

Squishmallows Are More Than Just a ToyĮach Squishmallows comes with a tag that shares the creature’s name and personality, similar to that of a Beanie Baby. With over a thousand characters to choose from, consumers can never get bored of collecting them all. Kellytoy even offers patterns with other well-known brands like Disney and Sanrio to provide plushies of popular and beloved characters like Hello Kitty and Baby Yoda. Creating groups like the fruit squad, the fantasy squad and the Halloween squad pushes consumers to want to own a complete set or at least search for all members of a specific squad. Their availability adds to the inclusivity factor, while their collectability fosters community among Squishmallows fans.įans may also trade plushies, hunt for rare ones together or even work to build Squishmallows “squads,” or groups of Squishmallows that share traits with one another.

They can also be found in numerous retail stores like Walmart, Target, Claire’s, Walgreens and Five Below. The toys are readily accessible on the official Squishmallows website and from resellers. Such a strong sense of community is especially valuable during the current pandemic, where people may be struggling emotionally, mentally or financially. This knowledge, along with the toy’s affordable cost, which ranges from around $5 to $50 - although rare ones may sell for hundreds of dollars - may be part of the reason behind the plush line’s popularity. However, you don’t necessarily need to own tons of Squishmallows to join the Squishmallows Squad anyone can take part in the trend with just one or two plushes. Hardcore collectors with hundreds of Squishmallows may even dedicate a separate room for their immense collection. Some collectors place their collections on their beds, while others organize them on shelves or hammocks. On social media, they showcase piles of the toy, which ranges in size, color and design. These people often own dozens or even hundreds of the plushies. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram recently, chances are you’ve come across a member of the “Squishmallows Squad,” a term for fans and collectors of Squishmallows. Through all of this, many have found a sliver of comfort in their Squishmallows’ cute, cuddly faces, perhaps because they are reminiscent of childhood hope and joy. Thus, Squishmallows serve as the perfect remedy - even only a temporary one - for the stress that the pandemic brought upon the world: loss of loved ones, fear of catching the virus, anxiety in conforming to new rules, issues with finding or maintaining jobs, difficulty focusing on work or school and strained relationships. The versatility of these fluffy companions grants consumers a plush that provides the perfect amount of squish to cuddle factor. Some can fit in the palm of your hand others are as large as 2 feet tall. Their fuzzy, pliable feeling makes them the perfect cuddle buddy and allows them to double as a pillow as well.Īdditionally, Squishmallows come in a variety of sizes. They’ve become huggable companions for the touch-starved and provide a sense of community in a time when people are more divided, both physically and mentally, than ever before. That’s when Squishmallows came into the picture. Despite our best efforts to find alternative ways to connect via Zoom, FaceTime, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and other forms of social media, many of us can’t help but feel somewhat disconnected during these trying times. It’s hard to deny that we all didn’t experience at least a little bit of loneliness since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through all the calls to quarantine, social distancing regulations and mask mandates. How Will Taking Away Likes on Instagram Mess with Influencers? Companionship in a Lonely Time
