- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 1.7 × 2.8 in (4.4 × 7.0 cm)
This sunny yellow juice box comes complete with a smiling orange, a winking apple, a striped bendy straw printed on the lid, and a cute “Squish Facts” nutrition panel on the back. Grab our free juice box paper squishy template in US Letter or A4—the PDF includes 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank box for your own flavor designs. Once taped and stuffed, your boxy little drink measures about 1.7 × 2.8 in (4.4 × 7.0 cm) and looks adorable next to a strawberry milk squishy.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off “fit to page” in your print settings. Check the scale bar at the top right: it should measure exactly 2 inches (or 50 mm on A4). If you picked the black-and-white coloring page or blank carton, color in the apple, orange, and fruit slices with markers or pencils now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape across the entire printed juice box net, including all the yellow and blue tabs. Smooth each strip down from the center outward without stretching the tape so the glossy finish over the fruit artwork stays completely flat and wrinkle-free.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid black outer border of the template, making sure to keep all the blue top tabs and yellow glue tabs attached. Take your time around the angled corners of the tabs, and never cut into the dashed interior fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Place your ruler along every dashed line—between the main carton panels, around the top straw lid, and along every tab—and trace firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold each scored line and tab inward toward the blank white back once, then unfold it again; pre-creasing now gives your juice box crisp corners despite the thick tape.
5Make the walls
Fold the main wall panels into a rectangular ring with the fruit artwork facing out, lining up the fruity side panel with the front “JUICE” panel. Dab glue onto the yellow side tab, press it inside to hold the ring together, and run a strip of regular clear tape along the outside of that vertical seam from top to bottom.
6Close the bottom
Apply glue to the yellow tabs at the bottom of the carton, fold the orange blossom base flap in, and press the tabs firmly to the walls from the inside so the bottom sits flat. Leave the top lid with the striped straw and blue tabs wide open so you can fill the box.
7Tape the bottom
Because glue alone will not hold on slick, tape-covered paper, reinforce the base right away. Place strips of regular clear tape along the outside of every bottom edge, sealing each seam along its full length so no stuffing can poke through the bottom of your juice carton.
8Stuff it
Push small, loose scrunches of plastic grocery bag or fluffy fiberfill down through the open top of the carton. Fill the bottom corners first, then work your way up, stuffing lightly so the tall juice box keeps its flat front and back rather than bulging out of shape.
9Close it
Tuck the blue tabs inward at the top and fold the striped straw lid down over them to close the carton. Seal every top edge from the outside with strips of regular clear tape along the full length of the edge.
10Squish!
Your fruity drink is ready! Give the carton a good squeeze and watch the sides puff right back into shape. If you want a slower, smoother rise when you let go, prick a tiny pinhole into a seam so the air escapes gradually.
Free Juice 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
- Keep the tall sides flat. A juice box looks best with a boxy rectangular profile, so avoid packing the middle too tightly. Pull a little stuffing out if the front “JUICE” panel starts to bulge.
- Crisp corners on the lid. The top panel with the striped straw meets narrow edges, so score those dashed lines firmly with your ruler and empty pen before folding. Sharp creases make taping the blue lid tabs shut much easier.
- A vertical seam pops open. Glue only holds the yellow tabs briefly while you assemble the carton. If a long side edge separates when you squeeze, press a fresh strip of clear tape along the entire outside seam.
- Wrinkles over the fruit art. Stretching wide packing tape causes ripples across the bright yellow background. Cut shorter strips and lay them down gently from the middle outward without pulling.
Questions
What can you use to stuff a paper squishy?
Plastic grocery bags give your juice box a fun, crinkly feel and pop back quickly, while polyester fiberfill makes it extra soft and plushy. Whichever you choose, put in loose, light pieces so the rectangular box doesn’t bulge out of shape.
Can I build this juice box with only glue?
No, glue won’t stick for long to tape-covered paper. You only use glue on the yellow tabs to hold the carton steady while you seal every glued seam from the outside with clear tape.
What paper works best for a drink paper squishy?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock becomes too stiff once covered in packing tape and is hard to fold.
What other paper squishy drink ideas go well with this?
You can craft a whole lunchbox drink collection by pairing your juice carton with a lemon soda can squishy. Print the blank version of this template too if you want to draw grape, peach, or berry juice flavors!
Can I make these with a class or party group?
Yes, plan about 45 minutes for the activity. Print a template sheet per person and pre-cut strips of clear tape in advance so kids can color the coloring page while you help with scoring and taping.
More paper squishies to make
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