Okay… But What’s Actually Inside a Squishy?
Squishy toys can be fun, calming and ridiculously satisfying to squeeze.
But there’s one question we’re hearing more and more:
What’s actually inside them?
Is it gel? Water? Foam? Beads? What’s the outside made from? And if you know what’s inside one squishy from a particular brand, can you assume the rest are the same?
The short answer is: no.
Squishies can be made from different outer materials, fillings and formulations - even within the same brand.
That’s why at The Sensory Sloth, we’ve gone through our squishy collection product by product rather than trying to give you one answer that covers everything.
Every squishy on our website now has its own “What’s inside this squishy?” section.
Here’s what that means - and what you might actually find inside one.
So… what CAN be inside a squishy?
There isn't one standard squishy recipe.
According to the ACCC, squishy toys may be made from materials such as foam, rubber or silicone, and may contain fillings including gel, beads, water or other materials. Some squishies are foam all the way through. Others have a flexible outer casing containing a separate filling. Some use multiple materials.
And this is where it gets tricky:
Two squishies that look and feel similar aren't necessarily made from the same materials.
Even two products from the same manufacturer may have different fillings or outer materials. That's why we don't copy information from one product and assume it applies to everything else in that brand.
Read the ACCC Squishy Toys Guide
Why is it sometimes so hard to find out what's inside?
This is something we've discovered while working through our own range. The amount of information available can vary considerably between products. For some squishies, manufacturers provide detailed material and filling information. For others, information might come from the Australian supplier or appear on the product packaging.
And sometimes, the information provided simply isn't detailed enough to confidently tell you exactly what a product contains. When that happens, we ask. And if we're still waiting for an answer, we'll tell you that too. Because we'd rather say: “Further information requested.” than fill in the blanks ourselves.
What if the information isn't available?
Then we'll say so.
You might see something like this on one of our product pages:
We’ve requested detailed material and filling information from the supplier. We’ll update this section when it is confirmed rather than guessing.
That doesn't automatically mean there's something wrong with the product. It simply means we don't currently have enough verified information to give you a more specific answer. As we receive further information from manufacturers and suppliers, we'll keep updating our product pages.
What should I look for when choosing a squishy?
The ACCC recommends checking things like the recommended age, available material and safety information, supplier or retailer details and the overall condition of the toy.
It's also worth checking for things like damaged seams, leaks, loose beads, detachable small parts or a strong or unusual chemical smell.
And, of course, check the information provided for the specific squishy you're considering, rather than assuming information you've seen about another product applies to it.
If you're looking at one of ours and can't find the answer you need, you can always ask us.
How should I care for a squishy?
Always follow the instructions and warnings provided with the individual product.
As general care guidance:
- Supervise young children during use.
- Keep squishies away from babies and toddlers.
- Don't intentionally cut, puncture or open them.
- Don't heat, microwave or freeze them.
- Avoid leaving them somewhere very hot, such as inside a car.
- Regularly check for tears, leaks, sticky residue or unusual smells.
- Stop using a squishy if it becomes damaged or begins leaking.
- Encourage handwashing after play.
For exposure, injury or urgent safety advice, follow the health and safety information in the ACCC's Squishy Toys Guide.
What we're doing differently at The Sensory Sloth
We know families, teachers and therapists want to make informed choices about the products they're buying. We also know that product information isn't always as detailed or consistent as we'd like it to be.
We can't fix that by making broad promises.
But we can:
- ask suppliers better questions
- look at each product individually
- share confirmed material and filling information
- tell you where that information came from
- tell you when we don't have an answer yet
- update our information when further documentation becomes available.
Clearer product information, without guessing.
That's the goal.
Want to know what's inside a particular squishy?
Every squishy product page at The Sensory Sloth now has a “What's inside this squishy?” dropdown.
So if you're eyeing off a Nice Cube, a squishy animal, a gel-filled fidget or something else entirely, you can check the information available for that particular product before you choose.
And if the answer you're looking for isn't there yet, send us the product name. We'll check what information we have and tell you what has - and hasn't - been confirmed.
Product information is specific to the product or range identified and may be updated when manufacturers or suppliers provide new documentation.