The Journal · The Guide
How to choose a safe squishy toy
Squishy toys are everywhere, and most are simple, harmless fun. But not all are made alike. Here is what to look for before one reaches a small hand.
In 2018, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested a range of squishy toys and found that some released chemicals, including the solvent dimethylformamide (DMF), at levels it considered potentially harmful to children. Several products were withdrawn from sale. It is the reason many parents now hesitate over squishies, and a fair one.
The good news is that a well-made squishy is a simple, safe thing. Knowing what separates one from the other takes only a minute.
1. Look for the mark, and a name
Every toy sold in Great Britain must meet the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. Look for a UKCA or CE mark on the toy or its packaging, together with the name and a postal address of the company responsible for it. A toy with no marking and no traceable maker is one to leave on the shelf.
2. Trust your nose
A well-made foam toy should have little or no smell. A strong chemical odour, or a heavy perfume that seems designed to hide one, is worth taking seriously. Many cheap squishies are scented for exactly that reason. If a new toy smells, air it well before play, and if the smell persists, return it.
3. Check the age, and the parts
Read the age label and take it at its word. Look for anything that could come loose: glued-on eyes, charms or accessories. A squishy made as one moulded piece has nothing to detach. And because foam can tear into small, soft pieces, a split toy should be taken away from young children straight away.
A good squishy is a simple thing. It should smell of nothing, and hide nothing.
4. Ask about testing
The toy safety standard EN 71 covers mechanical safety (EN 71-1), flammability (EN 71-2) and the migration of certain elements such as heavy metals (EN 71-3). A responsible brand will tell you which tests its toys have passed. For foam toys, it is also reasonable to ask whether they are screened for volatile compounds, including DMF.
5. Buy from someone you can find
Unbranded listings on large marketplaces can be difficult to trace, and harder still to recall if something goes wrong. Buying from a seller with a name, an address and a returns policy is one of the simplest safety decisions there is.
Before you buy
- A UKCA or CE mark, and a maker's name and address
- Little or no smell
- An age label that suits the child
- No small parts that could come loose
- A brand that will tell you how it is tested
Keeping it safe at home
Wipe a squishy clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then let it air-dry; don't soak or machine-wash it. Check it now and then for splits. Keep a close eye on children who tend to mouth or chew their toys, because a squishy is not made for chewing.
How we make Squish
Every Squish design is independently tested to EN 71 and UKCA marked. Every batch is lab-tested for chemical migration and for volatile compounds, including DMF, and we will publish the test summaries at launch. Squish has no added fragrance, is sealed in a water-based coating and is aired for at least 72 hours before packing. Each one is a single moulded piece. You can read more in our promise.
