Fidget toy craze has everyone on the edge of their seats

Sweet Pea Ratliff, Editor • April 30, 2026

As you stroll through the halls and classrooms of Lincoln East high school there’s a pretty high chance you’ll spot at least one girl with a NeeDoh in one hand and coffee in the other, so what is this rising obsession with fidget toys and squishies nationwide?

Fidgets have been a tool for many neurodivergent people for years, the tactical sensory stimulation serves as a regulation activity during moments of stress.

“Fidget tools can help anyone, but they can be especially beneficial for individuals with diagnoses such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),” Brown Health stated.

The wide variety of fidgets can target specific needs for individuals like a stretchy tube for auditory stimulation or a liquid motion bubbler for something more visual. As more knowledge and acceptance emerges on neurodivergence the use of fidgets has been more rampant and not just for individuals on the spectrum.

The variety of fidget toys serves to target specific self regulation needs like auditory, sensory, or visual stimulation. (Photo by Sweet Pea Ratliff)

“Fidgets give me something to do with my hands when I’m sitting in class that is not entirely distracting to others (like popping knuckles, etc),” junior Moira Andrews stated.

NeeDoh is one of, if not the, most popular squishy brands and has been active for over ten years producing fan favorites like the Nice Cube and Fuzz Ball. While sensory toy usage can be such a positive thing for the destigmatisation of neurodivergence some take it too far. All over tiktok and other social media platforms one can not escape the unboxing and hauls of loads of squishies. The overconsumption has led to stores like Target and Walmart being sold out of fidgets, making them less accessible for those who may need them and simply another trend.

One thing even I have been enthralled by is the viral glitter dumpling. These tiny blind box squishies come in all kinds of colors and if you’re lucky it might even be the ultra-rare sparkling dumpling. While it seemed innocent at first and just another toy kids were distracted by, the obsession and consumption continued to rise. Mothers and teens on tiktok load up their carts for the best chance at being blessed by the dumpling gods to post a 15-second clip on social media.

Fidgets are an amazing way to self-regulate or destress and many people have benefitted from them becoming more mainstream, but being mindful of recognizing trends and overconsumption.

About the Contributor

Sweet Pea Ratliff, Editor

Sweet Pea Ratliff is a junior at East High School. This is her second year on The Oracle staff, and she looks forward to helping the first-year staff writers as an editor. Outside of The Oracle, Ratliff enjoys painting and drawing as a creative outlet. She goes through high school and other parts of life by trying to be true to herself. “I just try to be myself and surround myself with things that I like without worrying about judgement from other people,” Ratliff said. At home, she is one of five kids in her family, and also helps take care of her various pets. Ratliff’s perfect day is simple: going to the mall, getting her nails done, and spending time with those she loves.