The TSA squished their spirits.
Squishies may be the latest viral toy craze — with top brands like Needoh, Polysquish and RMS Mystery Squishy Dumplings becoming sensory favorites for young fans —but they’re causing panic at airports nationwide.
Because the kiddie obsessions are filled with well over 3.4 ounces of liquid (the very thing that makes them “squish”), law-abiding TSA agents have no choice but to toss the children’s toys before takeoff.
One such trinket tragedy unfolded in a TikTok from Orange County, Calif. mom Celine Trang.
Her 9-year-old daughter Cassie was left bereft at the Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina when a TSA agent flagged the girl’s large butter-shaped squishy — a notoriously hard-to-find toy — because its contents were considered “a liquid.”
Cassie had been set on showing her treasured toy to her best friend, whom she and her mother were visiting.
“[The TSA agent] explained that people sometimes empty squishies and replace the contents with other substances,” the older Trang told Yahoo.
Trang knew she needed to comply with the rule.
Still, she was left with a stressful dilemma and had to think on her feet.
“We have 20 minutes to board, and this is a child’s toy,” she remembered thinking.
Trang gave the girl two options — she could either let the TSA agent chuck her beloved toy, or send it home through the airport’s guest services department.
Cassie chose the second option, so the mother-daughter duo were escorted by a TSA agent and security guard outside the checkpoint, where they quickly mailed the forbidden toy before making their flight in the nick of time.
Trang, who had “no idea squishies could be flagged,” believes the TSA rule needs to be more widely known, especially as the toy becomes a Gen Alpha must-have.
“There should be more awareness before families get to the airport,” she said. “Parents shouldn’t have to find out at the checkpoint with a crying child and a boarding clock ticking.”
And if misery loves squishy company, Trang and her daughter have some new BFFs.
TikTok is loaded with dozens of similar videos, some featuring children having actual meltdowns after being separated from their beloved fidget friend.
“PSA: Do not bring squishies or Needohs through TSA unless you want to lose them forever [and] deal with a crying child through the airport,” TikTok user @everyday.with.erica captioned her vid, which shows a collection of pink squishy toys being sternly handled by a TSA agent.
Even adult fans of the fad have been made anxious by the travel policy.
“I heard TSA is confiscating squishies, will my dumpling make it?!” posted @hannahmichelle555, though the influencer managed to squeak through security undisturbed.
For worried parents with kids’ whose toys don’t fit that bill, how can they make sure their children’s prized possessions make it to their destinations safely?
In August, the TSA released a specific announcement about traveling with the gel-filled toys.
“Gel-filled toys that appear to have less than 3.4 ounces of gel or liquid and meet 3-1-1 requirements are permitted in your carry-on bag and must comply with TSA policy for liquids, gels, and aerosols,” the announcement reads. “They must fit in a quart-size resealable bag, with your other liquids, gels, and aerosols.”
The 3-1-1 rule allows 3.4 oz. or smaller individual containers in one quart-sized bag per traveler.
If travelers are too anxious to chance their child’s happiness with a carry-on, parents can put the toys in their checked luggage to avoid a potential meltdown, with one internet tip advising to pack them between soft clothes to avoid any tearing mishaps.
Squishy manufacturers are also discouraging sly parents from trying to skirt the rules by freezing the toys to comply with the rule, warning it will cause the inner material to degrade.
Instead, toy companies are encouraging parents to buy more squishies specifically for travel.
“Most Needoh contain a gel or liquid and exceed 3.4 oz., except our Needoh Teenies, which are all under the limit,” Paul Weingard, president of Schylling, which produces Needoh, said in an interview with Parade.
“Also, our Snowball Crunch is filled with cornstarch and not a liquid so that’s acceptable.”
Parents can tell their kids “no” when asked to bring squishies along on a trip.
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