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There's a cuddly toy for every personality
ByNikita Charuza
Updated on February 12, 2024 10:34AM EST
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It’s pretty impossible to be looking for a children’s toy and not come across the über viral Squishmallows. The cozy and cuddly plush toy has amassed a gigantic following and has become a global phenomenon since debuting in 2017. Squishmallows are super soft plush toys that have been touted as Gen Alpha’s version of the iconic Beanie Beanies, and rightfully so. Each character has a super distinct personality and even has an in-depth backstory, which is what makes them so covetable and relatable. The collective toys have been seen all over TikTok and have been favored by celebrities ranging from Lady Gaga to Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson. Over 1,000 of these cuddly characters have been made since the product's inception. Curious to learn more, we spoke with Gerhard Runken, Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing, to learn everything about the adorable plush toys, like how the name came to be, how the brand amassed such a big following, and which Squishmallows are predicted to be the most popular. “Squishmallows were developed to bring joy to fans of all ages with relatable personalities and squads that are super fun to collect and hunt,” Runken tells PEOPLE. “Squishmallows are one of those things that have struck lightning, and it all came together to strike a chord for everyone from eight [to] 108!” If you ever wondered how the name came to be, it makes a lot of sense when you hear the story. “Naming something can be challenging, but in this case, the unique one-of-a-kind feel of the plush toy gave us the name! It is super squishy when you hug it and reminds people of a marshmallow when you feel it! The combination of the two ultimately gave us the name Squishmallows.” Runken explains. And trust us, once you get one in your hands, you'll understand — it really does feel like a squishy marshmallow. Here are some of the most sought-after and most cuddly Squishmallows. Cam is an adorable cat with black and brown patches. He was one of the first eight Squishmallows to ever be released and is considered the main mascot of the brand.Cam recently got a new upgrade with his cool purple hat, which has sent his popularity soaring. Cam’s Story: Cam is a beach-loving cat who loves to go on adventures and hang with his two best friends, Hoot and Wendy. He is also a fan ofjumping in and out of boxes and building forts. Size: 10 x 14 x 14 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up There's something about tie-dye that brings a smile to any child’s face, and this character is sure to delight. A purple and pink tie-dye unicorn, Lola is full of magic to ignite your little one's imagination. Lola’s Story: Lola loves spending her time watching movies with her friends and she even wants to be an actress when she grows up. Her favorite color is pink, and she loves to visit new places and wants to travel the world while making movies. Size: 6.69 x 5.91 x 3.15 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Looking for an adventurous character to join along your child’s imaginative journeys? Fifi the fox is the one for your little one. Fifi’s Story: Fifi has already been everywhere from the mountains to the Arctic and she wants you to come along, too! This vibrant red fox is known as a little firecracker and is currently working on getting her yoga certification. Size: 12 x 10 x 8 inches | Recommended Age: 18 months and up Calling all food lovers: Winston is a teal-colored owl who loves to whip up creative meals. Winston’s Story: As an aspiring chef, Winston is always delighting his friends with his latest culinary delights. He’s especially known for his famous mac and cheese. Size: 12 x 12 x 12 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Does your little one love ducks? Well, Avery the mallard is not only cute but also loves dabbling in the world of art. Avery’s Story: Avery is known to be the queen of arts and crafts. She’s your go-to creative buddy and is known for her impeccable calligraphy skills, watercolors, and floral designs. Size: 16 inches | Recommended Age: 18 months and up Leonard the lion is not only super smart, he comes with a wondrous rainbow-colored mane. Leonard’s Story: Leonard might be a lion, but he’s no traditional lion — he doesn’t eat meat because he’s a vegetarian! His favorite foods include lentils and lasagna. He also spends his free time napping like his older brother, Richard, and he’s learning how to code to help create their website called The Lion Brothers. Size: 8 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Looking for a unique animal Squishmallow? Why not give a salamander, like Archie the axolotl, a try? Archie’s Story: Archie might come across as shy at first, but this little guy has a special talent that he uses to communicate: sign language! He’s a soccer-loving ‘Mallow, and he also started a club for 'Mallows to play and learn to "Squishmallow sign". Keep an eye on Archie because he's rumored to play in the Squishmallow Cup soon. Size: 7 x 4 x 2 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Gordon might be the cutest Squishmallow solely based on his friendly smile. Yes, he’s a shark, but there’s no need to be scared of this sweet guy. Gordon’s