How to Make a Squishy DIY Guide

Understanding Squishy Materials and What Makes Them Squishable

A squishy is a soft toy or object that compresses when you apply pressure and returns to its original shape when you release it. The magic behind squishies comes down to the materials used and how they're filled. Most commercial squishies are made from polyurethane foam, which is a flexible, porous material that bounces back after being squeezed. This foam has tiny air pockets throughout its structure, and these pockets are what allow the material to compress and then spring back.

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The most common material for DIY squishies is slow-rise foam or memory foam. Slow-rise foam takes a few seconds to return to its original shape after being compressed, which creates that satisfying squishy feeling that makes these toys so popular. Memory foam is denser than regular foam and holds impressions slightly longer before rebounding. You can purchase foam sheets or foam blocks from craft stores, online retailers, or hardware stores. A standard sheet costs between $5 and $15 depending on thickness and quality.

Another popular DIY squishy material is silicone-based putty, which offers a different texture and feel. Silicone putty doesn't fully compress like foam does; instead, it deforms under pressure and slowly returns to shape. Some crafters use fabric stuffing combined with stretchy material like spandex or minky fabric to create squishies with a different tactile experience. The choice of material affects how your squishy feels, how durable it is, and how long it lasts with regular use.

When selecting materials, consider what feeling you want to achieve. Do you want something that bounces back quickly, or something that slowly reforms? Do you prefer a softer or firmer squeeze? Testing small pieces of different materials helps you understand their properties before committing to a full project. Visit a craft store and feel different foam samples, or order sample packs from online suppliers.

Practical Takeaway: Start by understanding your material options. Purchase a variety of foam types or samples to test how they compress and rebound. This experimentation will guide your material choices for your finished squishy and help you create exactly the feel you want.

Gathering Tools and Supplies for Your Project

Creating a DIY squishy requires a modest collection of tools and materials that you may already have at home. The basic supplies include foam sheets or foam blocks, fabric for the outer covering, scissors or a craft knife, fabric glue or hot glue gun, needle and thread or a sewing machine, and optional decorative materials like paint, markers, or embellishments. Most of these items cost just a few dollars, making squishy crafting an affordable hobby.

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For cutting foam, you'll need sharp scissors or a craft knife with a sharp blade. A serrated bread knife also works well for cutting thicker foam blocks cleanly. When using a craft knife, always cut away from your body and keep your fingers clear of the blade path. If you're concerned about safety, large scissors designed for fabric or craft work are easier to control than knives for most people. A cutting mat protects your work surface and helps the knife or scissors cut more smoothly.

For the outer covering, stretchy fabrics work best. Minky fabric, spandex, fleece, and cotton jersey knit all stretch enough to cover foam shapes without tearing. You'll need enough fabric to wrap around your foam shape with a small overlap for seaming. For a small squishy, you might need only a quarter yard of fabric. Fabric glue holds foam and fabric together, while hot glue guns create quick, strong bonds—though hot glue can sometimes create visible bumps on the surface.

Optional supplies expand your creative possibilities. Acrylic paint or fabric paint lets you add colors and designs to your squishy. Embroidery thread, beads, buttons, and googly eyes add personality and character. A needle with an eye large enough for your thread makes hand-sewing easier, and a sewing machine significantly speeds up seaming fabric pieces together. If you don't own a sewing machine, many fabric stores offer sewing services, or you can hand-stitch using a basic running stitch or whip stitch.

Practical Takeaway: Before starting, gather all supplies in one place. Create a checklist of what you have and what you need to purchase. Most DIY squishy projects cost under $10 in materials. Shopping at discount craft stores or buying supplies in bulk reduces costs for multiple projects.

Step-by-Step Process for Creating a Basic Foam Squishy

The simplest squishy starts with shaping foam and covering it with fabric. Begin by sketching your desired squishy shape on paper. Popular shapes include simple blobs, animals, food items like strawberries or donuts, or cartoon characters. Your first project should have uncomplicated shapes without thin protruding pieces that could tear or break easily. Keep corners slightly rounded since these hold up better to repeated squeezing than sharp points.

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Next, transfer your design onto the foam sheet using a pen or marker. If you want a three-dimensional squishy, cut two matching pieces of foam shaped like your design. These pieces will form the front and back. For a rounder squishy, cut multiple curved pieces that stack together. Use firm, smooth cutting strokes with your scissors or knife. Don't rush the cutting—clean edges look better and are easier to cover with fabric.

Once your foam pieces are cut, test-fit them together before gluing. Stack or position the pieces as they'll appear in the final squishy. Check that edges align and the overall shape looks correct. If adjustments are needed, trim now while you still have options. Small misalignments compound as you add layers, so precision during cutting saves frustration later.

Apply fabric glue or hot glue to foam surfaces, then carefully press pieces together. Hold them for the time specified on your glue container—usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes. While glue dries, prepare your fabric covering by cutting two pieces of stretchy fabric slightly larger than your foam shape. Place foam between the two fabric pieces and glue edges together, either by applying glue around the foam perimeter and pressing fabric onto it, or by gluing fabric pieces to each other, sandwiching the foam between them. Fold and glue fabric edges neatly so they don't show. Trim excess fabric once glue dries completely.

Add details like eyes, nose, or mouth using markers, paint, or sewn-on features. Googly eyes glued on instantly add personality. For painted details, use fabric paint or acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium so it remains flexible and doesn't crack with repeated squeezing. Allow all paint and glue to cure fully—typically 24 hours—before playing with your finished squishy.

Practical Takeaway: Your first squishy teaches you how materials work. Even if it's not perfect, you've learned what works and what needs adjustment. Keep this first squishy and compare it to your tenth—the improvement is dramatic and motivating.

Advanced Techniques for Custom Squishy Designs

Once you've mastered basic squishies, several advanced techniques create more sophisticated designs. Layering different foam densities in one squishy creates varying textures and squishability in different areas. A firmer foam core surrounded by softer foam padding feels different as you squeeze from the center versus the edges. This technique requires more careful foam selection and precise stacking, but produces uniquely satisfying squishies.

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Sculpting foam with carving tools creates detailed features and dimensional surface work. Using a foam carving tool, hot wire, or even carefully applied heat, you can indent patterns, create facial features, or carve realistic textures. A strawberry squishy carved to show individual seeds looks more realistic than a smooth version. This requires practice and patience, but produces impressive results. Start with shallow carvings and work toward deeper cuts as you gain control.

Mixing materials combines squishies with different properties in one toy. A foam body with a silicone putty core creates interesting sensations when squeezed. A foam squishy with crinkly paper or jingle bells sealed inside produces sound along with the tactile experience. Always ensure any internal materials are securely contained so they can't escape. Sealed plastic pouches work well for keeping additions contained.

Color gradients created through careful fabric choice or paint techniques produce eye-catching designs. Sewing multiple fabric colors together creates color-