Recently, Needohs have exploded in popularity. You may have spotted the brightly colored squishy toys on Northern student’s desks during the day. Their popularity has been largely fueled by TikTok, where people share satisfying videos of squeezing and squishing, along with their collections of the colorful fidget toys. What started as a simple stress relief toy has rapidly escalated into a massive trend, with millions of views online and leaving empty boxes on shelves. They have quickly become one of the most recognizable trending things among students.
Many like Needohs for the sensory and calming that they provide. Their varieties of soft and hard consistencies and fast and slow rise make them deeply satisfying to play with. They are especially useful in moments of stress or boredom, which is common for high school students. Their bright colors also give them a visual appeal. Some contain glitter, swirls, different designs, and they tend to come in multiple different color options. Although, many recognize them for their neon packaging. This recognizable look along with constant exposure online and in school has turned a niche fidget into a must have item, especially for those who want to participate in the trend.
At Northern it’s now very common to see students with Needohs in their hands or on their desks. Many use them as a way to stay focused during classes, squeezing them to relieve stress and help them take in the information being taught. Many are appreciative of the sudden normalization of fidgets in school. The school itself has even started selling the hit toys at the Pat Shack for 150 Liveschool points.
Although, like every trend, the rise of Needohs also leads to overconsumption. Instead of owning just one, some people feel encouraged to buy multiple versions, including different colors and sizes despite already owning one style of the same product. Tiktok and other social platforms amplify the overconsumption by constantly introducing ‘new’ or ‘rare’ variations of Needohs. For example, the nice cream cones and jellysquish. This leads to excess purchasing and resellers buying them all up knowing their desirability.
Speaking of which, a noticeable effect of their popularity is how difficult they are to find in stores. Many retailers rarely have Needohs in stock because they sell out quickly after each restock. People even call the stores specifically regarding Needoh availability. Shelves are often empty, and shoppers may visit multiple locations in hopes of finding these toys without success. But this scarcity actually adds to the hype, making the product feel even more desirable and rare. Making not only Needohs a trend, but also the act of ‘Needoh hunting’. Though unfortunately, this means many students who do need Needohs for focus are unable to get them due to overconsumers and resellers.
The Needoh trend only continues to grow. As it gets more and more hype on TikTok and social media, the more treasured they become. While they are helpful tools for stress relief and focus, like every trend their rise in popularity fuels overconsumption. And like any viral trend, their popularity will eventually fade. But for now, Needohs are the current big thing for students at Northern.