5 Toys Blowing Up Right Now (And Why Everyone's Obsessed)
Every year a handful of toy categories suddenly seem to be everywhere at once — all over TikTok, sold out at every store, showing up in every "what my kid actually wants" list. Here's what's genuinely trending right now, why it's catching on, and where to find it if you want in.
1. Food-shaped squishies
Squishy toys are having a real moment, and food shapes are leading the charge — cookies, donuts, pizza slices, milk cartons, you name it. Retail trend data from Faire has squishy toy demand up sharply over the last few quarters, with food-shaped designs as the breakout category. The appeal is simple: slow-rising foam that's oddly satisfying to squeeze, in shapes cute enough to collect. Our squishy toys collection leans hard into this, from the Cookie Ball to the French Fries Squishy to the Pizza Slice Squishy.
2. Tangle fidgets
The quiet, endlessly-reshapeable chain fidget has been building steady momentum as a low-key alternative to spinners and pop-its — no batteries, no noise, nothing to lose track of, just continuous twisting motion. It's become a desk and classroom staple precisely because it doesn't draw attention to itself. Browse the full tangle fidgets collection, or read our breakdown of how they actually work.
3. Weighted plush
Chunky, huggable, deliberately heavy stuffed animals have gone from niche sensory tool to mainstream comfort item, showing up constantly in gift guides and "cozy room" content. The appeal is the same deep-pressure calm you'd get from a weighted blanket, just smaller and more portable. Our weighted plush collection covers eight characters, and we explain the trend (and the science behind it) in why plush toys are taking over hearts (and TikTok feeds).
4. Chewable jewelry
This one trends quieter than the others, but demand has climbed steadily as more parents, teachers, and adults discover it as a discreet alternative to chewing on collars, pens, and pencils. It doesn't go viral the way a squishy does, but search interest and reorders tell the real story. Our chewable jewelry collection and what chewelry actually is cover the basics if you're new to the category.
5. Magnetic building toys
Magnetic tiles and blocks keep finding new audiences well past their original toddler-toy reputation — older kids building elaborate structures, teens and adults using them for stress-free tinkering. They're a rare case of a "trending" toy that's also just genuinely durable and reusable, which is probably why the category hasn't faded the way most trends do.
Why these particular trends?
Notice the pattern: almost everything on this list is tactile, screen-free, and quietly calming. That's not a coincidence. A lot of what's trending in toys right now is really a trend toward sensory, hands-on play that gives people (kids and adults both) something satisfying to do with their hands. If a trend keeps showing up in your feed, there's usually a real reason behind it, not just hype.
Frequently asked questions
Are trending toys just a fad, or are they actually worth buying?
It depends on the toy, but a lot of what's trending right now (squishies, tangle fidgets, weighted plush, chewable jewelry) has staying power because it serves a real sensory purpose rather than relying purely on novelty. The toys that keep selling well after the initial hype are usually the ones that are genuinely useful, not just aesthetic.
What's the most popular sensory toy trend right now?
Food-shaped squishy toys are currently the fastest-growing category, according to recent retail trend data, with weighted plush and tangle fidgets close behind.
Related reading
- What Is a Squishy Toy? How They Work and Why They're So Satisfying
- Weighted Plush Toys 101: How They Work and Who They're For
- What Is a Tangle Fidget Toy? How They Work and Who They're For
Ready to browse? See everything trending right now in our Trending Toys collection.
Source: The Toy Book, "2026 Toy Trends: Squishy, Slimy & Analog"