Hey there, squishy enthusiast! Ever gazed at your iPad and thought, "Man, I wish I could just squeeze it?" Well, you can't exactly squish your expensive tablet, but what if I told you we could create something that looks like an iPad and is super squishy and satisfying to hold? Intrigued? Let's dive into the wonderful world of DIY paper squishies!
Making your own iPad paper squishy is a fantastic way to unleash your creativity, reduce stress, and have a super cool, unique "tech" accessory. It's a fun project for all ages, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to achieve a realistic and incredibly squishy result. So, gather your supplies, and let's get started on transforming paper into pure squishy joy!
Step 1: Gather Your Arsenal of Awesomeness (aka Supplies!)
Alright, before we embark on this squishy adventure, we need to make sure we have all our tools ready. Think of it like preparing for a high-tech mission, but instead of lasers, we're armed with glue and tape!
- Paper: You'll need several sheets of plain white paper. Printer paper works perfectly.
- Pencil and Eraser: For sketching out your iPad design.
- Ruler: To ensure straight lines and accurate dimensions.
- Scissors: For cutting out your iPad shape.
- Clear Tape: Lots of it! This is crucial for sealing your squishy and making it durable. Both regular clear tape and packing tape work well.
- Stuffing Material: This is where the magic happens!
- Plastic bags: The classic and most common choice. Cut them into small pieces.
- Cotton balls: For a softer, more pillow-like squish.
- Polyester fiberfill: The kind used for pillows and stuffed animals – super soft!
- Sponge pieces: For a firmer, more resilient squish.
- Old t-shirts/fabric scraps: Cut into small pieces for a dense squish.
- Markers, Colored Pencils, or Crayons: For decorating your iPad screen and back. Think vibrant colors!
- Optional: Laminator and Laminating Pouches: For an extra durable and glossy finish, but not strictly necessary.
Step 2: Designing Your Digital Dream (on Paper!)
Now for the artistic part! We're going to transform a humble piece of paper into the iconic silhouette of an iPad.
2.1: Sketching the Outline
- Determine Your Size: Decide how big you want your iPad squishy to be. A good starting point is around 6-8 inches tall and 4-6 inches wide for a comfortable squish.
- Draw the Rectangle: Using your pencil and ruler, draw a rectangle on your paper that represents the screen of your iPad. Remember to make the corners slightly rounded, just like a real iPad!
- Add the Border: Lightly sketch a thin border around the screen rectangle. This will be the bezel of your iPad.
- Home Button: At the bottom center of the bezel, draw a small circle for the classic iPad home button.
2.2: Bringing the Screen to Life
This is where your iPad truly starts to take shape!
- Choose Your Apps/Wallpaper: Think about what you want your iPad screen to display. Do you want a classic app grid, a beautiful landscape wallpaper, or perhaps a custom message?
- Draw Icons/Details:
- App Icons: Draw small squares or rounded rectangles within your screen area to represent app icons. You can even try to draw simplified versions of popular app logos like YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, etc.
- Time/Date: Add a small digital clock and date at the top of the screen.
- Signal/Battery: Draw tiny icons for Wi-Fi signal and battery life.
- Wallpaper: If you're going for a wallpaper look, draw a simple design or pattern that fills the screen.
- Color It In! Now, grab your markers, colored pencils, or crayons and bring your screen to life! Use bright, engaging colors for your app icons and wallpaper. Don't be afraid to be creative!
Step 3: Cutting, Folding, and Sealing (The Foundation of Squishiness!)
This is where we start building the structure of our squishy. Accuracy here will lead to a better-looking and more durable squishy.
3.1: Cutting Out Your iPad Shape
- Careful Cutting: Carefully cut out your entire iPad design, following the outer edges of the border you drew. Take your time to ensure clean, smooth cuts.
- Create a Back: Now, trace your cut-out iPad onto another clean sheet of paper. This will be the back of your squishy. Cut this out as well. You should now have two identical iPad shapes.
3.2: The Taping Technique (The Magic Seal!)
This is arguably the most crucial step for a long-lasting and squishy result.
- Laminate with Tape (One Side): Take one of your iPad cut-outs (the front) and completely cover the designed side with clear tape. Overlap the tape slightly to ensure there are no gaps. This creates a protective, glossy layer and makes the paper more durable.
- Repeat for the Back: Do the same for the back piece of your iPad.
