What’s The Obsession With NeeDohs, Dumplings, And Squishies?

Remember when fidget spinners and Pop-Its took over the world? Now picture Redwood students bringing NeeDohs and squishes to school every day. Rangers share their obsession with the new trend.

By: Brisa Magana

Redwood Rangers are currently bringing squishes of all colors, shapes, and sizes to Redwood High School.

Cathy Jaurrieta, ’28, says, “I love bringing my squishes to school. I have a lot of them, they are fun to fidget and play with during class.”

The most popular squishies that are at the top of the pyramid, loved by everyone, are NeeDohs and Dumplings, which are sold at stores like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Five Below. As soon as they are restocked, the shelves are cleaned off in seconds.

Kaydence Rodriguez, ’28, says, “I’ve waited in a 40-minute line outside of Five Below before they opened, and when they opened, the worker came out and said 3 people took all 8 cases of Dumplings and everyone was mad.”

Squishies are designed for ages 3+, but a lot of squishy buyers are teens and adults, increasingly becoming the primary consumers.

Jaurrieta says, “I saw a video on TikTok that some kids and teens were fighting over the cheese and the butter squishy, but they are very trending, so I understood why, but it was insane how far people go to get a squishy.”

NeeDohs and squishies are popular for their satisfying sensory experience on TikTok and Instagram, becoming a “trend” for everyone to have one.

Rodriguez says, “I find them soothing and a very affordable stress and anxiety relief to have, especially during class. It helps me out a lot, that’s why I always carry one in my backpack.”

A lot of Rangers bring all kinds of them and let one another borrow them and take them to class, but as soon as someone sees that someone else has one, they instantly ask them if they can touch it.

Victor Hernandez, a math teacher at Redwood High School, says, “Literally at least 3 people from each of my classes has some sort of squishy that they bring with them. I’ve squished a squared clear blue NeeDoh, and it was a good squishy, but I’ve also seen a big banana and a Dumpling squishy”.

Jaurrieta says, “I have a literal collection of squishies. My favorite is my pink glittery duck. I bring it with me everywhere.”

The squishy trend obsession continues on with many Rangers bringing their collections to school, using them as different tools.

Tags: arts & entertainment, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca