- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.7 × 3.7 in (9.4 × 9.3 cm)
This chubby spotted cow paper squishy is sitting down with its pink hooves out, showing off a sweet pink snout, a tiny heart on its chest, and a swishing tail on the back. Grab the free printable template below in US Letter or A4, which includes 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline to draw your own patches. It makes the sweetest desk buddy, especially when you pair it with a fluffy sheep squishy!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your spotted cow sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the test line in the top corner—it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the spots, hooves, and snout now, then let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Cover just the two cow pieces with wide clear packing tape rather than taping the entire page. Press each strip down from the middle and smooth it outward without pulling—stretching the tape causes wrinkles later. This glossy coat makes your spotted cow strong, shiny, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back pieces right along the solid outer line, keeping the narrow white border intact. Take your time curving around the little horns, floppy ears, and the bumpy hooves along the bottom so both silhouettes match up cleanly.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back piece (the side with the tail) printed side down on 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. These little flaps will hold your squishy together.
5Join front and back
Put the front piece right on top of the back, with the white paper sides together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down flat, taking care around the ears and hooves. Leave a 4 cm (1½ in) gap open along one side (shown by the pink line in the picture) for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them in through your side gap. Fill the far corners first—tucking bits into the horns, ears, and bottom hooves—then stuff the round belly until it feels soft and puffy. Stop before it gets too tight so the seams don’t pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the open gap and tape it shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges of the cow’s outline—especially between the hooves and ears—to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Give your spotted cow’s chubby belly a squeeze and watch it puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back so the air escapes slowly when you squish it.
Free Spotted Cow 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
- The cow feels too hard. There is too much stuffing packed inside the round belly. Open the side gap, take some out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Tape wrinkles on the face. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them on gently without pulling.
- A hoof or ear splits open. Put a new short strip of clear tape right across the curved edge, overlapping the old ones to lock the seam.
- Dark spots smeared under tape. Always let dark brown or black markers dry fully before taping; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for my cow paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open. The snipped clear tape border folded over the edge holds the front and back together best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy cow?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Heavy cardstock makes the cow stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my paper squishy with?
Plastic grocery bags give a light and crinkly squish, while cotton balls or fiberfill feel super soft. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make the cow template bigger?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale, for example 120%, and print the front and back together on the same sheet so they match. At 100% scale, the finished cow is about 3.7 × 3.7 in (9.4 × 9.3 cm).
Can I make these farm squishies with a class or group?
Yes—plan about 30 minutes, print 1 sheet per person, and cut tape strips in advance so kids can color the coloring page while you help with taping. You can even pair the cow with our fluffy sheep squishy for those looking for a paper squishy sheep to build a whole farm crew!
More paper squishies to make
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