NeeDohs have drastically increased in popularity over the past year. Especially at East, in every class, it seems that at least one person has or wants one. The squishy gel-filled fidget toys appear in various stores from Walmart to Walgreens, flying off the shelves as soon as stock appears. The company behind the toys claims NeehDohs provide “stress-relieving fun” and are “durable and safe,” along with other claims about the toys’ benefits. While some claims are backable, others have come under scrutiny from parents and consumers. 

It’s inevitably true that the toys help some to destress and focus–it can be seen in classes all around East. Students often use the fidgets to aid with restlessness and to be able to move while remaining engaged in learning. The different shapes and types of NeeDohs add to the sensory experience, but also keep consumers wanting more and more. 

Complaints surrounding the toys have begun to arise: many state that the toys don’t stand up to their claim of being durable. According to Consumer Reports, there are hundreds of reviews claiming that their NeeDoh broke within hours to days of their first use. Despite such reviews, the majority of the 9,000 reported reviews are positive, garnering an overall four-star rating for the toys. 

In addition to claims regarding durability, parents have brought forth serious concerns regarding safety. It seems, though, that many of these safety concerns are preventable. On the United States’ website for Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are eight incident reports relating to injuries from NeeDohs. The main injury reported is a chemical burn from the gel inside the toy. Many of these reports, though, specify that the toy may not have been used as intended. In one, a ten-year-old boy sustained burns after “twisting [the toy] too much.” In others, kids microwaved the toy following a trend on social media. In some cases, it cannot be determined whether the toy was being used as intended or not. 

In general, the NeeDoh squishies are an engaging and harmless fidget. For some, they are useful in focusing and destressing. It is important, though, that, according to Consumer Reports, one should never freeze, microwave or leave NeeDohs in a car to avoid injury.