Story: If you’ve ever wondered who the friendliest ‘Mallow is, it’s Gordon. This loving character loves to help others and is quite philanthropic — he even wants to start his own non-profit. Size: 12 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up What’s better than a leopard Squishmallow? A loving leopard named Michaela comes in the perfect pastel rainbow colorway. Michaela’s Story: Michaela loves the three Bs: birds, bubblegum, and baseball. She also loves to volunteer at a local shelter once a month and even teaches the birds how to say "please", "thank you", and "home run"! Size: 12 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up If you are searching for a Squishmallow that’s not only sporty but smart, Wendy is your gal. Wendy’s Story:If you’re looking for Wendy, chances are you’ll find her out on the basketball court. After all, she won the MVP award last year. Not only is she an all-star athlete, but chemistry is her favorite subject and she wants to be a famous scientist when she grows up. Size: 14.96 x 10.63 x 6.42 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up The fruit-shaped Squishmallows have stories that are just as interesting as their animal counterparts. Just look at Maui the Pineapple – he's cute and cuddly but also courageous. MauiMaui’s Story: Maui is ready to conquer her two fears: skateboarding and scuba diving. She already made great strides and has checked roller coasters and rollerblading off her list. She doesn’t like to be scared, which is why she likes to conquer her fears by trying out new things. Size: 16 x 15 x 14 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Malcolm is an adorable red-and-white spotted mushroom who is also a huge fan of sports. Malcolm’s Story: You’ve probably never met a soccer-playing mushroom, but Malcolm is one-of-a-kind. He’s the goalie on his team and has helped his team win the championship three years running. Size: 12 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up If magical and mystical creatures are more up your alley, Tatiana the dragon is quite the catch. This dragon comes with a teal body, silver wings, and purple horns. Tatiana’s Story: Tatiana loves to explore with her friends, have dance-offs, and bake. Her mission is to save the world, one day at a time. You’ll spot Tatiana either hanging out with her friends out in the wild or spending time in the library reading up on what her next big adventure will be. Size: 12 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Looking for a unique creature to add to your little one’s Squishmallow squad? Benny theBigfoot is a great place to start. Benny’s Story: Benny is one of the smartest woodland creatures. This bigfoot enjoys running and playing with his friends in the forest. If he’s not running around, you’ll find him taking photographs with all of his woodland friends. Size: 8 x 6 x 3 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up This cheeky little pig from England comes with a winking face, blue spots, and a bright pink nose. She's considered a "stackable" Squishmallow thanks to her flat, horizontal nature. Rosie’s Story: Rosie is visiting her family from the other side of the pond. She loves spending time with her nanna, eating crunchy biscuits, and going to concerts with her friends. Rosie’s nanna makes a delicious cup of tea and always has yummy treats at the ready when Rosie visits. Size: 12 inches | Recommended Age: 2 years and up What’s second best to eating a bunch of French fries? Cuddling with Floyd the French fry-inspired Squishmallow. He’s sure to be hit with any kid. Floyd’s Story: Who doesn’t love an adventure-loving food item? Floyd is a salty French fry who longs to leave the kitchen for adventures such as sailing the sea, climbing a mountain, and even visiting his family in Idaho. Size: 7 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up In the mood for something sweet? Carmelita is a sweet s’more Squishmallow that’s sure to fill that craving. Carmelita’s Story: Are you a manga fan? (For the uninitiated, manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels.) If so, check out Carmelita's work. She's a pro at drawing black-and-white manga about her life, school, and all of the adventures she has with her best friend, Cinnamon. Don’t worry if you tell her your secrets: she uses code names for anything juicy. Size: 5 x 3 x 8 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up This collectible Sanrio Hello Kitty plush is one of the newest releases — and it's no surprise that this Squishmallow is flying off the shelves. This adorable plushy is arguably less bizarre than some other Hello Kitty products out there. Hello Kitty's Story: She was born in London and has a twin sister named Mimmy. She loves to bake (especially cookies!) and loves to make new friends. Size: 12 x 8 x 14 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up This Star-Wars-inspired Squishmallow is one of the recent releases, which also includes plush Chewbacca, BB-8, and R2-D2. For fans of the Mandalorian, the plush Baby Yoda (or “The Child”) is a must-have. Baby Yoda’s Story: May the Force be with you! Get ready to be impressed as Baby Yoda shows off his Jedi powers. Size: 10 x 9 x 10 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up The 53 Best White Elephant Gifts Meet Sailor Samir, this eight-inch whale is part of the Sealife Squad, and he’s a natural leader.He sports a stylish