Pink, purple, blue and other brightly colored stress toys have recently lined shelves with people of all ages grabbing them off the shelves. Not only are these toys seen all around retail stores and social media, but they’re also seen around Liberty.
Many students can be seen squeezing and passing around different shapes and sizes of these squishy fidgets, varying from ice cream to fuzzballs. NeeDoh has been rising in popularity over the past few months.
Although first introduced in 2010 by the manufacturer Schylling, NeeDohs have increasingly gained attention this year, due to the social media craze.
Lydia Saland, (she/her), 12 has many NeeDohs and enjoys collecting different colors and types.
“I first started to hear about NeeDohs all over my TikTok, and wanted to see what the hype was all about,” Saland said.
The social media popularity has increased the difficulty of acquiring a NeeDoh.
“I honestly think that NeeDohs became popular because of TikTok, everyone started having them and they became super hard to find,” Saland said.
At Liberty, it’s become very trendy to have a NeeDoh, with multiple found on a desk or being squeezed during class.
Aubri Sadler, (she/her), 11, notes that they are very useful in school settings.
“I see them all the time in class because they help kids focus. People are always using each other’s in class,” Sadler said.
Solely through a social media lens, they can be seen as just another micro trend passing by, such as the fidget spinner popularity in 2017. NeeDohs can go beyond being a surface-level trend. They can help with stress, anxiety and more.
Saland notes that NeeDohs help reduce stress levels and will remain popular because of how beneficial they can be.
“I feel like NeeDohs are here to stay because a lot of people use them for stress. I use them during stressful situations,” Saland said.
A study from Prestige Worldwide from Suffolk University notes that using fidget toys increases engagement in the classroom by 13%. Using a NeeDoh during a class lecture or while working can be very helpful.
“I decided to buy my first Needoh, because I had a lot of fun playing with my sister’s. It’s fun to play with, and I find myself using mine the most when I’m doing homework,” Saland said.
NeeDohs have many aspects that can help with stress and focus, but many people like the different shapes and colors of NeeDohs available for purchase, with new shapes and a variety of different options selling out in local stores.
Saland shares her favorite NeeDoh in her collection.
“I like my pink ice cube NeeDoh the most, I rate it a ten out of ten,” Saland said.
Sadler has also bought into the NeeDoh trend.
“My blue fuzz ball NeeDoh [is my favorite] because it’s the squishest and most satisfying to use,” Sadler said.
Even if NeeDohs are just another trend cycling through, they have left a lasting impact on younger generations.
