BY MADISON LEE ’27 & ALEEZA GANI ’27
Bright-colored, squishy fidgets can be found almost everywhere around Jericho High School. NeeDoh Nice Cubes, a type of stress ball-fidget hybrid, rest in students’ hands and fill each desk, making one thing clear—the squishy craze has officially reached Jericho.
Many squishies and other types of fidget toys are branded as stress-relievers. These sensory tools are typically meant to aid adolescents and adults with relaxation and focus. However, limited clinical research suggests that stress toys are actually effective for their intended uses. This discrepancy raises the question: How does Jericho High School feel about the squishy trend?
Isabelle D. ’27 explained that she uses squishies for multiple reasons. “They actually help to get rid of all my stress,” she said. “It’s also fun to collect all the different types of squishies; that’s probably my favorite part.”
The squishy demand has increased so much that the Jericho PTA even holds squishy sales in school to raise money for events. PTA member Ms. Rachna Sachdev helps run these sales and noticed how popular these toys have recently become. “We sold out of certain squishies within just a few hours,” she said.
Some appreciate these toys for fostering well-being in the classroom. In AP Psychology, students make their own stress balls and glitter jars in class.
AP Psychology teacher Ms. Theresa Flockhart believes that students having these stress balls and glitter jars promotes relaxation and learning. “It could be the feeling of the tactile stress ball or the viewing of the glitter going down that really just gives your mind something to focus on…instead of whatever is causing the anxious thoughts or the stress,” said Ms. Flockhart.
Though some think squishies are helpful learning aids, others see them as unnecessary distractions in school.
Science teacher Ms. Reena Bhasin thinks that squishies can be helpful for stressed students, when used correctly. However, she finds them too distracting when students mishandle them. “I will never, ever advocate the throwing of the squishies, as sometimes I’ve seen kids do in the hallways, playing with them like a hot potato,” said Ms. Bhasin.
Ms. Bhasin thinks that there should be size limits for squishies at school to decrease distractions and maximize their usefulness as stress relievers. “The larger the toy, the more distracting it is. So, I think the smaller ones are probably better for the students,” said Ms. Bhasin.
Another issue with squishies is that they may be unhygienic. When students bring these toys to school, they usually pass them around to friends, leave them on unclean surfaces, or even drop them on the floor. Because of this, some find squishies too dirty to be worth the benefits. Sophia S. ’26 said, “I think [the squishies] are disgusting. There are just a lot of germs on them.”
On the other hand, English teacher Ms. Erin Zimmerman thinks squishies are a fun collectible. She said, “I like all the different shapes, colors, sizes, and textures, and it’s also been a way for people to connect.” Ms. Zimmerman enjoys how trends like these give students and teachers a common interest to discuss, beyond just academics. These connections help to de-stigmatize wellness practices and teach students the importance of managing their stress.
Clearly, squishies are beneficial for those who want to incorporate a little fun and relaxation into their daily lives. For students like Christy F. ’27, “Squishies are a great way to ease your mind and connect with friends, especially through the more boring moments at school.” So, it appears that the squishy trend at Jericho High School is here to stay, as long as students continue to use them responsibly.
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