By: Lucy Cronin

   In a fight against mid-year burnout, students have found a new tool to help them survive the school day: squishies. These soft, sticky, and novelty toys have been filling the hands of students and flying off store shelves, creating a frenzy to find them all throughout the county. 

   The rise of these squishy toys began with a social media trend revolving around the limited edition Squishie Bun Mystery Toy, a mystery-colored squishy shaped like a dumpling. Parents and teens alike raced to their nearest Five-Below in hopes of finding a rare glitter dumpling, resulting in stores across the country entirely selling out. This left consumers searching for other products to satisfy their craving, leading to a resurgence in popularity for other brands like Needoh and Taba Squishies.

   “I’ve had trouble finding [squishies] in stores. I’ve looked in Target, Five-Below, and even at the mall. I don’t find them very often now that they’re so popular, so when I do, I go crazy and buy them all. I’ve had to start just getting them online, cause they’re sold out everywhere,” junior Kala Rulison said. 

   Despite the silly or distracting appearance of these squishies, some say they benefit classroom environments more than hurting them. Needohs and squishies have been highly acclaimed as one of the best classroom remedies for students battling ADHD, autism, OCD, or general anxiety in school. Proven to be useful tools for stress-relief and lessening panic, squishies can help students focus more rather than taking away from learning. 

   “They really change the way that I learn and my everyday life. I love to just have them in my hand because it helps me focus and get through the day, especially as someone with ADHD. I bring them to school, to work, even to hangout with my friends,” senior Salma Tabana expressed.

   Around MRHS, teachers have worked to better inform themselves on the use of these squishy toys and better understand the newest student craze. Opinions range from love to hate, some more eager to be involved in the trend than others. Ms. Costabile, a social studies teacher supportive of squishy use, has even found one of her own to use throughout the school day.

   “I used to be a little hesitant because some of the big ones I thought could be messy or break, but my sociology class this semester has really opened my eyes to them…I feel like I’m more productive with it. It relieves stress and its comforting to hold something while you’re doing something else. I think it helps students pay attention to what they’re doing because they can relieve some of their built up energy in one hand while their writing with the other one,” Ms. Costabile explained.

   Each brand offers a unique look and feel for their squishies, some softer, some translucent, some shaped like characters and food, and others firm and solid colored. Many students have collected multiple different types and styles, allowing students to trade and exchange squishies throughout the school day.

   “My favorite is the water-filled ones, they’re more fun to squeeze and I like to see how close I can get to popping them without actually popping them. They’re super entertaining, and I love the variety and all the different types I’ve seen around school,” senior Santino Pinos shared.

   Whether you see them as a silly toy or a stress-relief tool, squishies are allowing students not only to stay focused during class, but also to connect with one another and create a community throughout the building. Squishy use is on the rise, and those currently on the hunt for one will have to continue surveying the back isles of stores and searching the web for their perfect classtime fidget.