Quick Scoop

A slow-rising squishy is usually made by using a soft foam base and sealing it with multiple layers of flexible, puff-style coating so air gets trapped inside and it rebounds slowly. Common DIY examples use memory foam or similar sponge material, then 3 to 5 coats of puffy paint or a flexible craft finish; one tutorial notes that more layers help create the slow-rise effect, and that a small air-release hole can improve the final feel.

What you need

  • Foam or sponge base, ideally memory foam or a sponge without large holes.
  • Puffy paint or another flexible, drying craft coating; one creator specifically says acrylic paint alone can crack the squishy.
  • Scissors and tape if you are making a paper-style version.
  • Optional stuffing such as cotton, foam scraps, or similar soft fill for paper or balloon-style versions.

Basic method

  1. Cut your shape from foam, or build a paper shell around stuffing if you want a paper squishy.
  1. Cover the surface with the flexible coating in thin layers, letting each layer dry before adding the next.
  1. Add 3 to 5 layers for a slower rise and smoother finish.
  1. If the squishy feels too tight or overfilled with air, make a tiny hole in the bottom to let some air out.
  1. Let it dry fully before using it, or the surface may tear or feel sticky.

Better results

  • Use softer foam with smaller pores for a more even finish.
  • Build up layers slowly instead of trying to make it perfect in one coat.
  • If you want a paper version, seal the edges well and leave a small opening for stuffing first.
  • Balloon-and-flour style squishies are also popular for a very slow-rise feel.

Safety note

Keep craft materials away from small children unless supervised, and avoid using anything that can harden, crack, or leak easily if squeezed often. If you want the result to last, flexible coatings are safer for the squishy’s texture than rigid paint.

Example

A simple starter version is: cut a small foam shape, coat it with puffy paint in several thin layers, let it dry between coats, then test the bounce and add one more layer if the foam texture still shows through.

Bottom line

The easiest way to make a slow-rising squishy is to start with soft foam and build up several layers of flexible coating until the air is trapped enough to rebound slowly. Paper and balloon versions work too, but the foam-and-puffy- paint method is the most common DIY route in the examples I found.