If you have a kid anywhere between elementary and high school, you already know: squishies are no longer just a toy; they are literally a full-blown obsession. They’re also extremely hard to find. So naturally, what started as a simple squishy trend has turned into something much bigger, known as NeeDoh hunting. While NeeDoh is the main brand, there are many others, such as RMS dumplings, Speks, Taba Squishy, Sunny Days, and more.
Since they are so hard to find, it has become an obsession and kids are now tracking them down like it’s a competitive sport.
Certain stores restock randomly, word spreads fast, and suddenly you’ve got groups of moms making stops just to check if any came in. Part of the appeal is that they’re calming and fun to fidget with, but now there’s a whole other aspect: the thrill of the find. When something is hard to get, kids want it even more. Finding a NeeDoh or any other squishy in the wild feels like an instant victory, and finding a rare one is definitely elite status, especially those glittery RMS “rare” dumplings.
Walking into my classroom this past year, you’d think I teach elementary school instead of high school, as so many desks had squishies sitting on them. Between assignments, they were squeezing, stretching, and comparing which one was the best, and somehow it became part of our daily routine. I caught myself wanting to be annoyed, but honestly, it was kind of funny watching teenagers, who are usually glued to their phones, get so invested in something so simple. And if a little squishy helped them focus, calm down, or just get through the day, I learned to let it be. I also had a bad habit of touching and squeezing them myself.
True story, my 13-year-old daughter almost had her NeeDoh confiscated at the airport. It was one of the rare ones that are extremely hard to find. Apparently, a mysterious squishy blob in a carry-on raises some questions, which is fair. There we were, trying to explain that it’s not anything dangerous, just the most prized possession of a middle schooler in 2026. Thankfully, the crisis was averted, but barely. And honestly, she was more stressed about losing the NeeDoh than missing our flight. For all of you summer travelers, squishies need to be packed in a checked bag.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, though. They still break, they still get gross, and they will absolutely end up melted in your car cup holder. And yet, here we are, still looking for them. Is it worth it? I will admit, it’s a little bit ridiculous and out of hand, but this is one of those trends that feels chaotic in the moment but harmless overall. It gets kids off screens, gives them something to talk about, and, surprisingly, can actually help them relax. And if a quick store stop turns into a little shared adventure with your kid, I guess that’s not the worst thing.
I didn’t plan to become a NeeDoh hunter, but here I am still checking shelves and celebrating the small victory of finding the good ones. Parenting in 2026 is wild, and somehow this is part of it. Now excuse me while I run into one more store…just to check.
