- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.5 × 3.0 in (11.4 × 7.6 cm)
Two best friends in one squishy! This sports ball paper squishy pairs a rosy-cheeked soccer ball and a smiling orange basketball side by side in a single 4.5 × 3.0 in (11.4 × 7.6 cm) pillow. Grab the free printable soccer ball paper squishy template below in US Letter and A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our stress ball squishy for a fun desk set!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your sports ball template at 100% scale on plain printer paper with “fit to page” turned off. Check the scale line in the top corner to make sure it measures 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the basketball orange and fill in the black soccer pentagons now, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the front and back sports ball pieces with wide clear packing tape instead of taping the whole sheet. Smooth each strip from the center of the two faces outward toward the rounded sides without stretching it, since stretched tape wrinkles later. This clear layer makes your squishy glossy, sturdy, and extra satisfying to squeeze.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and the back along the solid black outer line. Keep the narrow white border all the way around both balls, and pivot your scissors smoothly at the top and bottom center dips where the soccer ball and basketball meet.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back piece printed side down on strips of regular clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip that sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper around the curved sides and the center dips so the little flaps fold cleanly.
5Join front and back
Place the front piece on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides together, lining up the soccer ball and basketball curves. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the edge of the front one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4.5 cm (1 ½ in) gap open along one curve as shown by the pink line in the illustration.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them in through the open gap. Fill the far rounded side first, then tuck stuffing into the other ball so both sides puff up evenly. Stop when the pillow feels soft and plump, because overstuffing makes the taped seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps neatly over the stuffing gap and seal it shut with one extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along the entire outer curve and the two center dips to press all the tape edges down well.
8Squish!
Your sports ball duo is ready to play! Give both smiling balls a big squeeze and watch them bounce right back into shape. If you want a slow-rising paper squishy, prick one tiny pinhole in the back so the air escapes gently.
Free Sports Ball 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 squishy feels too hard. If the two balls feel stiff instead of pillowy, there is too much stuffing inside. Gently peel open the gap, pull out a few pieces of filling, and tape the edge shut again.
- The tape wrinkles across the faces. Stretched packing tape leaves ripples over the wide rounded shape. Use shorter strips and lay them down lightly from the center outward without pulling.
- The center dip splits open. The indent between the soccer ball and basketball takes extra pressure when you squeeze. Place a new short strip of clear tape right across that dip, overlapping the old tape.
- Black or orange marker smeared. Dark soccer patches and bright orange ink need a moment to set before laminating. Let markers dry fully before adding tape, while regular printer ink is ready right away.
Questions
How do you make a squishy ball with paper?
Instead of crumpling paper into a hard sphere, you print a flat front and back template on plain 80–100 gsm (20–24 lb) paper, laminate both pieces with clear packing tape, join the edges with a snipped tape border, and stuff the pillow with cotton or plastic bags. It puffs up into a soft 3.0 in (7.6 cm) tall cushion that bounces back when squeezed.
Can I use glue instead of tape for the round edges?
No, glue will not stick to the tape-covered paper, so the curved seams around the balls would pop open when you squeeze it. Folding the snipped tape border over the edge holds the pillow together securely.
What can I stuff my paper squishy ball with?
You can use torn plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, or cotton balls and fiberfill for a plush cushion. Small pieces of memory foam also work well if you want a slow-rising fidget.
Can I make this sports ball squishy bigger?
Yes, you can print the sheet at a larger scale such as 120%. Just make sure to print the front and back together on the same page so both halves match up.
Can I make these with a team or classroom group?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per child and pre-cut the tape strips before you start. Kids can color the soccer ball and basketball while you help with the taping; plan about 30 minutes, and you can even add our dice paper squishy for a full game-day craft table.
More paper squishies to make
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