When Were Squishy Toys Invented? A Short History
Squishies feel like they appeared overnight in everyone's feed β but the squeezable slow-rise toy has a longer, cuter backstory than you'd think. π°οΈ Here's the (honest, un-embellished) history of when squishy toys were invented and how they took over the world.
The origins: kawaii culture and Japan
The modern squishy grew out of Japanese kawaii ("cute") culture, where soft, adorable, food-shaped novelties have been beloved for decades. Slow-rising foam toys shaped like buns, cakes, and animals emerged from that world β the ancestors of today's dumpling and strawberry squishies. Exact "invention" dates are fuzzy (it evolved rather than launched on a single day), but the kawaii roots are clear.
Fruity squishies like this jumbo strawberry are direct descendants of those OG Japanese designs. π
The big boom: the late-2010s viral wave
Squishies went from niche cute-craft to global phenomenon around the 2017β2018 era, when squeeze-and-slow-rise videos exploded across social media and squishies became a full-blown collecting craze. Toy shops, claw machines, and "squishy haul" videos were everywhere. That wave is what put squishies in nearly every kid's backpack.
The modern revival
After the first craze cooled, squishies never disappeared β and they came roaring back with a new generation of viral stars like the dumpling squishy and glitter gel cubes such as the Galaxy Glitter Cube. Today's squishies span classic slow-rise foam (Jumbo Strawberry) and satisfying gel-filled cubes β the category is bigger and more varied than ever.
Why the concept has staying power
- π It's a genuinely good fidget/stress toy, not just a trend.
- π₯° Cuteness never goes out of style.
- π± The slow-rise loop is endlessly re-viral on each new video platform.
- πΈ Pocket-money pricing keeps it accessible to everyone.
FAQ
When were squishy toys invented?
They evolved out of Japanese kawaii culture rather than launching on one date, then exploded into a global craze around 2017β2018 via viral slow-rise videos.
Where did squishies originate?
In Japan's "cute" (kawaii) toy tradition, which has long loved soft, food-shaped novelties.
Why did squishies become so popular?
The satisfying slow rise, irresistible cuteness, ASMR-friendly videos, and low price combined into a viral perfect storm.
Are squishies still popular today?
Very β a new wave led by dumpling squishies and glitter gel cubes has the category bigger and more varied than during the original boom.
What was the first type of squishy?
Early modern squishies were slow-rising foam toys shaped like buns, cakes, and cute animals β the direct ancestors of today's food squishies.
From kawaii roots to your feed today, squishies have earned their staying power. Squeeze a piece of the history yourself β the Jumbo Strawberry Squishy and the rest of the squishy collection carry the tradition forward. π°οΈπ«Ά
Shop by type: Butter Squishies Β· Slow Rising Squishies Β· Food Squishies Β· Dumpling Squishies