- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.1 × 3.7 in (10.4 × 9.4 cm)
With its rosy pink cheeks, happy closed eyes, and big cream-colored belly, this lime-green frog paper squishy is ready for a squeeze. The finished pillow measures about 4.1 × 3.7 inches (10.4 × 9.4 cm) and comes as a free printable template in US Letter and A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our yellow duck paper squishy for a sweet pond-themed craft afternoon!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chubby frog template at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the test line in the top corner—it should measure 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the frog’s green body, pink cheeks, and cream belly now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover just the front and back frog pieces with strips of wide clear packing tape, rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle of the round belly outward without pulling or stretching the tape, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer makes the paper strong, shiny, and wonderfully squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both the front and back frog shapes right along the solid black outer line. Take your time curving around the two bumps on top of the head and the little toes at the bottom, making sure to keep the narrow white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip that sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper so the little flaps fold neatly around the curved eyes and legs.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white insides together, matching up the eyes and feet. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the edge of the front one by one and press them firmly. Leave a 4 cm (1½ inch) gap open on the side as shown by the pink line in the illustration for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them inside through the open gap. Tuck small pieces into the top eye bumps and bottom feet first before filling the wide round belly. Stop once the frog feels soft and plump—packing in too much stuffing can pop the tape seams.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the opening and seal the gap shut with one extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly around the entire outline, from the top of the head down to the toes, to make sure every flap is pressed down tight.
8Squish!
Your chubby frog is ready to play with! Give its round belly a big squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising feel, prick one tiny pinhole into the back so the air escapes slowly.
Free Chubby Frog 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 frog belly feels too hard. If the round belly is stiff and won’t squish, it has too much stuffing inside. Gently peel open the side gap, pull out a few pieces of filling, and tape it shut again.
- Wrinkles across the wide body. If the packing tape wrinkles over the wide green body, try using shorter strips next time. Lay each piece down gently and smooth it out without pulling.
- A seam pops near the toes. Curved spots around the bumpy eyes or feet can sometimes lift open when squeezed. Just press a short new strip of clear tape right across the edge, overlapping the old tape.
- Green or pink marker smeared. Bright marker colors on the cheeks and body need a moment to set, so let them dry fully before taping. Regular printer ink on the color template is ready to tape right away.
Questions
How do you make a cute frog paper squishy without glue?
You only need clear tape! Glue will not stick to tape-covered paper and the seams would split open, so folding a snipped tape border over the edges is the best way to hold the front and back together.
What paper works best for this printable template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) gives the best squish. Heavy cardstock is too stiff and won’t let the round frog belly puff up nicely.
What can I use to stuff my frog paper squishy?
Cut-up plastic grocery bags give a fun crinkly feel, while cotton balls or fiberfill make it super soft. You can also use tiny bits of memory foam if you want a slow-rising toy.
Can I print the frog template bigger?
Yes, you can scale the print setting up to 120% if you want a jumbo frog. Just make sure the front and back print together on the same sheet so both halves match.
Can I make this craft with a class or party group?
Definitely! Print 1 sheet per child, pre-cut the tape strips, and plan for about 30 minutes. You can even set out our axolotl paper squishy too so kids can pick their favorite pond friend to color and tape.
More paper squishies to make
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