Squishy toys are one of the most popular sensory and fidget toys in Australia right now - and for good reason. They're satisfying to squeeze, brilliant for stress relief, great for focus and sensory play, and genuinely loved by kids, teens, and adults alike.
But here's something every parent, grandparent, and gift-buyer needs to know: not all squishy toys are created equal. And some of them are genuinely dangerous.
At Adventure Awaits, we're proud to be an official, genuine stockist of NeeDoh by Schylling and Smoosho's - two of the most trusted and loved squishy toy brands in the world. We only ever stock the real thing, and we think it's really important to explain why that matters.
So let's talk about it.
The Squishy Toy Safety Problem Nobody Talks About Enough
Squishy toys have exploded in popularity over the past few years, and wherever there's a popular product, there are cheap knockoffs trying to cash in on the trend. The problem is that counterfeit and low-quality squishy toys aren't just disappointing - they can be genuinely harmful.
The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne is clear on this: squishy toys are banned in some countries because they can contain harmful levels of chemicals. Their official advice? Avoid buying squishy toys from markets or cheap variety stores, and always check that the packaging confirms the toy meets Australian standards.
Here's what's been found in cheap, counterfeit, and low-quality squishy toys:
Toxic chemical fillings. Many cheap squishy toys are made from polyurethane foam with added dyes, coatings, and fragrances that release VOCs - volatile organic compounds - into the air. Some have been found to contain benzene and other harmful chemicals. The stronger the smell when you open the packaging, the more reason for concern.
Contaminated fillings. In early 2026, squishy sand-filled toys shaped like sausage dogs and pugs were recalled internationally after the sand inside was found to be potentially contaminated with asbestos - a banned substance that poses health risks even at low levels of exposure. These were sold through mainstream UK retailers before the recall was issued.
Fake safety markings. Council trading standards teams have seized thousands of counterfeit squishies that arrived with fake CE markings, no genuine test certificates, no manufacturer details, and no proper warning labels. The safety marks looked real. They weren't.
Choking hazards. Cheap squishy toys are often made from poor-quality materials that break apart easily during normal play - creating small pieces that are a serious choking hazard, especially for young children. Counterfeit Labubu toys seized in the UK in 2025 had loose parts that council inspectors flagged as dangerous choking hazards for children.
Scented toys that smell like food. Many cheap squishies are heavily scented and can smell like strawberries, candy, or other foods. Young children can confuse them with something edible and try to bite, suck or swallow them - with potentially very serious consequences.
This isn't about fearmongering. Plenty of squishy toys are perfectly safe. But the difference between a genuine, safety-tested product from a reputable brand and a cheap knockoff from a marketplace can be genuinely significant - and it's not always obvious from the outside.
What Makes NeeDoh Different
NeeDoh is made by Schylling - an American toy company with decades of experience and a very serious commitment to toy safety. NeeDoh launched in 2017 and has grown into one of the most trusted fidget and sensory toy brands in the world, with over 50 different styles and more than 150 million views on TikTok.
Every NeeDoh product is filled with a specially formulated, non-toxic, dough-like compound that is latex-free and safety-tested. It's not foam. It's not gel. It's a unique compound that gives NeeDoh that completely distinctive, deeply satisfying squish - and it's been developed specifically to be safe for children.
Genuine NeeDoh products:
- Are non-toxic and latex-free
- Are made from a proprietary, safety-tested compound
- Come with proper packaging, genuine manufacturer details, and correct age and safety labelling
- Are backed by Schylling's quality and safety standards
When you buy NeeDoh from Adventure Awaits, you are buying the genuine article.
Not a knockoff.
Not a dupe.
The real, safety-tested, Schylling-made NeeDoh that your kids see on TikTok and beg for at the shops.
Our NeeDoh range includes:
🟢 NeeDoh The Nice Cube - the original. The one that started it all. Soft, stretchy, and completely satisfying to squish.
🧸 NeeDoh Gummy Bear - the jumbo gummy bear in 4 colours that is almost unreasonably satisfying to squeeze. Nearly 9cm tall and totally adorable.
And plenty more across our full NeeDoh collection - browse them all at the link above!
Please note: NeeDoh is one of our most popular products and does sell out fast. We restock regularly and update our site when new stock arrives - join our waitlist if your favourite is currently unavailable.
