Squishies have moved beyond collecting. Kids are now repairing old favorites, experimenting with texture, and making their own versions at home. Interest is especially strong around slow-rise squishies, crunchy squishies, and small nano-tape squishy designs.

The appeal is easy to understand: this craft combines decorating, building, and sensory play—and the finished project is something kids can actually use.

Why squishies are trending

• Texture is the project. Kids can choose a soft slow rise, add a crunchy layer, or experiment with air-filled tape designs.
• Repairing feels creative. Fixing a torn favorite can become a redesign instead of a throwaway moment.
• Small projects are easy to personalize. Color, faces, charms, beads, and miniature food themes make every result different.
• The process is highly shareable. The squeeze, sound, and slow return are satisfying to demonstrate—but the hands-on making is the real activity.

Three ways to try the trend

1. Decorate a plain foam squishy

Start with a purpose-made blank foam squishy and decorate it with a coating or paint explicitly labeled for that material. This is the most approachable option because the shape and texture are already established.

Try: fruit, bakery treats, animals, or a character designed by your child.

2. Repair and redesign an old squishy

For a small surface tear, follow the toy maker's care instructions and use only a compatible adhesive. Once repaired and fully cured, turn the patch into part of a new design.

Do not repair toys that are crumbling, leaking, strongly scented, or exposing unknown filling. Replace those instead.

3. Make a simple nano-tape squishy

Nano-tape designs use a clear, flexible tape pocket filled with air and lightweight decorations. They are visually fun but require patience: an adult should help cut the tape, seal every edge, and check for loose filler.

Avoid recipes that place liquid, food, or unidentified substances inside the pocket. A failed seal can create a sticky mess or expose small parts.

What kids are searching for

Current interest clusters around:

• How to make a squishy, including slushy and crunchy variations
• Slow-rise and crunchy textures
• Nano tape and cornstarch experiments
• Ways to fix torn squishies and which glues are compatible
• “Squishy hunting”—looking for unusual designs in stores

Treat these as inspiration rather than instructions. Search popularity does not guarantee that a recipe or material is child-safe.

Make it work for different ages

Ages 8–10: Decorate a premade blank with an adult nearby. Skip loose micro-beads and strong adhesives.

Ages 11–12: Try a simple tape design with adult help for cutting and sealing.

Teens: Explore more detailed designs, repair techniques, and texture experiments while following every product label.

Cleanup and storage

• Cover the table before starting.
• Keep fillers in shallow trays so they do not scatter.
• Let coatings and glue cure completely before squeezing.
• Store finished projects in a clean container away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Stop using any squishy that leaks, crumbles, smells unusual, or causes skin irritation.

The takeaway

Squishies work as a craft trend because the making does not end when the decorating is done. Kids get a tactile object they can squeeze, compare, trade, and redesign. Start with the lowest-risk version—a blank made for decorating—and let texture and personality drive the project.

Frequently asked questions

What is a slow-rise squishy?

It is a foam squishy designed to regain its shape gradually after being squeezed. Return time varies by material, shape, temperature, and age.

What makes a squishy crunchy?

Crunchy versions usually combine a soft outer structure with a textured layer or small filler that creates sound and resistance. Loose filler can be a choking hazard, so secure construction and supervision matter.

Can kids use any glue to fix a squishy?

No. Adhesives can react differently with foam, tape, coatings, and fillings. Check the manufacturer's care guidance and the adhesive label, test cautiously, and have an adult handle strong products.