Move over fidget spinners, there’s a new toy in town! Squishies, originating from Japan, are soft toys made from PU foam which you can squeeze and smush as much as you want, and then watch them slowly return to their original shape like nothing ever happened! If you get down to the nitty-gritty of it, Squishies are essentially stress balls; but they’re way softer and far cuter than any stress ball you’ve ever seen before!

The aim of a stress toy is to help destress the user, which is why it’s no surprise children and adults alike find them soothing. In the social media crazy, online world of today all ages find themselves feeling lonely every now and then. It’s true that there’s no substitute for a real-life embrace, but many adults would be quick to admit that they find joy in snuggling a soft toy, animal, or cosy blanket. So, think of Squishies as a mini version, soothing people of all ages whilst also coming in the shape of your favourite food or animal!

What Is A Squishy?

Squishies come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from emojis to food, some are even scented! The original Squishies from Japan were ‘kawaii’ style (Japanese for cute) and featured characters like Hello Kitty. Now Squishies could be in the shape of anything. If you can think of it, there’s probably a Squishy in the shape of it!

The main selling point of a squishy has to be its unique texture. There’s something oddly satisfying about squeezing and squashing something until it’s flat as a pancake, with the knowledge that it will always pop back up and return to its original shape no matter how hard you try – and believe me, we’ve tried!

Why Do We Love Them?

Squishies seem to have taken over the world, but why are kids (and some adults) going crazy over them? We think it’s down to the comfort they bring, and because they’re so adorable! Humans are drawn to small and cute things, and Squishies fit into both categories comfortably! Their miniature size makes them inherently cute, which means they’re appropriate for all audiences.

There’s no specific demographic for Squishies – other than maybe having a heart – because young and old enjoy playing with these toys! Squishies show how something simple, small and innocent can bring such joy to so many people across the world; you can take them with you everywhere like a pet that you don’t have to feed. You know that you won’t be alone, as you’ll always have your Squishy.

Why not get your own today? Shop the full collection now!

Editors note: This blog was originally published on September 13th, 2018. Updated on December 1st, 2021 to improve the information available.