How hunting for NeeDohs and other popular squishies can create real-world opportunities for brave talking, social interaction, confidence-building, and FUN!

If you've been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you've probably seen the squishy hunting trend! Kids (and plenty of adults!) are running from Target to Five Below to Marshalls, searching for the latest NeeDohs, Dream Drops, and other hard-to-find squishies.

I'm Dr. Adelia Sabintsev, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist in Baltimore, Maryland, and a PCIT-SM Certified Therapist specializing in selective mutism and childhood anxiety.

And as someone who works with children with selective mutism (SM) and social anxiety, I LOVE THIS TREND!

Why? Because it's one of those rare trends that naturally encourages children to get out of the house, interact with other people, practice speaking, connect with peers, and have fun while doing it.

In a world where we can order almost anything online, use self-checkout, and go through much of our day without speaking to another person, squishy hunting offers something different.

For children with selective mutism and social anxiety, it creates opportunities to practice the very skills we're working so hard to develop.

Here are ten reasons I'm so excited about it!

1. The Hunt Gets Kids OUT of the House!

One of my favorite things about this trend is that you often can’t simply order the most sought-after squishies online. You have to go looking for them!

That means visiting different stores, exploring new environments, and potentially interacting with employees and other shoppers.

For children with selective mutism and social anxiety, these everyday outings can become wonderful opportunities to practice speaking and interacting outside their comfort zones.

I also love that squishy hunting gets kids moving! For many children, movement can help them feel less inhibited, regulate their emotions, and feel more comfortable interacting with others. Plus, instead of focusing on the pressure to speak, they're focused on the excitement of the hunt!

Rather than organizing an outing that feels like a therapy assignment, we're participating in something children genuinely WANT to do. The speaking opportunities become a natural part of the adventure, rather than the entire focus of the outing.

And the opportunities are everywhere!

A child might practice asking:

"Do you have any NeeDohs?"
"Where are the squishies?"
“When do you restock?”

For a child who isn't ready to speak directly to an employee, we might start with answering a parent's forced-choice questions in the store, gradually working toward speaking when other people are nearby.

The goal isn't simply to find a squishy. It's to use the hunt to create meaningful opportunities for brave talking!

2. It Makes Exposures Feel More Natural for Parents

One of the biggest barriers I've found when working with parents of children with selective mutism and social anxiety is that they simply don't know where to fit exposures into their everyday lives.

Even when parents understand how important exposures are, figuring out when and where to practice can feel overwhelming.

And I get it!

It can feel awkward to approach someone at the grocery store or strike up a conversation while waiting in line at Starbucks, especially when everyone seems to be looking at their phones.

That's another reason I LOVE squishy hunting!

It gives families a natural reason to get out into the community, approach people, and practice speaking.

Instead of trying to create a conversation out of nowhere, your child has a specific goal: finding that squishy!

And here's what makes it especially valuable from an exposure perspective: It's repetitive!

When we're working on exposures, we generally want to change one variable at a time (person, place, or activity). If we're changing locations, for example, it can be helpful to keep the activity and speaking expectations the same.

Squishy hunting gives us exactly that opportunity!

Same script. Different stores.

First stop: Target

"Do you have any NeeDohs?"

Next stop: Five Below

"Do you have any NeeDohs?"

Last stop: Marshalls

"Do you have any NeeDohs?"

Same activity. Same script. Different environment and different people!

As your child becomes more comfortable, you can gradually increase the challenge by adding follow-up questions, approaching employees more independently, or asking about specific squishies.

The best part? You don't have to invent a new exposure every time you leave the house.

You have a fun, repeatable activity that your child is genuinely excited about.

3. Their Excitement Can Help Them Approach Their Fears

Children with selective mutism and social anxiety experience anxiety around speaking or interacting in certain situations. Gradually approaching feared situations, with appropriate support, is an important part of treatment.

But what if your child is SO excited about finding a particular squishy that they're motivated to try something challenging?

That's where this trend gets interesting.

Their excitement and motivation can make them more willing to participate in an exposure that might otherwise feel intimidating.

For example, a child who typically avoids talking to store employees may be more motivated to answer a question from an employee or ask if a store has a particular NeeDoh they've been searching for all week.

And remember, we want to set children up for success.

A child who is not yet ready to ask an employee a question might start by speaking to a parent in the store or answering a simple question from an employee.

For example, a parent can approach an employee and say, “Can you ask my child if they're looking for a squishy or a book?”

Practice this interaction beforehand so your child knows what to expect and feels prepared to answer. This creates a natural, low-pressure opportunity to practice brave talking while gradually building confidence speaking with unfamiliar adults.

We follow the child's current speaking abilities and gradually increase the challenge.

4. We're Following THEIR Interests!

One of the most powerful ways to engage children in exposure work is to incorporate their own interests.

And right now, for many kids, that's SQUISHIES!

When we're talking about something a child loves, we may see more enthusiasm, engagement, and willingness to participate.

Instead of asking children to practice speaking about something that doesn't interest them, we can create opportunities around a topic they already enjoy discussing.

