- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.9 × 3.8 in (9.9 × 9.7 cm)
With its golden-brown coat, creamy belly, rosy cheeks, and tiny pink paws tucked against its chest, this round little pet looks ready for a snack. You can make your own hamster paper squishy in about 20 to 30 minutes using our free printable PDF, which includes 3 versions (full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline) in both US Letter and A4 sizes. Pair it with our capybara paper squishy or bunny paper squishy for a cute small-pet collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen hamster page at 100% scale on plain 80–100 gsm (20–24 lb) printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale line in the top corner to confirm it measures exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the fur, belly, and little pink paws now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape directly over the front and back hamster pieces rather than covering the whole sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle of the chubby belly outward toward the furry edges, taking care not to pull or stretch the tape so it won’t wrinkle later. This glossy coat makes your paper strong, shiny, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out both the front and back pieces right along the solid black outer line. Take your time curving around the small rounded ears at the top, the fluffy cheek tufts on the sides, and the two little feet at the bottom. Be sure to leave 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 so the sticky side faces up around the perimeter. Trim the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will wrap neatly around the hamster’s round curves.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides facing each other, matching the ears and bottom paws. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4 cm (1½ inch) gap open on one side, right where the pink line in the picture shows, for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small, fluffy bits and push them through the side gap. Tuck the first pieces up into the rounded ears and out into the wide, chubby cheeks before filling the round belly. Stop when your hamster feels soft and puffy—packing in too much filling can make the taped seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the open side to hold the stuffing inside, then place an extra strip of regular clear tape right across the gap to seal it shut. Run your finger firmly around the entire curved outline, from the ears down to the pink toes, to make sure every flap is pressed down well.
8Squish!
Your plump little pocket pet is finished and measures about 3.9 × 3.8 in (9.9 × 9.7 cm)! Give its round belly a gentle squeeze and watch the cheeks puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole into the back so the air escapes slowly.
Free Hamster 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
- Chubby cheeks feel too hard. If the round body feels stiff instead of squishy, you packed in too much filling. Gently peel open the side gap, pull out a few tufts of stuffing, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles across the creamy belly. Stretched packing tape tends to bunch up over the wide tummy area. Use shorter strips and lay them down gently without pulling as you smooth them out.
- Seam pops near the ears. The curves around the little ears and bottom paws can split if a flap lifts up. Place a fresh short piece of clear tape right across the open spot, overlapping the old tape.
- Smudged pink blush or fur. Marker ink on the coloring page can smear if you tape over it while it is still damp. Always let your colors dry completely before laminating, whereas printer ink is ready right away.
Questions
How do you make a hamster paper squishy without glue?
You don’t need any glue for the edges—in fact, glue won’t stick to tape-covered paper and the seams would quickly pop open. Instead, a snipped border of clear tape folded over the curved edges holds the front and back together securely.
What paper works best for a printable paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is the best choice. Heavy cardstock makes the round hamster body too stiff, so it won’t squish and puff back up nicely.
What can I use to stuff my hamster squishy?
You can use torn plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, or cotton balls and fiberfill for a soft, cuddly tummy. Small pieces of memory foam also work great if you want a slow-rising squishy.
Can I print the hamster template in a larger size?
Yes! Simply set your printer scale higher, such as 120%, and print the front and back together on the same sheet so both halves match up.
Can I make these with a classroom or party group?
Definitely—just print 1 sheet per person and pre-cut the tape strips before you start. Kids can color their own hamster designs while an adult helps with the taping, and the whole activity takes about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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