Walk into almost any classroom and you will likely see students holding a colorful toy in their hands. NeeDoh stress toys have quickly become one of the biggest trends among students, with their soft textures and bright colors making them hard to resist. Although stress relief toys have existed for years, NeeDoh’s have recently exploded in popularity. Over the past few months, stores have struggled to keep them in stock as demand is high and people are rushing to buy the newest designs. Many stores sell out within hours of restocking, leaving eager buyers waiting for the next shipment.

Popular versions include the NeeDoh ‘Nice Cube’ and the ‘Dream Drop,’ but there are also rarer ones that people are especially excited to find, such as the ‘FuzzBall’ and the ‘Ice Cream’ NeeDohs. “My dream NeeDoh is the ‘Fuzzball,’ because it looks so squishy and soft, and I see everybody else having it on TikTok and I want it too,” Austin Everett said.

However, the growing trend has sparked debate among students and teachers about whether these toys help or hurt focus in the classroom. Some students believe they are useful tools that help them stay engaged during lessons, while others feel they can become distracting. “They’re a good outlet for somebody who might have like a learning disorder or ADHD or something, but they can also become really distracting,” Marcus Ashby said. “They can fall under that same kind of guidelines of overconsumption if you’re not careful with it.”

Seeing classmates use them every day has made people question whether the trend is becoming another example of society’s habit of quickly buying into popular fads. Teachers also recognize both the benefits and the drawbacks. While some teachers believe stress toys can help certain students stay focused, they worry that they might sometimes take attention away from learning. “Some people legitimately need something to just sort of focus themselves, but I think at times it can be a little bit distracting if it takes away from lessons or the ability for someone to pay attention,” Mr.Benson said. “In general, I just hope we don’t see CEO board meetings filled with grown adults having plushy toys because they’re feeling that they need something to gain comfort. I think there’s a fine line to walk between comfort and needing something or wanting it because it’s a social fad.”

Despite the mixed opinions, many students say NeeDohs help them get through long school days. Having something simple to squeeze or play with can make it easier to stay awake and engaged during class. “I love NeeDohs because they give me something to do during class so I don’t get bored or fall asleep,” Jasmine Neph said. “Plus, they’re really satisfying to play with.” As the trend continues to grow, classrooms may keep seeing more of these squishy toys. Whether they are helpful focus tools or simply the latest social craze, NeeDohs have been clearly making their way in student life.