For example:

Describing the squishy they're searching for.
Answering questions about their favorite NeeDoh.
Asking a parent which squishy they should look for next.
Telling a friend about their latest find.
Explaining why they want to trade one squishy for another.

These conversations can begin with familiar people and gradually expand to less familiar people and environments.

And because the topic is naturally motivating, children may want to keep practicing!

5. Squishies Create a Shared Interest With Other Kids

This might be my favorite part!

Children with selective mutism or social anxiety sometimes have difficulty initiating conversations, joining peer activities, and developing friendships because speaking or social interaction can feel so challenging.

But what happens when two children LOVE the same thing?

Suddenly, they have something to talk about!

Squishies can provide a natural conversation starter and a shared activity.

Children can compare their collections, show each other their favorites, discuss which squishies they're searching for, and even trade them.

For a child who struggles to initiate interactions, having a shared interest can make social situations feel more predictable.

Instead of having to think of something to say, the child already has a topic and an activity. Chances are, your child has already talked your ear off about squishies at home with their comfortable speaking partners (you and other family members!). That's what makes this such a great exposure opportunity. They don't have to reinvent the wheel or come up with something new to say. They've already had verbal success talking about this topic, and now you can help them practice sharing what they already know with other people!

Example: A parent asks their child in front of a peer, “Did you find this carrot squishy at Target or Five Below?” Once the child answers, the parent prompts the peer: “Can you ask [child’s name] if they found it at Target or Five Below?”

This is particularly useful for playdates, where children may feel more comfortable interacting when there's a structured activity rather than an expectation to simply sit together and talk.

6. Squishy Trading Is Practically a Built-In Exposure Game!

Have you seen the squishy trading videos? There are a billion online, but here’s an example of squishy trading!

Kids offer squishies, negotiate trades, and decide whether to accept or reject offers.

As a selective mutism specialist, I see SO many opportunities here!

Trading naturally involves short, predictable phrases that children can practice and become comfortable using.

Beginner

Short, predictable phrases

"Yes."
"No."
"Your turn."
"My turn."

Intermediate

Making requests and expressing preferences

"Add more."
"No deal!"
"I want that one."
"Let's trade."

Advanced

Negotiating and asking questions

"What will you trade for this?"
"Can you add another squishy?"
"I don't want to trade that one."
"Do you have any other offers?"

We can begin by practicing these phrases with a parent or sibling, then introduce a familiar friend, and eventually expand to less familiar peers. You can even have them written down, so your child can have scripted lines to practice!

Because the game follows a predictable format, children can rehearse the language beforehand and become increasingly comfortable participating.

And there's another important benefit: trading creates opportunities to practice self-advocacy!

7. It's an Opportunity to Practice Self-Advocacy

Children with selective mutism or social anxiety may struggle to express their preferences, ask for what they need, or disagree with others in situations where speaking is difficult.

Squishy trading provides a fun way to practice these skills.

A child might need to tell another child:

"No, I want to keep that one."

"Can you add more?"

"I don't want to trade."

Or perhaps they need to approach a store employee and ask whether a particular squishy is available.

These are meaningful opportunities to practice asking questions, expressing preferences, negotiating, and advocating for themselves.

We can adjust the expectations based on where the child is in their treatment.

For some children, saying "no" to a familiar friend is a big accomplishment. For others, the next step might be negotiating a trade with a less familiar peer.

The goal is to help children develop the confidence to use their voices in everyday situations.

And importantly, we want children to feel comfortable declining trades. They should never feel obligated to give away a toy just to participate in an exposure.

8. It Makes Playdates Easier to Structure

If you've ever tried to organize a playdate for a child with selective mutism or social anxiety, you know that unstructured social time can sometimes be challenging.

Squishies provide an activity that can be organized into predictable games.

Squishy Trading Game

Each child brings a few squishies they're willing to trade. Children take turns offering trades, accepting or rejecting offers, and negotiating.

Guess the Squishy

One child describes a hidden squishy while the other asks questions to guess what it is.

Squishy Shop

Set up a pretend store where one child is the shopkeeper and the other is the customer. Practice asking about prices, requesting different squishies, and making purchases.

Squishy Show-and-Tell

Each child brings their favorite squishy and answers a few prepared questions about it.

These games provide a structure for conversation while allowing children to focus on an activity they enjoy.

Parents can support the interaction by initially participating and then gradually fading themselves out as the children become more comfortable.

9. Squishies Make GREAT Rewards for Brave Talking!

Let's not forget another reason I'm loving this trend: squishies make fantastic rewards!

Many children are already excited to collect them, making them a potentially powerful motivator for practicing brave talking.

You can incorporate them into a reward system that fits your child's current speaking goals.

For example, your child might earn a sticker each time they complete an agreed-upon speaking challenge. Once they've earned a certain number of stickers, they can choose a new squishy.

Or perhaps your child is working toward a bigger goal, such as independently asking a store employee a question.

You can celebrate their progress with a squishy they've been wanting!

The important thing is to make sure the expectations are achievable and appropriate for your child's current abilities. We want to reward meaningful steps toward their goals, not pressure them into speaking tasks they're not yet prepared to attempt.

