- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.0 × 3.5 in (5.2 × 9.0 cm)
Give your craft collection a jolt of fun with this electric blue energy drink can! Featuring bold POWER UP lettering, neon lime lightning bolts, and a grinning kawaii bolt mascot with rosy cheeks, this drink paper squishy template measures about 2.0 × 3.5 in (5.2 × 9.0 cm) when finished. Your free PDF download comes in both US Letter and A4 sizes with 3 versions: full color, a line-art coloring page, and a blank net. Pair it with our lemon soda can squishy for a fizzy desk display!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen energy drink can page at 100% on plain printer paper—make sure to turn off “fit to page” in your print settings. Check the scale bar in the top corner to confirm it measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page version, grab your brightest neon markers and color the lightning bolts and lettering now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Cover the entire energy drink can design with wide clear packing tape, making sure to include the silver top, bottom circle, and all yellow glue tabs. Smooth each strip down from the center outward and don’t stretch the tape as you go, so the blue wrapper stays flat and glossy without curling.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid black outer line of the template. Go slowly around the curves of the silver pull-tab lid and the bottom circle so both stay firmly attached to the main wrapper. Do not cut any of the dashed lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Use your ruler and an empty pen to score along every dashed line, including the short hinge lines where the silver lid and base meet the blue wrapper. Fold every yellow tab and both circle hinges inward toward the white back side once to create a crisp crease, then open them back up.
5Snip the bottom tabs
Look at the bottom edge of the blue wrapper and snip only the short solid lines between the yellow bottom tabs, cutting right up to the dashed fold line. Leave the top row of tabs next to the pull-tab lid uncut for now—those come later.
6Roll the wrapper
Roll the rectangular wrapper into a smooth cylinder with the POWER UP graphic facing out. Put a dab of glue on the long yellow side tab and tuck it inside to hold the tube shape, then run a strip of clear tape vertically along the outside seam from top to bottom.
7Glue the bottom on
Fold all the snipped bottom tabs inward like little petals. Dab glue onto their outer yellow sides (which are now facing up). Swing the attached silver bottom circle onto the sticky tabs and press it firmly so the base of your energy drink can sits nice and round.
8Tape the bottom
Because glue alone won’t hold on taped paper for long, reinforce the base right away. Tape the bottom edge all the way around with overlapping strips of regular clear tape, bridging the silver base and the blue wrapper so no stuffing can poke through.
9Snip the top tabs
Now take your scissors and snip the short solid lines between the yellow top tabs along the upper rim of the can, cutting right up to the dashed fold line while keeping the silver lid attached at its hinge.
10Stuff it
Stand your energy drink can upright and keep the silver pull-tab lid folded back out of the way. Push plastic bag or fiberfill lightly through the open top, filling the cylinder evenly from the bottom up so the sides stay smooth and round without bulging.
11Glue the lid on
Fold the top yellow tabs inward over the stuffing. Apply glue to their outer yellow surfaces facing up, then fold the silver pull-tab lid onto the tabs and press it firmly until it stays in place.
12Tape the lid
Just like the base, glue alone doesn’t hold on tape. Tape the lid’s edge all the way around with overlapping strips of clear tape, pressing them smoothly where the silver lid meets the blue wrapper so the tape holds the can shut for good.
13Squish!
Your energy drink can squishy is ready! Give the sides a good squeeze and watch the cheerful lightning bolt mascot puff right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole so the air escapes gently.
Free Energy Drink Can 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 4–7). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- Keep the can rims round. Score every dashed line along the top and bottom tabs with an empty pen and a ruler before you fold. Crisp creases help the silver lid and base curve smoothly instead of looking boxy.
- Rim seam pops open. Glue doesn’t hold on packing tape, so if the silver lid or base lifts up, put a new strip of clear tape along the whole seam to seal it tight.
- Wrapper bulges out of shape. If the cylinder looks lumpy instead of sleek, there is too much stuffing inside. Take some filling out so the blue wrapper stays flat and stands upright.
- Wrinkles over the lightning graphic. To keep the bright POWER UP lettering shiny and clear, use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on without pulling.
Questions
What can you put in a paper squishy to stuff it?
You can stuff your energy drink can with plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, or use soft fiberfill for a plush bounce. Whatever you choose, stuff it lightly so the cylinder keeps its neat can shape.
Can I use only glue to assemble the can?
No, glue just holds the yellow tabs in place while you build. Because glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper for long, every glued seam gets a strip of clear tape from the outside.
What paper works best for this drink paper squishy?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best because it rolls easily into a smooth tube. Cardstock is hard to fold once it is taped and makes the squishy stiff.
Can I make this energy drink squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the page larger on a bigger sheet of paper. Since the wrapper, lid, and bottom are all one piece, all parts will still fit together.
What other paper squishy drink ideas work for a group craft?
Print one sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance—you can even pair this can with our juice box paper squishy for a fun drink bar! 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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