If you are not on TikTok, you might not know about the latest toy fad propelled by the youths of the nation. These are called Squishmallows, and for our Gen X and Millennial readers, these are pretty much just like Beanie Babies, only fatter.
What makes Squishmallows different than the similarly shaped plushes? Disney’s popular Tsum Tsum line, for example, also consists of rotund, pill-shaped animals, and they are certainly soft. However, Tsum Tsums only depict Disney characters, while Squishmallows create a whole new universe of stuffed animal creatures, of which there are more than 800.
Squishmallow characters are not particularly original—some examples include Ashley the Apple, Orin the Orange, Scarlet the Strawberry, and Wanda the Watermelon. But their simplicity and cuddliness seem to have resonated with young people in a time when hugging is severely restricted.
Sadly, as with most fads, Squishmallows can be hard to get your hands on. As of this writing, their website is down, making Amazon your best bet for a purchase. Even there, most of them are out of stock, with certain items available for delivery by mid-April.
One thing to note, if you do decide to being your perusal on Amazon: Squishmallows are not the same as “Squishville by Squishmallows.” The latter line is by the same brand, but its stuffed figures are a mere two inches high, which is a major blow to their cuddliness factor. Caveat emptor.