And the reward doesn't always have to be buying another toy. Sometimes the hunt itself can be the reward!

10. It Encourages an Exposure Lifestyle

One of the things I frequently discuss with families is the importance of incorporating exposures into everyday life.

We don't want speaking practice to happen only during therapy sessions.

We want children to have opportunities to practice speaking at grocery stores, restaurants, playgrounds, birthday parties, and throughout their communities.

Squishy hunting is a great example of how everyday activities can become opportunities for exposure.

Going to Target? Check the toy aisle.

Visiting Five Below? Practice asking an employee a question.

Having a friend over? Organize a squishy trading game.

The beauty of this approach is that we're incorporating speaking opportunities into activities children already want to do.

And even when we don't find the squishy we're looking for, the outing can still be a success because of the speaking opportunities we created along the way!

In fact, a store being sold out can create another opportunity to practice asking questions, managing disappointment, and trying again somewhere else.

The squishy is exciting, but the skills children practice along the way are what make this trend so valuable.

A Reminder: It's Not About Forcing Speech

As much as I love this trend, it's important to remember that every child with selective mutism or social anxiety is at a different stage.

For one child, answering a parent's question while standing in a store may be an appropriate exposure.

For another, asking an employee where to find a particular squishy may be an appropriate next step.

And for a child who is already speaking comfortably to store employees, we might focus on asking follow-up questions, initiating conversations, or interacting with peers.

We want to create opportunities that are challenging but achievable, using appropriate support and gradually increasing expectations.

And if an exposure doesn't go exactly as planned? That's okay! We can adjust the challenge and try again.

The goal is to help children build confidence through repeated, successful experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selective Mutism, Social Anxiety, and Squishy Hunting

How can I help my child with selective mutism practice speaking in public?

Community exposures provide opportunities to practice speaking in everyday environments. Start with achievable activities, such as answering a parent's question in a store, and gradually progress toward speaking to unfamiliar adults or peers.

Squishy hunting can make these experiences more motivating and repeatable because children have a specific reason to visit different stores and practice the same speaking scripts.

Can squishy hunting help children with selective mutism or social anxiety?

Squishy hunting can be incorporated into a structured exposure plan. Children can practice asking store employees questions, expressing preferences, initiating conversations, and interacting with peers while participating in an activity they enjoy.

It isn't a treatment by itself, but it can complement evidence-based selective mutism or social anxiety treatment when exposures are tailored to a child's needs.

What are some fun selective mutism activities for playdates?

Structured activities such as squishy trading, pretend squishy shops, guessing games, and show-and-tell create predictable opportunities for conversation.

Parents can adapt these games to their child's current speaking abilities and gradually introduce more challenging social interactions.

What if my exposure doesn’t go as planned? What if I’m not great at it?

The good news is that learning how to do exposures is a skill, and it’s one you can develop! You don't have to get it perfect, and even when an exposure doesn't go as planned, there are ways to bounce back.

I create free and low-cost resources on my Instagram (@selective_mutism_strategies) and TikTok (@doctoradelia_SM) to help parents learn how to support their children with selective mutism. I also offer free and low-cost selective mutism resources, including printable activities and tools to help parents and educators practice brave talking, on my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Doctor Adelia.

I also presented a webinar for the Selective Mutism Association called How to Bounce Back After a “Mistake” When Working With Children With Selective Mutism, where I discuss how forgiving this work can be and what to do when things don't go as planned.

You don't have to be an expert to get started. This is a skill you can learn, and I'm here to help you along the way!

I'm so excited about this trend that I'll be sharing a series of videos demonstrating how parents can turn squishy hunting into real-world speaking opportunities for children with selective mutism and social anxiety.

I'll be posting clips on Instagram, and TikTok, including:

How to turn a squishy hunt into a community exposure.
Specific scripts for asking store employees questions.
How to create speaking opportunities at different levels.
Squishy trading games that encourage verbal interaction.
How to incorporate squishies into playdates and peer exposures.

Whether your child is just beginning to speak in public or is working on initiating conversations with peers, I hope these videos give you practical ideas you can use right away.

The squishy is the prize, but the opportunities for connection, confidence, and communication are what make the hunt so valuable!

Follow along for my five days of squishy hunting and why I love this trend for kids with selective mutism and social anxiety!

About Dr. Adelia Sabintsev

Dr. Adelia Sabintsev, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist in the Baltimore, Maryland area specializing in anxiety disorders, including selective mutism. She also works with young children experiencing difficulties with emotional regulation and behavioral challenges. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and PCIT for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM).

Dr. Adelia works with children, families, and schools to build confidence through evidence-based treatment, parent coaching, school collaboration, and real-world community exposures. She also provides school consultations, professional training, and CUB Kids, a group therapy program for children with selective mutism.

Learn more about selective mutism treatment, PCIT-SM, parent coaching, school consultation, and group therapy at www.doctoradelia.com.

Instagram: @selective_mutism_strategies

TikTok: @doctoradelia_SM

Teachers Pay Teachers: Doctor Adelia Resources

Website: www.doctoradelia.com