Paper spaghetti on a plate

What you'll need

• 100–120 gsm printer paper, scissors, ruler, paper glue and narrow clear tape. Let glue dry before continuing. Ask an adult for help with small parts and tools. Also prepare yellow tissue paper for 12 noodles. Do not put tissue paper into the printer. This open plate is not a filled squeeze toy.

Assembly overview

1. Choose A4 or US Letter. Print single-sided at 100% / Actual size, with Fit to page off. Measure the 50 mm test line. Colour the colouring version before cutting. Copy the part codes onto the white backs. 100–120 gsm printer paper, scissors, ruler, paper glue and narrow clear tape. Let glue dry before continuing. Ask an adult for help with small parts and tools. Also prepare yellow tissue paper for 12 noodles. Do not put tissue paper into the printer. This open plate is not a filled squeeze toy.
2. Cut from the separate full-size template PDF. Solid boundaries are cut lines. Dashed lines mark the specified folds or overlap limits. J is the printed glue face; keep each tab attached.
3. 1. Cut and identify the faces: W1 and W2 together form ONE plate wall. Cut B and the annular rim R; remove R's centre. Cream is the printed face, white is the reverse. 2. Join the first overlap: Apply a thin layer of glue to W1's printed J face. Cover it with W2's plain end up to the dashed limit. Keep both printed faces on the same side; press and dry. 3. Keep the long arc open: The two strips now form one flat arc of about 241°, with one joined overlap and two free ends. Do not close each half strip into its own small ring.
4. 4. Close the second overlap: Curve the long strip into a shallow wall. Put W2's J underneath W1's plain end to the limit. Press from both open sides. B is not installed yet. 5. Check the empty wall: The complete wall has a 110 mm top and 92 mm bottom opening, 10 mm high. Both side overlaps are fixed. B is still separate. 6. Fit B and bridge the seam: Place B cream-side inward against the 92 mm opening. View the white underside: tape first onto B, then fold onto the OUTSIDE wall. Each short tape piece must cross the joint.
5. 7. Finish the bottom seam: Continue all around B with slightly overlapping short pieces of clear tape. Press each piece onto both surfaces. Leave no unsupported or untaped edge. 8. Attach R at its INNER edge: Keep R printed-side up. Align its 110 mm hole with the wall's top. Tape across R's INNER edge onto the INSIDE wall. The outer 8 mm rim overhangs freely. 9. Complete the empty plate: Finish and press the tape around the inner rim. Check the recessed bottom, sloping wall and open annular rim. Do not add noodles yet.
6. 10. Twist one tissue noodle: Trace G onto yellow tissue: 180 × 12 mm. G is a tracing guide, not a noodle. Gently twist the strip into a soft cord; do not wind it into a hard rod. 11. Make twelve noodles: Repeat for 12 soft tissue cords, about 2–3 mm thick. Bend gently without sharp folds. Adjust the gentle twist to the tissue you use. 12. Arrange the noodles: Loosely curve and overlap the 12 noodles inside the plate. Leave the plate open: no stuffing or top seal. This version has no sauce or garnish.