- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.3 × 1.4 in (5.8 × 3.6 cm)
This cute 3D paper dumpling squishy box looks just like a tiny takeout pack, complete with smiling dumplings nestled in a tray on top, chopsticks on the front, and a fun Squish Facts label on the back. You get a free printable template in 3 versions (color, coloring page, and blank) formatted for both US Letter and A4 paper. Pair it with a single dumpling paper squishy or a dim sum basket squishy to build a whole kawaii food set!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your dumpling box sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the scale bar in the corner—it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page version, color the red side panels, cream dumplings, and green onion bits now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Laminate the entire dumpling box net with wide clear packing tape, making sure to cover all the yellow and blue tabs too. Lay each strip down gently and smooth it out from the center toward the edges without stretching the tape, keeping the red and cream panels glossy and wrinkle-free.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer line of the template, keeping every yellow glue tab and blue tape tab attached. Take your time around the angled corners of the tabs, and be careful not to cut into any of the dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler with each dashed line and trace firmly along it using an empty pen to score the paper. Fold every tab and box panel inward toward the white back side once, then open it again. Pre-creasing now makes the taped paper much easier to shape into a crisp rectangular box later.
5Make the walls
Bring the long strip of main panels around into a rectangular ring with the cute dumpling illustrations facing outside. Dab a little glue on the small yellow tab at the end, press it inside to hold the ring, and then seal that entire vertical seam from the outside with a strip of regular clear tape.
6Close the bottom
Apply glue to the yellow tabs framing the red heart-and-steam bottom panel. Fold the bottom flap in and reach inside the box to press those tabs firmly against the inner walls. Leave the top lid with the tray of smiling dumplings and blue tabs completely open for filling.
7Tape the bottom
Since glue alone won’t hold on slick tape for long, reinforce the base from the outside. Run strips of regular clear tape all the way along every bottom edge where the red patterned base meets the front, back, and side walls so no stuffing can poke through.
8Stuff it
Push loose, airy scrunches of plastic grocery bag or small tufts of fiberfill in through the open top. Gently guide the filling into the corners behind the front Dumplings logo and the Squish Facts back panel, stuffing lightly so the box stays square around 2.3 × 1.4 in (5.8 × 3.6 cm) with flat sides.
9Close it
Fold the blue tabs inward and close the top lid with the smiling dumplings down over the opening. Hold the lid snug against the walls and tape every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape, covering the full length of each edge.
10Squish!
Your kawaii dumpling box is done! Give the sides a gentle squeeze and watch the little carton puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy when you squeeze it, prick one tiny pinhole so the air can escape and refill.
Free Dumpling 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 messy. Score every dashed line firmly with an empty pen and a ruler before you fold. Crisp creases keep the rectangular takeout box looking sharp around the front label and top tray.
- A side seam pops open. Glue does not hold on tape. Put a new strip of clear tape along the whole seam on the outside.
- The Squish Facts panel bulges. There is too much stuffing inside the box. Take some filling out so the front and back walls stay flat.
- Wrinkles over the red panels. Wrinkles show up easily against the solid red background. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on without pulling.
Questions
How do you make a dumpling squishy out of paper without it popping open?
Glue only holds the yellow tabs in place while you build the box, because it doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper for long. Every glued seam and the blue-tabbed top lid gets a strip of clear tape from the outside along the whole edge.
What paper works best for a paper dumpling squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock is hard to fold once it is taped and makes the squishy stiff.
What can I stuff my dumpling box squishy with?
Plastic grocery bags (crinkly and light) or fiberfill (soft) both work great. Stuff lightly so the rectangular box shape stays neat.
Can I make this paper dumpling squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the template page larger on a bigger sheet of paper. All parts of the box net are one piece, so they always fit together.
Can I make these paper squishies with a class or group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance. Kids can color the coloring page while you help with scoring and taping—plan about 45 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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