Dumpling squishy: what to know before you squish, buy or collect
A dumpling squishy is a soft toy shaped like a dumpling or bun that you squeeze, stretch and watch slowly spring back. Real ones are made of foam or a stretchy shell with filling, so check the maker, the smell and the age label; a squishy game gives you the same squish on screen without small parts.
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What is a dumpling squishy?
Squishies are soft toys, classically made of polyurethane foam, that slowly regain their shape after being squeezed (“slow rising”). They became popular as buns, animals and sweets. The newer dumpling squishies look like filled dumplings and often have a stretchy shell with a filling, so they feel more like mochi or dough.
The appeal is the feel: squeezing, pulling and the slow spring-back are calming for many people, much like a stress ball. Squishy games recreate exactly this behaviour on screen with soft-body physics, sound and vibration.
| Type | Material | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Slow-rise squishy | PU foam | squeezes flat, rises back slowly |
| Dumpling squishy / bun | stretchy shell with filling | stretches and kneads, reforms |
| Mochi squishy | soft silicone/TPR | small, very stretchy, quick to return |
| Water-bead or sand squishy | shell with filling | heavy and mushy; use with care |
Are squishies toxic?
Squishies are not toxic across the board, but individual products have been flagged. In 2018 the Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested twelve squishies and measured high emissions of volatile substances from all of them, including dimethylformamide. The Swedish Chemicals Agency also ran an enforcement project on squishies. Industry groups disputed parts of the Danish method, and results vary a lot between products.
Besides chemicals, the bigger issue is usually choking: small parts, tearing shells or fillings like water beads are dangerous for young children, which is why several dumpling squishies have been listed in the EU Safety Gate warning system.
- Skip squishies with a strong chemical smell, and do not store them in a child’s bedroom.
- Buy from sellers that name the manufacturer and follow toy safety rules for your country.
- Not for children under three; water-bead or sand squishies only with supervision.
- Never warm a squishy in the microwave: fillings can get very hot.
- Check recall databases such as the US CPSC or the EU Safety Gate before buying.
How to make a dumpling squishy out of paper
For a squishy without any chemical smell, paper, clear tape and stuffing are enough. It does not rise as slowly as foam, but it squeezes well and takes about half an hour.
- Draw your dumpling twice at the same size on paper, add a face and colour it in.
- Cover both sheets completely with clear tape; that makes the paper smooth and tear-resistant.
- Cut both shapes out, leaving a small border.
- Tape the edges together, leaving one opening.
- Stuff loosely with scrunched plastic bags, cotton or pillow filling, then tape the opening shut.
Dumpling squishy mystery boxes: how often do you get a rare one?
Many squishy series and games use surprise boxes, and the time it takes to collect them can be calculated. With a chance p per box, the probability of getting lucky at least once in n boxes is 1 − (1 − p) to the power of n.
With a 4 percent chance of a golden one, the probability is only about 34 percent after 10 boxes, 50 percent after 17 and about 87 percent after 50. For a full set, the coupon collector’s problem applies: with 12 equally common figures you need about 37 boxes on average, with 60 figures about 281, because near the end almost every box is a duplicate.
- A pity counter that guarantees something new after X boxes at the latest puts a ceiling on duplicates.
- If the odds are not published, there is no way to judge how long a series will take.
| Boxes | Probability |
|---|---|
| 10 | about 34 % |
| 17 | about 50 % |
| 25 | about 64 % |
| 50 | about 87 % |
How Squibbun works as a dumpling squishy game
Squibbun is a squishy collecting game for Android: you open boxes in three moves (peel the tape, lift the lid, tear the paper) and then squish soft dumpling pals called squibs.
- Soft-body physics with four materials (dough, jelly, mochi and slow-rise foam), each with its own synthesized sound and vibration.
- Free: a welcome box, a new daily box and 2 steam boxes every day, plus the Steam Basket series with 12 squishies including a golden one.
- Odds shown in the app: 72 % common, 24 % rare, 4 % golden; a pity counter guarantees a new squishy at the latest every 4th box. Boxes cannot be bought.
- What is inside a box is fixed the moment it is made, so leaving halfway does not re-roll it.
- A workshop for your own squishy (shape, material, colours, face, topping) and clips of your best squish as a 9:16 video with sound.
- Backup file and Android backup, so your collection survives a new phone.
What the app cannot do
Squibbun is a calm collecting game with no levels, opponents or online mode, and squishing on glass is not the same as a real squishy. Only the Steam Basket series and one own squib are free; the game is rated for ages 13 and up and available for Android only.
Price
Playing, opening boxes and the first series are free; the Steam Pass (Pro) with all 5 series, pick 1 of 3 instead of a random draw, a daily golden chest and up to 24 own squibs costs $3.99 a month or $19.99 a year in the US. We build this app ourselves; on Google Play it is listed under the developer name InfinityAkhi.
Get it on Google Play: Squibbun
Screenshots
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Frequently asked questions
Why are dumpling squishies being recalled?
Recalls and warnings for individual products usually concern choking hazards from small parts or fillings, sometimes chemicals. Check the specific product in a recall database rather than assuming all squishies are affected.
What does “slow rising” mean?
It describes foam squishies that only slowly return to their shape after being squeezed. The slower, the more collectors tend to like them.
Can you buy boxes in Squibbun?
No. Free boxes are a random draw with published odds; with the Steam Pass you pick 1 of 3 squishies yourself in every box, with no random draw and no duplicates.
What happens to my collection if the Steam Pass ends?
Everything you collected stays yours, and locked series stay visible in the album.
Sources
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