- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.3 × 3.8 in (10.9 × 9.6 cm)
Brighten up your desk with a dreamy rainbow cloud paper squishy featuring soft pastel stripes, rosy cheeks, and a sweet smiling face. Your free printable PDF comes in US Letter and A4 sizes and includes 3 versions: full color, a coloring page to customize the arch, and a blank outline. Pair it with our fluffy cloud squishy or happy star squishy to build a whole sky set.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your rainbow cloud template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale line in the top corner—it should measure 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you chose the coloring page version, color in the rainbow stripes and rosy cheeks now, and let marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the front and back rainbow cloud pieces with wide clear packing tape rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the center outward without pulling, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer protects the pastel colors and makes your finished pillow strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out both the smiling front piece and the matching back piece right along the solid outer line. Take your time following the smooth arch at the top and the bumpy cloud puffs along the bottom, keeping the narrow white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back rainbow cloud piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this tape border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper, paying attention to the curves where the cloud meets the rainbow.
5Join front and back
Put the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides facing together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the edge of the front piece one by one and press them down firmly along the rainbow arch and cloud bumps. Leave a 4.5 cm gap open where the pink line in the illustration shows for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Fill the far corners in the side cloud puffs and the top curve of the rainbow first, then stuff the middle until it feels soft and puffy—stop before it gets too full, or the seams might pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps neatly over the stuffing gap and tape the opening shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along the entire scalloped cloud bottom and smooth rainbow arch to make sure every edge is pressed down well.
8Squish!
Done! Your kawaii rainbow cloud is ready. Give the chubby cheeks a gentle squeeze and watch the pillow puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole into the back of the cloud so air escapes gradually.
Free Rainbow Cloud 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
- My cloud feels too stiff. There is too much stuffing packed inside the rainbow arch. Open the stuffing gap, take some out, and tape the edge shut again.
- The tape wrinkles on the arch. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them across the rainbow without pulling or stretching.
- A cloud bump splits open. Put a new short strip of regular clear tape right across the scalloped edge, overlapping the old strips.
- The pastel markers smeared. Let marker ink dry fully on the paper before adding packing tape. Printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for this emoji paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue does not stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy face design?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the rainbow cloud stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my paper squishy with?
You can use plastic grocery bags for a crinkly and light feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a soft pillow, or small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make the rainbow cloud squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, such as 120%, to get a bigger pillow than the standard 4.3 × 3.8 in (10.9 × 9.6 cm) size. Print the front and the back together on the same sheet so they match.
Can I make these paper squishies with a class or a group?
Yes, plan about 30 minutes for the craft. Print one sheet per person and cut tape strips in advance so kids can color the coloring page while you help with taping.
More paper squishies to make
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