The Mystery Behind the Squishy Toy Fad: Is the Squishy Hunt Still Going?
If you have kids, chances are you’ve heard about the squishy toy craze.
But here’s the question many parents are asking:Is the squishy toy fad still going, or is the squishy craze finally over? Well, from our family’s experience… the squishy hunt is definitely still going. And honestly, I think the mystery of finding the squishy is half the fun.
How Our Family Started the Squishy Hunt
For our family, this whole squishy toy hunt started as a fun summer scavenger hunt.
What started as something simple quickly became a mission.
We waited in line for 30 minutes.
We memorized the days we thought our local stores received shipments.
We called stores to ask if certain squishies were in stock.
And then we learned something every serious squishy hunter eventually discovers:
Even when the store says they're not in stock, you may still have to go check for yourself.Inventory can change quickly, especially with popular toys. One minute a store may have several on the shelf, and the next minute they're gone. Some mornings at Target within 30 minutes of the store opening.
Don't Forget to Check the Front Counter!
One of the biggest lessons we've learned during our Needoh and squishy hunt is to look beyond the regular toy aisle.
During busy shopping seasons, especially with Christmas right around the corner, I would definitely check the front counter or other areas where stores may place popular or newly stocked toys.
Sometimes you can walk through the toy aisle thinking the store is completely sold out, only to discover squishies somewhere else.
So if you're searching for a viral squishy toy, don't just look where you expect it to be.
Look around!
Which Squishies Are Easy to Find?
There are certain squishies that seem to be more common than others.
Some of the ones we've typically seen include:
🧈 Butter
🍌 Banana
🥕 Carrot
🦆 Ducks
But here's another thing our kids have discovered:
Not every squishy is exactly the same depending on where you buy it.
We've noticed differences between squishies found at Target, Walmart, and Five Below.
Some may have slightly different squeeze factors .So ask to check the squeeze and feel of the squishy toy to make sure it is kid approved (but lets not go crazy a simple squeez should suffice).
The Cat Needoh Hunt was the Hardest
One of our biggest summer missions was finding the Cat Needohs.
We hunted for them for weeks :
We checked stores.
We called.
We looked.
We searched.
And eventually, we finally found them right before school started!After weeks of looking, you can imagine how exciting it was for the kids.
Check it out here: https://www.tiktok.com/@momhustlelife/video/7669137241570151693
That is what makes these hunts so much fun.
It's not just the toy.
It's the story behind finding it.
The Newest Squishies on Our Kids' List
Our latest squishy hunt has included two that my kids really wanted.
The Stitch Squishy from Target
The Stitch squishy at Target was surprisingly easy to find.
Compared with some of our previous hunts, this one didn't require nearly as much detective work it was a empty box but then we found a full one on a different shelf .
The Gummy Bear Squishy
The Gummy Bear squishy from Target was a little trickier.
My husband and I finally found it during the first week of school, when the stores were fully stocked.And honestly, timing seems to matter.Once the kids went back to school and parents went back to work, we noticed that shopping during the daytime could make a difference.
Which brings me to another squishy-hunting tip...
When Is the Best Time to Hunt for Squishies?
If you're trying to find a viral squishy toy, timing may be your secret weapon.
During the summer, kids are out of school and families have more free time. That means more people are shopping during the day and looking for the same popular toys.
Now that school is back in session, parents may have a little more flexibility to shop during weekday hours.
And with the holiday shopping season coming up, I wouldn't wait too long if there's a particular squishy your child really wants.
Christmas shopping can change everything.
Popular toys can become much harder to find once everyone starts holiday shopping.
Is the Squishy Toy Craze Over?
I don't think so.
The popularity may rise and fall depending on the particular character or squishy, but the demand for viral Needoh and squishy toys is definitely still there.
New designs and characters continue to keep kids interested.
And that's really what makes these toys different from a traditional toy trend.
There's always another one to search for,another character or hard-to-find design.
The Real Secret to a Successful Squishy Hunt
After everything we've learned this summer, I think the biggest secret isn't knowing which store has them.
It's changing the way you think about the hunt.
Go for the fun of the search.
Don't expect to find something every time.
Don't get frustrated when the shelf is empty.
And when you finally do find the squishy you've been searching for...
be thankful and enjoy it.
There's enough for everyone to have fun with these toys without turning every popular squishy into a competition.
And yes...
I'm looking at you, resellers. 👀😂
When families are spending weeks searching for a toy their kids genuinely want, it can be frustrating to see popular items disappear because someone bought up a large quantity to resell.
The thrill should be in the hunt — not in taking every single one off the shelf.
Should You Start Your Squishy Hunt Now?
If your child has their eye on a particular Needoh, Stitch squishy, Gummy Bear squishy, or another viral squishy toy, I wouldn't necessarily wait until Christmas.
If you're going to hunt, now may be the time to start looking.Once holiday shopping gets into full swing, popular toys can become harder to find so I wouldn't wait.Is the squishy toy fad over?From what we've experienced...Nope. Not yet!
And who knows what my kids will decide they need to find next!
For now, we're enjoying the hunt and trying not to take it too seriously.
Because at the end of the day, these are just squishy toys.
The memories we're making while searching for them are worth so much more. ❤️
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