- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.1 × 2.8 in (5.4 × 7.0 cm)
Bring movie theater vibes to your desk with this kawaii 2.1 × 2.8 in (5.4 × 7.0 cm) popcorn box! It features classic red-and-white stripes, a smiling popcorn mascot, a funny Squish Facts label on the back, and golden buttery popcorn overflowing on the wider top lid. Grab the free popcorn paper squishy template below, which includes 3 versions (full color, coloring page, and blank) for US Letter and A4 paper. Pair it with a chips bag paper squishy for a full snack bar!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen popcorn 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). Using the coloring page? Color the stripes, hearts, and buttery popcorn now before taping.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the entire popcorn net, covering all the yellow and blue tabs too. Smooth each strip down from the center outward without stretching the tape, so the red stripes and golden popcorn top get a sleek, glossy finish.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid outer black line, keeping all the yellow glue tabs and blue tape tabs attached. Take your time turning the corners around the angled side walls. Do not cut any of the interior dashed fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler along each dashed line—including the slanted wall lines—and trace over them firmly with an empty pen to score. Fold every tab and line inward toward the blank white side once, then unfold it; pre-creasing makes taped paper much easier to assemble.
5Make the walls
Fold the striped walls into a tapered ring with the artwork facing out. Put a dab of glue on the long yellow side tab, press it inside to hold the ring together, and immediately run a strip of regular clear tape along the whole outside seam.
6Close the bottom
Apply glue to the three yellow bottom tabs, fold the smaller popcorn-patterned base square inward, and press the tabs firmly against the inside of the walls. Leave the wider popcorn-filled top lid open so you can stuff the box next.
7Tape the bottom
Because craft glue will not hold onto slick tape for long, reinforce the base right away. Place strips of regular clear tape along every bottom edge from the outside, sealing the entire perimeter of the narrow base.
8Stuff it
Push loose, airy scrunches of plastic grocery bag or small tufts of fiberfill down through the wide open top. Fill the narrow bottom corners first, and stuff lightly so the tapered striped walls stay flat and square rather than bulging out.
9Close it
Tuck the three blue tabs down inside the box and fold the buttery popcorn lid shut over the stuffing. Seal every top edge from the outside with regular clear tape, running the tape along the full length of each edge.
10Squish!
Your popcorn box is ready! Give the striped sides a gentle squeeze and watch the box puff right back into shape. If you prefer a slow-rising feel, prick one tiny pinhole in a seam.
Free Popcorn 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
- Slanted corners look crooked. Because the popcorn box tapers toward the bottom, score the angled dashed lines firmly with a ruler and empty pen before folding so the stripes line up neatly.
- A striped seam pops open. Glue only holds the yellow tabs temporarily and won’t stick to tape on its own. Press a fresh strip of clear tape along the entire outside seam to lock it shut.
- The popcorn box bulges out. Too much filling pushes the flat walls outward. Pull a little stuffing out so the tapered box keeps its crisp square corners.
- Cloudy wrinkles on the red stripes. Work with shorter pieces of packing tape and lay them down gently from the middle outward without pulling or stretching the tape.
Questions
How do you make a popcorn paper squishy without it popping open?
Glue alone doesn’t stick to laminated surfaces for long—it just holds the yellow tabs in place while you build. To keep your popcorn box from popping open when squeezed, cover every glued seam and all the top and bottom edges with clear tape from the outside.
What paper works best for this popcorn paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock becomes too stiff once covered in packing tape and won’t squish or bounce back well.
What should I stuff my paper squishy popcorn box with?
Plastic grocery bags give a fun crinkly sound and light bounce, while polyester fiberfill feels extra soft and plush. Whichever you choose, stuff it lightly so the tapered box keeps its shape.
Can I print the popcorn squishy paper template larger?
Yes! Since the entire tapered box net is one connected piece, you can print the page larger on a bigger sheet of paper and all the tabs and walls will still fit together.
Is this a good craft for a group or movie party?
Definitely—plan for about 45 minutes and pre-cut the clear tape strips for younger crafters. Kids can color the black-and-white popcorn sheet and even make a matching french fries paper squishy while an adult helps with scoring and taping.
More paper squishies to make
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