"Squishy" toys are a fast-growing trend featuring a soft, plush texture and slow rebound when squeezed. This article explores why they have become popular among children and teens and reveals guidance for safe purchasing.
The "Squishy" toy has gone viral again after several years, becoming a massive trend. These soft, slow-rebounding toys are now popular not only with children but also teens and collectors, turning into rare items that many are willing to spend significant money to own.
For parents or newcomers, "squishies" are sponge-like toys known for their softness and high flexibility. When squeezed, they slowly return to their original shape, a feature called "slow rebound" that is a key purchase factor. They also often have sweet scents matching their shape, such as bread, strawberry, or chocolate aromas.
One reason for their renewed popularity is nostalgia, as many teens and adults recall toys from their childhood. Additionally, social media trends on TikTok and Reels featuring squishy squeezing or reviews with satisfying squishy sounds have created a soothing, stress-relieving effect, fueling the current craze.
The Thairath Online special team visited Mega Plaza Saphan Lek, a large toy market, to explore the squishy trend. They found squishies sold almost everywhere in the mall, mostly shaped like snacks, food, and animals, with children and teens as the primary customers.
Conversations with local vendors revealed unanimous agreement that the squishy trend is strong and sales have surged significantly in the past month.
"The trend is very strong now, and prices have risen sharply, including imported products from Japan and China," said the owner of The Crystal Toys.
Market research shows the highly demanded squishies fall into two main categories:
1. Boxed or branded items, especially the iBloom brand from Japan, lauded within the community as the "Hermès of squishies" for its beautiful design, fine texture, and slow rebound, making it a valuable and rare collectible.
2. Food and snack-shaped squishies such as butter sticks, melon bread, strawberry cake, or croissants, which are popular both for their satisfying squeeze and realistic appearance used for display.
While squishies are stress-relieving and collectible toys, the current surge in popularity has led sellers to offer advice and precautions for buyers:
1. Check prices carefully before buying, as price inflation occurs, especially for rare or branded items. Comparing prices across stores helps avoid overpaying.
2. Beware of counterfeit products. Extremely cheap squishies might be made from substandard materials, imitations lacking slow rebound, or easily damaged.
3. Safety: Parents buying for young children should select squishies with safety certifications or known brands and verifiable manufacturers. Since these toys often have food-like scents, uncertified products may contain harmful chemicals or peelable paint, posing risks if children put them in their mouths or swallow them.
Once you enter the world of squishies, it’s hard to leave—but you can enjoy collecting safely by choosing wisely and staying informed.