The Squishy Toys My Daughter Is Completely Obsessed With
Every parent has a story about a random toy that somehow becomes the most important object in their child’s life. For us, that toy is brought to you by NeeDoh.
My daughter discovered these at school. She came home, talking about her friend’s gumdrop squishy, announced it was her new favorite thing, and has been collecting them ever since.
If you haven’t seen one: NeeDoh is a dough-filled groovy glob of sensory satisfaction. You squeeze it, pull it, smush it, stretch it — and it always bounces back to its original shape. Non-toxic, latex-free, no BPA, no phthalates. They’re made by Schylling, a classic toy company that’s been around since 1968. And they come in so many different shapes and textures at this point that collecting them has become its own hobby.
Here’s every variety worth knowing about. 🌈
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The Original NeeDoh Start here. The classic ball shape, bright neon colors (groovy green, outta sight orange, primo pink), and that signature doughy-yet-bouncy squish that started the whole obsession. It’s 2.5 inches wide, fits perfectly in a kid’s hand, and is basically impossible to put down once you pick it up. Every collection needs at least one.
NeeDoh Glow in the Dark Same satisfying squish as the original, but it glows. Charge it under a light, take it somewhere dark, and watch your kid lose their mind with delight. This one is a particular hit at sleepovers and car rides after dark.
NeeDoh Nice Cube The classic squish, but make it a square. The Nice Cube squishes, stretches, and morphs under pressure and then — satisfyingly — returns to a perfect cube every single time. There’s something deeply pleasing about a cube that refuses to stay deformed. Kids love it. Adults who pick it up at the kitchen table and can’t put it down also love it.
NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl The Nice Cube but with a swirling two-tone color blend baked into each one — and since every cube is slightly different, no two are exactly alike. My daughter takes the “which one will I get” element very seriously. A great one for kids who are already Nice Cube fans and want something with a little more visual interest.
NeeDoh Nice Cube Glow The Nice Cube, but it glows in the dark. Yes, this needed to exist. Yes, we own one. Yes, it lives under the pillow. No further questions.
NeeDoh Nice Ice Baby A teenie-sized translucent mini cube — only one inch square — in soft translucent colors like blue, pink, and purple. It’s the poppable, holdable, palm-sized version that fits in a pocket or a backpack zipper pouch and goes everywhere. Great for little hands, great as a fidget during homework time, and genuinely adorable.
NeeDoh Gumdrop Shaped like a gumdrop, textured on the outside, and filled with that same signature doh squish inside. The Gumdrop has a slightly firmer, more satisfying press to it than the classic ball — if your kid is a “squeeze as hard as possible” type, this is their NeeDoh.
NeeDoh Fuzz Ball This one is different. Instead of smooth, the outside has a soft velvety texture with a wavy pattern you can actually feel with your fingertips. The squish is lighter and cloudier than the classic — less dough, more plush. Kids who like soft textures over firm squishes tend to gravitate toward this one.
Shop on Amazon → (out of stock at the time this was published, but hopefully back soon, this one is really neat!)
NeeDoh toys are the rare thing that works for every kid regardless of age, temperament, or attention span. Wiggly kids use them to focus. Anxious kids use them to calm down. Collector kids use them to build a little squishy army on their bookshelf — which is exactly where my daughter’s currently lives.
They’re also great for adults, but we don’t need to admit that out loud. 🤫
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