- Laminate with Tape (Other Side): Flip both pieces over and tape the back sides as well. This double-sided taping creates a strong, sealed surface.
- Trim Excess Tape: Carefully trim any excess tape around the edges of both iPad pieces.
Step 4: Assembling Your iPad (The Squishy Chamber!)
Now we're going to join our two iPad pieces and create a pocket for the stuffing.
- Align and Tape (Three Sides): Place your two taped iPad pieces directly on top of each other, making sure they are perfectly aligned. Take your clear tape and start taping along three of the four edges. Leave one of the shorter edges (either the top or bottom) completely open. This opening is where we'll insert the stuffing.
- Pro Tip: For a really strong seal, you can apply tape to the seam on both the front and back of the squishy.
Step 5: The Squishy Heart (Stuffing Time!)
This is the most satisfying part – giving your iPad squishy its squishy texture!
- Prepare Your Stuffing: If using plastic bags, cut them into small, manageable pieces. The smaller the pieces, the smoother your squishy will feel. If using cotton balls or fiberfill, gently pull them apart to fluff them up.
- Start Stuffing! Begin gently pushing your chosen stuffing material into the open end of your iPad squishy.
- Don't overstuff! You want it to be squishy, not rock hard.
- Distribute evenly: Make sure the stuffing is spread out evenly throughout the squishy for a consistent feel.
- Test the squish: As you stuff, gently press the squishy to gauge its texture. Add more or less stuffing until you achieve your desired level of squishiness.
Step 6: The Grand Finale (Sealing the Deal!)
You're almost there! One final tape job and your iPad squishy will be complete.
- Seal the Opening: Once you're happy with the amount of stuffing, carefully seal the remaining open edge of your iPad squishy with clear tape. Ensure a good, tight seal so no stuffing escapes.
- Reinforce (Optional but Recommended): For extra durability, go over all the taped seams with another layer or two of tape, especially the corners. This helps prevent rips and tears during enthusiastic squishing!
Step 7: Enjoy Your Own Personal (Paper) iPad!
Congratulations! You've successfully created your very own iPad paper squishy. Now, go ahead and give it a good, satisfying squish!
- Admiration: Hold it up, admire your handiwork.
- Squish Away! Feel the satisfying resistance and slow-rise (if you used lighter stuffing) as you squeeze.
- Show it Off: Take a picture and share your awesome creation with friends and family!
You've not only made a cool craft, but you've also learned valuable skills in patience, precision, and creativity. Now you have a fun, stress-relieving item that's also a testament to your DIY prowess!
Frequently Asked Questions about Making iPad Paper Squishies
Here are some common questions you might have after making your first squishy:
How to make my squishy last longer?
To make your squishy last longer, ensure all seams are thoroughly taped and consider adding extra layers of tape around the edges and corners. Using packing tape instead of regular clear tape can also increase durability.
How to make my squishy super soft?
For a super soft squishy, use polyester fiberfill or cotton balls as your primary stuffing material. Avoid overstuffing, as this will make it firmer.
How to make my squishy slow-rising?
Achieving a true slow-rise is tricky with paper and often depends on the stuffing. Using light, fluffy materials like fiberfill or finely shredded plastic bags can give you a more satisfying, slower rebound compared to dense materials.
How to fix a ripped squishy?
To fix a ripped squishy, simply apply more clear tape over the torn area, extending beyond the rip onto the intact paper. Reinforce with multiple layers if needed.
How to make different size iPad squishies?
To make different size iPad squishies, simply adjust the initial dimensions when sketching your iPad outline. You can make mini iPads or giant ones!
How to add a screen protector effect?
To add a screen protector effect, tape a single, slightly larger piece of clear tape directly over the "screen" area after you've colored it, but before laminating the entire piece. This gives a subtle, smooth finish.
How to clean my paper squishy?
To clean your paper squishy, gently wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid submerging it in water or using harsh cleaning agents, as this can damage the paper and tape.
How to store my paper squishies?
Store your paper squishies in a clean, dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. A drawer or a clear container works well to protect them from dust and damage.
How to make the corners more rounded?
To make the corners more rounded, use a small circular object like a coin as a guide when drawing your initial iPad outline. When cutting, take extra care to follow the curved line smoothly.
How to decorate the back of the iPad squishy?
To decorate the back of your iPad squishy, you can draw the Apple logo, add a camera lens circle, or create a cool pattern or design on the second paper cut-out before taping it.
