The return of squishy toys is all the craze at the moment. They can be seen all over campus at Granite Hills High School.
Social media has had a major impact on the rise of these toys. Stores sell out in a matter of 1–2 hours, even minutes, from when they are put on the shelves.
Sofia Campos, a Granite Hills senior, works at Target, and she sees lots of them being sold.
“Many people line up early in the morning until the store opens,” Campos said. “Workers often get cussed out for not having them in stock. We also get many, many calls around the clock asking if we have Needohs in stock.”
Needohs and other stress toys can be found at Target, Walmart, Five Below, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Prices range from $2.99 to $14.99. The prices vary depending on their texture, style, and size.
Over the years, items like fidget spinners, Pop-Its, and slime have attracted the attention of students. And now it is Needoh time.
“It keeps students occupied on something and at times can keep you more focused,” Granite Hills English teacher Ms. Alghonaym said. “You are able to take a quick break from work and feel the different textures of the Needohs/fidgets. I feel that with the different varieties of textures that Needohs have to offer, students are able to pick what they like to squish, especially when they need a quick, stress-free break.”
Are they gaining their popularity because of social media? The answer in short is yes. Social media has one of the biggest impacts on everyone. Trends come and go, and right now, it is stress toys, otherwise known as Needohs. Many people agree that because others have Needohs or other stress toys, it influences them to want one of their own as well.
What do people like about them? The answer is simple: people like fun and different textures, some of them being memory foam, gel, water, sand, fuzzy, crunchy, thick silicone, slime, sticky surfaces, and the list goes on.
“My favorite Needoh is the Big Iceberg because the texture is so satisfying when it’s warmed up and also when it gets hard,” Granite Hills junior Anessa Villagomez said.
Is it all just hype? No, Needohs are not all just hype. Many people say that they are a way to help with stress — stress they may have in class, at home, or at work. Needohs have become a top competitor among other toy brands that sell stress toys. Their different textures provide comfort and relaxation. Playing with toys helps people focus on the present and on what is going on around them.
NJ.com reported that Amazon has sold over 100,000 of these gadgets in the past month. Even though Needohs are trending, they still have competitors on the market. One of their biggest competitors is Speks. They claim to have higher quality and be a better alternative to Needohs. But nothing beats the satisfaction of finding the last Needoh at the store.
The toys do provide stress relief for many, but on the downside, many have reported their toy ripping or breaking open, exposing kids to the materials inside. They are non-toxic, but some kids have gotten it in their eyes, making it harmful.
“It got everywhere. It was very sticky and thick,” Granite Hills student Melany Salcido said. “It was hard to wash off because it was so sticky—even after washing my hands, I still had some residue left. It was very sad since it was so hard to find, and also because I got it as a gift.”
