Dumpling Paper Squishy Template

Colorful paper squishy dumpling with a pleated dough edge and a smiling face

Round, soft and wrapped in pleats – the dumpling is a favorite for kids who love food squishies. Stuffed with cotton it feels like a freshly steamed one, minus the soy sauce stains.

✂️ What’s in the Template

The PDF has a dumpling about 5 inches wide with a friendly face on the front and a pleated seam on the back. You also get the same design to color and a page of mini dumplings.

At a Glance

Group
Dumplings & Asian Food
Size
about 4–5.5 in
Pages
3 × A4
Craft time
20–30 minutes
🧺 What You Need
  • Printer and regular printer paper (US Letter or A4)
  • Scissors
  • Wide clear packing tape (or laminating sheets)
  • Stuffing: cotton balls, yarn or paper scraps
  • Crayons or markers for the coloring version

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Print at 100% (turn off “fit to page”). Color the B/W version first.
2
Cut out the front and back along the outer line – the white border is the tape edge.
3
Cover both pieces with wide clear tape, overlapping the strips slightly, and smooth them out.
4
Place the front and back together exactly (colored sides out).
5
Tape all around the edge, leaving about 1 inch open where it says “leave open here”.
6
Stuff with cotton, yarn or paper scraps – not too full – and tape the opening shut. Done!

💡 Tips

  • The pleats are the best part, so don't cut too close to the edge.
  • Wool fills the round shape more evenly than cotton.
  • Smooth the tape along the seam so the edge looks neat.
  • Keep the face untouched when stuffing – push the filling in from the bottom.

🎨 Color Ideas

Classic dough
Soft beige and cream with a slightly darker shade along the pleats.
Spinach dumpling
A pale green wrapper makes it stand out from the crowd.
Pink party dumpling
Pink and purple cheeks, dots and a glitter pen – a dumpling nobody has ever seen.

🔄 Variations

Dumpling plate
Lay several colors on a paper plate for pretend dim sum.
Keychain
Punch a hole in a mini dumpling and thread a ribbon through it.
Dim sum menu
Set up a pretend restaurant and offer your squishies as the menu.

Safety: Stuffing and tape are not for children under 3. Never use real food or scented oils as stuffing.

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Why families love PureSketchy:

  • Completely free: Every squishy template with no sign-up, no newsletter, no subscription.
  • Color and B/W: Each template comes ready in color and as a coloring version – plus minis.
  • Kid-tested: Printed, cut out, taped shut and stuffed with yarn – it works.
  • Regular printer paper: No cardstock, no special paper, no laminator needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I get the pleats to look good?
Draw short strokes along the edge with a slightly darker pencil for depth.

Will it fit in a lunch box?
Yes, at about 5 inches it travels well and the tape keeps its shape.

Can I stuff it with rice?
Please don't – use cotton, wool or paper scraps. No real food as filling.

Is the download free?
Yes, all templates on PureSketchy are 100% free for personal, preschool and classroom use – no sign-up needed.

Is there a German version?
Yes! You can find the German version here: Dumpling-Squishy.