- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.3 × 3.8 in (10.9 × 9.6 cm)
With its happy closed-eye smile, rosy pink cheeks, and glossy green shell, this sea turtle paper squishy looks like it just paddled up to say hello. Download the free printable template in US Letter or A4 to get 3 versions: ready-to-make full color, a line-art coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our axolotl paper squishy or tropical fish squishy to craft a whole ocean crew.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print the sea turtle sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper and turn off “fit to page.” Check the scale bar in the top corner so it measures 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the shell segments in shades of green and add rosy cheeks now, then let marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the front and back turtle pieces only, not the whole sheet. Smooth each strip from the middle of the round shell out toward the flippers without stretching it, since pulled tape wrinkles later. This glossy coat makes your paper strong, shiny, and satisfying to squeeze.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back sea turtle pieces right along the solid black outer line, keeping the narrow white border intact. Take your time curving around the top dome of the shell and the two little dips between the stubby flippers and the tan belly.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back shell piece printed side down onto strips of tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge all the way around, then snip into that sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper so the flaps follow the round shell and flippers.
5Join front and back
Line up the smiling front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides together. Fold the snipped tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly around the dome and flippers. Leave a 4.5 cm (1¾ inch) gap open where the pink line shows in the picture for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic grocery bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them through the open gap. Tuck the first pieces into the far side of the shell and down into the two stubby front flippers, then fill the center until the turtle feels soft and puffy without straining the seams.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps neatly over the stuffing gap and seal the edge shut with 1 extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly around the entire shell and both flippers to make sure every flap is pressed down tight.
8Squish!
Your chubby sea turtle is ready to squeeze! Give the round shell a gentle press and watch it puff right back up. If you want an extra slow-rising feel, prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back of the shell so the air escapes slowly.
Free Sea Turtle 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
- Flippers look flat. Push tiny bits of stuffing down into the two rounded bottom flippers first before filling the main dome of the shell.
- Tape wrinkles on the shell. Use shorter strips of packing tape across the wide green shell and lay them down smoothly without pulling.
- Seam splits near the flippers. Place a new short strip of clear tape right across the open edge, overlapping the old flaps to seal it shut.
- Green marker ink smudges. Let dark green and brown markers dry completely on the shell segments before laying down the clear packing tape.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for this sea turtle squishy?
Not for the edges, because glue won’t stick to tape-covered paper and the seams would pop open. The snipped border of clear tape folded over the edges holds the front and back sea turtle pieces together best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock is too stiff to fold cleanly around the round shell and won’t squish nicely once stuffed.
What can I use to stuff my sea turtle squishy?
You can use torn pieces of plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a plush pillow, or tiny bits of memory foam for a slow-rising squish.
Can I make this sea turtle paper squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale like 120%, making sure to print the front and back together on the same sheet so they match. At 100% scale, the finished turtle measures about 4.3 × 3.8 inches (10.9 × 9.6 cm).
Can I make these with a class or a group?
Definitely. Print 1 sheet per person and pre-cut the tape strips in advance; kids can color the turtle coloring page while you help with taping, so plan about 30 minutes.
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