hat, fins on all sides, and a sweet smile. Samir's Story: Although Samir never expected to be in charge, he was chosen as a leaderbecause he displays qualities, like kindness and consideration. He’s available to give advice anytime you need help making the best choice. Size: 8 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Adopt Queen Bee and glow up your Squishmallows collection. Made with soft blue material, this roly-poly plush pet glitters with gold antennae, wings, and stripes. Queen Bee's Story: As the first collectible Squishmallow from the Roblox game Adopt Me!, Queen Bee is adorned with gold wings and stripes and is always up for a snuggle. Size: 14 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Ainhoca is a soft and squishy dino with a four-tone color design. She has white spikes and a white tail, a gray tummy, and an orange patch with brown spots on her head. Ainhoca's Story: This friendly gray ankylosaurus dinosaur serves as a school crossing guard at the local elementary school. Her powerful armored tail blocks cars and helps all the other Squishmallows get safely across the road. Size: 16 inches | Recommended Age: 3 years and up Some of these plush toys have become so popular that they’re being sold on eBay for over $1,000 (yes, you read that correctly!). Many retail for around $20, like the Squishmallows Adopt Me! Queen Bee, making them a good option if you're looking for a stocking stuffer; however, the more popular or rare plush toys are sold for much more — such as Gordon Shark. Still, there are plenty of reasonably-priced Squishmallows to choose from, especially if you're shopping for a gift under $50. “We don’t participate in any secondary market sales activity, so this is completely fan-driven. We love how engaged our fans are, and we try to make sure we always do our best to protect our fans so they always have the opportunity to get Squishmallows,” says Runken. Plush toys are always popular gift options for kids of all ages. When buying Squishmallows for young children, be aware of the recommended age range. Some have buttons or other accessories that may be dangerous for babies or toddlers. In general, most are suitable for three years and up. The most important factor when buying a Squishmallow is personal preference. Whether you love sharks, soccer, or Hello Kitty, there is a Squishmallow for you. They also release movie-themed Squismallows, like Baby Yoda, and holiday and seasonal plushes as well, including Halloween and Christmas-themed Squishmallows. Frequently Asked Questions What is the rarest Squishmallow? The rarest Squishmallow is the 16-inch Jack the Black Cat, and that’s because there were only 500 made. He was the first limited-edition Squishmallow and was sold via the Kellytoys website. Why are Squishmallows hard to find? “There are numerous factors, including limited and seasonal squad releases, and, of course, the massive popularity of Squishmallows on social media driven by Gen Z," says Runken. He says that Squishmallows are exceptionally popular on social media, noting that they have had over nine billion video views on TikTok and have been tagged more than one million times on Instagram. "We have a huge fan base that loves celebrating the brand! So, it’s really our core Squishmallow fans that have made the brand so popular. Also, the limited squad releases are wildly popular because of the nature of how fans collect — they collect by character, squad, color, scale, and type!" If you're wondering if the rare nature of a Squishmallow means having to shell out more money, you'll be happy to know that that's not the case. "We don’t charge more for limited editions because we want all fans to be able to get any Squishmallows at any time — we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them!" says Runken. "And of course, we’ve got some of the world’s biggest influencers and pop-culture icons that are Squishmallows fans with recent social media shout-outs from Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Jessica Simpson, and others. All this buzz helps drive the excitement for Squishmallows, further fueling the hunt and collectability factor.” What’s the most popular Squishmallow? “Cam the Cat was one of the first Squishmallows and is one of the most popular and iconic personalities,” reveals Runken. Another favorite is the 16-inch Jack the Black Cat which sold out online in just two short hours. How did the name Squishmallows come to be? If you ever wondered how the name Squishmallows came to be, it makes a lot of sense when you hear the story. “Naming something can be challenging, but in this case, the unique one-of-a-kind feel of the plush toy gave us the name! It is super squishy when you hug it and reminds people of a marshmallow when you feel it! The combination of the two ultimately gave us the name Squishmallows.” Runken explains. And trust us, once you get one in your hands, you'll understand — it really does feel like a squishy marshmallow. Nikita Charuza is a freelance writer with almost a decade of experience and is the founder of the "happy headcare" line Squigs Beauty. For this story, she interviewed Gerhard Runken, Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing at Jazwares to learn more about the brand. Meet Our Expert Gerhard Runken is the Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing at Jazwares. 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