What is the Squishy Toy Trend on TikTok? Dangers of concerning new online fad explored

TikTok's Squishy Toy trend is reportedly injuring children, as multiple reports of kids getting harmed are surfacing. According to Distractify's July 23, 2025, report, the new trend is designed for individuals who want to reduce fidgeting and is also intended for stress relief and sensory play.

Although it is unclear which TikTok account originated the Squishy Toy trend, it quickly gained popularity on the app as various accounts began participating in it.

Multiple TikTok accounts show that first, they heat food-grade silicone toys, then squish the half-melted toys to play with them.

The trend used NeeDoh, a stress ball made from rubber and filled with polyvinyl alcohol. However, Schylling Toys, the manufacturer of the toys, has a warning on its website, telling customers not to freeze or heat their products, as it could cause "personal injury."

"Do not heat, freeze, or microwave, may cause personal injury," the warning reads on the website.

Last year, a 7-year-old girl was heavily injured after trying to recreate the Squishy Toy Trend she saw on TikTok

According to Tyla's July 16, 2025, report, in October 2024, Scarlett Selby, the 7-year-old from Festus, Missouri, had to be hospitalized after her NeeDoh toy exploded in her face.

She told her parents that she had seen the Squishy Toy trend on TikTok and tried to replicate it.

I think I found it! Rosie’s squishy is called the Needoh Gumdrop ✨#ROSÉ #로제 ⚡︎ #ROSIEBYROSÉ pic.twitter.com/7vA4JERgSS

— ✨ELEVEИDIGITS ꫂ ၴႅၴ✨ (@eleven_digits) November 7, 2024

Her father, Josh Selby, told Kennedy News that he didn't stop her from playing with the toy because he had seen his daughter freeze the NeeDoh and play with it before.

Josh stated that he saw Scarlett take out the heated toy from their microwave, and before he could react, it exploded, and she let out a "blood-curdling scream."

"She stuck it in the microwave. I was watching her and saw her touch it to check it wasn't too hot when she pulled it out. It all happened so quickly. I heard her scream, and it was like a blood-curdling scream. It had exploded all over her chest, mouth and chin," he said.

He told the media outlet that he tried to remove the melted toy residue from Scarlett, but it was too sticky and his hands were getting stuck.

Josh removed his daughter's shirt, and he and his wife took her to the St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Scarlett was put under a medically induced coma as doctors speculated her airways could swell and close due to the burns near her mouth.

The 7-year-old had second and third-degree burns on her face, neck, and chest.

According to the media outlet, in March 2025, doctors were exploring skin grafting as a treatment option for Scarlett.

Josh Selby told Kennedy News that he was against the Squishy Toy trend and requested that everyone throw away the silicone toys.

He claimed the toy's explosion was like hot glue sticking to skin.

"For that to happen to my daughter was the hardest thing that I've gone through. I've told absolutely everyone to throw them out if they have them. The product that's in it is like glue so you essentially have hot glue exploding on you. Once it touches you, there's no way to get it off," he said.

The Squishy Toy trend is quickly gaining popularity on social media apps. Both TikTok and YouTube informed the media outlet that they don't allow dangerous content on their platform.