What Makes Smoosho's Different
Smoosho's is another brand we're proud to stock and one that's earned a devoted following in Australia for very good reasons. Smoosho's toys are designed for genuine sensory play - soft, stretchy, satisfying, and built to bounce back to their original shape every time.
Like NeeDoh, Smoosho's products are properly tested, properly labelled, and come from a brand that takes product safety seriously. They're not cheap marketplace toys with no accountability behind them.
Our Smoosho's range includes:
🌈 Smoosho's Glow in the Dark Gumdrop - ultra-soft, super squishy, bounces back to its perfect gumdrop shape every time, AND glows in the dark. A viral favourite and one of our most popular squishy toys.
🦕 Smoosho's Glow Stretch Dino - a stretchy, glowing dinosaur that's brilliant for sensory play and dino lovers alike.
🐾 Smoosho's Crunchy Pets - adorable palm-sized animal squishies with a unique crunchy texture that makes every squeeze extra satisfying.
🐰 Smoosho's Glow Rabbit - soft, stretchy, glow-in-the-dark bunny goodness. Need we say more?
How to Spot a Fake or Unsafe Squishy Toy
Whether you're shopping at a market, browsing online marketplaces, or picking something up at a discount store, here are the things to look for - and look out for:
✅ Check the packaging. Genuine branded toys like NeeDoh and Smoosho's come in proper, clearly labelled packaging with the brand name, manufacturer details, country of origin, age recommendations, and safety information. If the packaging is minimal, poorly printed, or missing any of these details - that's a red flag.
✅ Look for safety markings. In Australia, toys should meet Australian safety standards. Check for proper compliance markings and ensure they look professional and legitimate - not printed on a sticker that's peeling off.
✅ Be wary of the smell. A strong chemical smell when you open a squishy toy is a warning sign. Genuine NeeDoh has a mild, pleasant scent. A strong, chemical, or overwhelmingly sweet smell can indicate low-quality materials releasing VOCs.
✅ Question suspiciously low prices. Genuine NeeDoh and Smoosho's products are affordable - but if you're seeing prices that are dramatically lower than retail, ask yourself why. Quality materials, proper safety testing, and genuine brand licensing all cost money.
✅ Buy from reputable retailers. The single most reliable way to ensure you're getting a genuine, safety-tested squishy toy is to buy from a reputable, established retailer - not a random marketplace seller with no history or accountability.
✅ Avoid loose or unpackaged squishy toys. Markets, pop-up stalls, and some discount stores sell squishy toys completely loose with no packaging whatsoever. No packaging means no manufacturer information, no safety data, and no accountability.
Why Buy From Adventure Awaits?
We're a family-run gift and travel store in Numurkah, Victoria, and we've been shipping to happy Aussie customers for years. When it comes to squishy and sensory toys, here's our promise:
We only stock genuine products. Every NeeDoh and Smoosho's product we sell is the real, brand-authorised, safety-tested article. Not a dupe, not a knockoff, not a cheaper alternative that looks similar.
We're accountable. We're a real business with a real address, a real phone number, and real people behind every order. If something isn't right, you can call us on 0493 092 721 or email hello@adventureawaits.com.au and we will sort it out.
We test our products. We've personally tried the NeeDoh and Smoosho's toys ourselves - and with our kids. We know exactly what you're getting, and we wouldn't sell something we wouldn't put in our own children's hands.
We ship fast. Everything on our website is in our store in Numurkah, VIC. We ship Australia-wide via Australia Post every day. No waiting, no uncertainty.
Ready to grab the real thing? Browse our full range of genuine, safety-tested squishy and sensory toys at Adventure Awaits:
🟢 Shop all NeeDoh by Schylling →
🌈 Shop all Smoosho's →
🎯 Shop our full Squishies & Sensory Toys collection →
When it comes to what goes in little hands - and sometimes little mouths - it genuinely pays to buy the real thing from a retailer you can trust. We're here for exactly that. 🧡
⚠️ A note on squishy toy use: Even genuine, safety-tested squishy toys are not indestructible. Supervise young children during play, discourage mouthing or chewing, and replace any squishy toy that has split, torn, or is leaking. Always follow the age recommendations on the packaging.
