People are lining up outside of local stores before opening to find their favorite squishy toys. NeeDohs have become one of the most popular items among teenagers.
The heightened demand for these fidget toys has led to long lines and sold-out shelves while people continue the hunt. Many students can’t find the toys anywhere, and many people are visiting several stores in the Cedar Valley to find one.
Elise Andersen, a junior, says, “I’ve been playing with these toys since 5th grade. It never used to be hard to find them, but now it’s practically impossible.”
These NeeDoh toys, designed to be squished and fidgeted with, have been quickly spreading through Waterloo Schools. Many students carry them throughout the day, in class, in the halls, or even make trades with each other. This rise in popularity has also led to a price increase. “They used to be three dollars, and now they’re like eight,” said Andersen.
Students claim their appeal to this toy is the relaxing texture and how useful it is throughout the busy day. “I use them to keep my hands busy, I just enjoy them,” said Andersen, “personally, I like it better than other fidget toys because it’s silent. Other fidgets are clicky; these are squeezable.
While some students use the NeeDohs for stress relief, many say the trend comes from social influence. “I think people do it because they see other people with them, and then it makes them want one,” Andersen stated. The toys are so widespread that it feels like the norm for students. “In this generation, it’s much more common to need something to keep your hands busy, even for small tasks,” she added.
According to KCRG-TV9, the Needoh craze has spread all across Iowa, people waiting in line for hours hoping to collect a toy before they’re all sold. The report states that businesses are struggling to keep NeeDohs in stock because of a sudden demand increase driven by social media trends. As videos featuring NeeDohs gain several views online. The popularity of these toys expanded outside of school.
Bing’s, a toy shop in Valley Junction, has never been too busy. But they recently have received more business than they can handle when the community discovered they have Needohs. Bing’s sold 5,000 toys this year, which is triple what they would sell in a year. Small business owners can be put in trouble when trends begin an outburst. The owner of this store, Val Veiock, says they have to take risks as a business. They never know when this trend will lose traction, so they have to keep buying, and announcing every new drop to customers.
This influence isn’t limited to high school students. A 7th grader at Hoover Middle School, Dylan Shannon, says he first discovered NeeDohs through TikTok, showing that social media is driving students to these toys. Shannon also says the toys help him stay focused and believes they are the best fidgets on the market. While he doesn’t own one or participate in the hunt, he admitted that they’re just popular, and that’s why everyone wants one.
Social media drives children towards the next fad. In 2020, fidget spinners were extremely popular, or 2022, when Pop-Its were on the rise. Social media boosted all of these toys; they’re short-lasting trends that sweep the nation.
As the trend continues, NeeDohs remain a popular classroom tool and a sold-out product in local stores, with the high demand not slowing down. NeeDoh has recently announced on social media that they will have to decrease product sales due to the inability to keep up with high-demand.
