- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.2 × 2.8 in (5.6 × 7.2 cm)
Bring your favorite fruity cafe refresher to your desk with this adorable pink drink paper squishy! Topped with a printed pink straw, floating strawberry slices, glossy ice cubes, and a sweet kawaii face, this 3D cup measures about 2.2 × 2.8 in (5.6 × 7.2 cm) when finished. Grab the free printable PDF in US Letter or A4—it includes 3 versions (full color, coloring page, and blank) and pairs perfectly with our matcha latte paper squishy.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen cup page at 100% on plain printer paper—make sure “fit to page” is turned off. Check the scale bar at the top right; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page or blank version, color in the strawberries, ice cubes, and creamy pink drink now before any tape goes on.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape across the entire pink drink design, making sure to cover both round ends and all the yellow glue tabs too. Smooth each strip outward from the center so bubbles don’t get trapped over the cute kawaii face, and avoid stretching the tape as you lay it down.
3Cut it out
Use your scissors to cut neatly along the solid black outer line of the whole piece. Take your time around the notched yellow tabs and the curved edges of the top lid and strawberry-patterned bottom circle so both circles stay attached to the wrapper. Never cut along any of the dashed lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Run an empty pen along every dashed line—using your ruler on the straight side tab—to score the paper through the tape. Fold each yellow tab and both circle hinges inward toward the blank white back once, press the crease, and then open them back up.
5Snip the bottom tabs
Look at the narrower bottom curve of the cup wrapper and snip only the short solid lines between the yellow bottom tabs, cutting right up to the dashed fold line so the tabs can fan inward around the curve. Leave the top row of tabs by the gray rim uncut for now.
6Roll the wrapper
Curl the curved cup wrapper into a tapered tube with the pink drink artwork facing out. Put glue on the long yellow side tab, tuck it inside the opposite edge to hold the cup shape, and immediately run a strip of regular clear tape along the outside of the vertical seam from top to bottom.
7Glue the bottom on
Fold the snipped bottom tabs inward around the base. Put glue onto their outer yellow surfaces (which are now facing up), then fold the attached strawberry-patterned bottom circle over onto the tabs and press it down firmly so the base sits nice and round.
8Tape the bottom
Because glue alone doesn’t hold on tape, seal the bottom edge all the way around with overlapping strips of regular clear tape. Smooth each piece carefully over the curved rim so the strawberry-patterned base stays securely closed when you squish the cup.
9Snip the top tabs
Now move to the wider top rim of the cup and snip the short solid lines between the yellow top tabs, stopping right at the dashed fold line. Take care not to snip the center hinge where the straw-and-strawberry lid is attached.
10Stuff it
Stand your pink drink cup upright and keep the round lid folded back out of the way. Tuck plastic bag pieces or fluffy fiberfill in through the wide open top, stuffing it lightly from the narrow base up to the rim so the tapered sides puff out smoothly without bulging.
11Glue the lid on
Fold all the top yellow tabs inward around the rim. Apply glue to their outer yellow sides (now facing upward), fold the round lid with the pink straw down over them, and press it firmly into place so the rim lines up all around.
12Tape the lid
Since glue alone won’t hold on tape, lock the lid down with overlapping strips of regular clear tape all the way around the gray rim edge. The tape holds the seam for good so no stuffing can peek out when you squeeze it.
13Squish!
Your kawaii pink drink paper squishy is ready! Give the cup a squeeze and watch the strawberries and ice cubes puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole in an inconspicuous spot so trapped air can escape smoothly.
Free Pink Drink 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 cup rim round. Score the dashed lines with an empty pen and a ruler before folding the tabs. This helps the wider lid and narrower base fold cleanly instead of bending into messy creases.
- Don’t overstuff the tapered shape. Too much filling will bulge the cup out of shape and distort the cute face on the front. Take some stuffing out so the tapered sides stay neat and smooth.
- Fix a popping rim seam. Glue doesn’t hold on slick tape by itself once you start squeezing the cup. If any spot along the lid or bottom edge pops open, put a new strip of clear tape along the whole seam.
- Avoid wrinkles over the face. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on without pulling. Smooth each piece from the middle outward so the glossy ice cubes and blush cheeks stay crystal clear.
Questions
Can I make this pink drink and a coffee paper squishy with only glue?
No, glue only holds the yellow tabs in place while you build the cup. Because glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper for long, every seam needs a strip of clear tape on the outside—both on this fruity cup and on our coffee cup paper squishy.
Can I make my pink drink or paper squishy coffee cup bigger?
Yes! Print the template page larger on a bigger sheet of paper. Since the cup wrapper, lid, and bottom are all one piece, every part scales up together and still fits neatly.
What paper works best for this printable cup template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock is hard to fold around the curved cup tabs once it is covered in packing tape and makes the finished squishy stiff.
What can I stuff my pink drink paper squishy with?
Use plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel or fiberfill for a soft plush squeeze. Either way, stuff the cup lightly so the tapered shape stays neat.
Can I make these cafe drink squishies with a class or group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and cut the clear tape strips in advance. Kids can color the coloring page while you help with scoring and taping—plan about 45 minutes for the activity.
More paper squishies to make
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