How badly do you want to squish this thing?
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The toys come in a variety of shapes, colours and forms. Some have a crunch feel, and others rise slowly after being compressed.
PHOTOS: HIROKO MASUIKE/NYTIMES
Nicole Stock
- Squishy toys have become popular for their tactile, stress-relief qualities and low price, sparking a social media-driven collecting and trading craze among all ages.
- Fidget trading, popularised by TikTok creators like Faith Bench, helps users practice communication and decision-making skills through playful exchanges.
- Despite their popularity, safety concerns exist due to materials used and risky trends like microwaving, so buying from reputable sources is advised.
AI generated
NEW YORK – The goop-filled blobs are squeezable, stretchable and squishable. And hunting them down is half the fun.
At 7.30am on a recent Monday morning, Ashley Montan and her eight-year-old son were waiting in line outside a Target in Hackensack, New Jersey, hoping to secure the latest additions to their growing collection of squishy toys. The key, they had found, was to show up right when the store opened.
