- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.5 × 4.5 in (8.9 × 11.4 cm)
Swirled with pastel pink, sunny yellow, and sky blue stripes, this cheerful swirl lollipop features a happy kawaii smile with rosy cheeks and a big pink ribbon bow tied around its stick. Grab our free candy paper squishy template in US Letter or A4, which comes in 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline for your own designs. Your finished treat measures about 3.5 × 4.5 in (8.9 × 11.4 cm) and pairs wonderfully with a fluffy cotton candy squishy.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your swirl lollipop at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off “fit to page” in your settings. Check the scale line in the top corner; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the candy stripes and bow now, then let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Cover just the two lollipop 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 creates wrinkles later. This glossy layer makes the pastel swirls shine like real hard candy and keeps the paper strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back lollipop pieces right along the solid outer line, keeping the narrow white border intact all the way around. Take your time turning the scissors smoothly around the big round candy top, and go slowly around the notched ribbon tails and the bottom of the stick.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back lollipop piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will hold your lollipop together around the round top, bow, and stick.
5Join front and back
Lay the front lollipop piece onto the back piece with the white sides together, lining up the bow and stick. Fold each tape flap over the front edge one by one and press firmly. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ in) gap open along the edge—the pink line in the picture shows where to leave your gap for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Tuck tiny pieces all the way down into the far corners of the narrow lollipop stick and ribbon tails first, then fill the round candy head until it feels soft and puffy. Stop before it gets too full so the seams don’t pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the stuffed opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all edges—smoothing over the round candy curve, the bow corners, and the bottom of the stick—to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Your pastel swirl lollipop is ready to play with. Squeeze the round candy top and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole into the back so the air escapes slowly.
Free Swirl Lollipop 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
- Colors smeared on the swirl. Always let marker ink dry completely on the candy stripes and bow before adding packing tape; printer ink is fine right away.
- Seams pop near the bow. The indent between the round candy and the pink ribbon is a tight corner. Place a new short strip of tape right across the split edge, overlapping the old ones.
- The candy feels too hard. It has too much stuffing inside the lollipop. Gently open the gap, take some filling out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Wrinkles on the round swirl. Use shorter strips of packing tape across the round candy and lay them on without pulling.
Questions
What are some fun candy paper squishy ideas for a set?
You can print this swirl lollipop alongside our cute gummy bear squishy to build a whole pretend sweet shop! You can also print the template at a larger scale like 120% (keeping both pieces on the same sheet so they match) to make a giant lollipop.
What paper works best for a printable paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) folds smoothly around the lollipop’s curved edges and squishes best. Heavy cardstock makes the squishy stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
Can I use glue instead of tape to seal the lollipop?
Not for the edges. Glue doesn’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open when squeezed. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What can I stuff my candy paper squishy with?
Use plastic grocery bags for a crinkly and light feel, or choose cotton balls or fiberfill for a soft pillow. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make these lollipops with a class or party group?
Yes! Print one sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance to save time. Kids can color the lollipop coloring page while you help with taping, and you should plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
Pin this tutorial
Save it to your craft board so you can find the free template again.