, red tomatoes, yellow cheese, and brown patty now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape right over the front and back burger pieces rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle of the bun out toward the sides without pulling or stretching, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes your cheeseburger sturdy, shiny, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back cheeseburger pieces along the solid black outer line, keeping the small white border intact all the way around. Take your time steering the scissors smoothly around the rounded top dome of the sesame bun and the slightly wavy side bumps where the lettuce and patty stick out.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back burger piece printed side down onto strips of sticky-side-up tape. Cut the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge all around, then snip into this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will wrap smoothly around the curved bun and wavy sides.
5Join front and back
Line up the smiling front piece on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides together. Fold the sticky flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly around the top dome and sides. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ inch) gap open where the pink line shows in the picture so you can stuff your burger.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them in through the open gap. Fill the far corners first, pushing bits up into the curved top of the sesame bun and out into the side lettuce bumps before filling the middle. Stop once the cheeseburger feels soft and puffy—too much stuffing will make the seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the stuffed opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges of the bun and bottom to press the tape down well so no stuffing can peek out.
8Squish!
Done! Give your kawaii cheeseburger a big squeeze and watch the puffy layers puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole in the back of the burger so the air escapes gently.
Free Cheeseburger 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 burger feels too hard. If your cheeseburger won’t squish down easily, it has too much stuffing inside. Open the gap, take some out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles across the sesame bun. Tape wrinkles when it gets pulled tight while you lay it down. Use shorter strips across the wide burger and lay them on without pulling.
- A side bump splits open. The wavy edges around the lettuce and patty take extra pressure when squeezed. Put a new short strip of clear tape right across the split edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Marker colors smeared under tape. Bright red tomato and dark brown patty markers need a moment to set on paper. Let your markers dry fully before taping; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for a burger paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the burger seams would open up when squeezed. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a hamburger paper squishy?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best for a soft, squeezable result. Cardstock makes the rounded burger shape too stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I use to stuff my paper squishy burger?
Plastic grocery bags give a light and crinkly feel, while cotton balls or fiberfill make it soft and plush. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make the cheeseburger squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%, and print the front and the back together on the same sheet so they match.
Can I make this craft with a class or a group?
Yes—print 1 sheet per person, cut tape strips in advance, and plan about 30 minutes so kids can color the coloring page while you help with taping. For a fun diner set, the group can also craft a pizza slice squishy alongside their cheeseburgers.
More paper squishies to make
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