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Which? reports that Needoh Squishy and Squishy Dumpling advent calendars are sold out, and recommends other sensory calendars and toy boxes available through retailers. The report also relays a Swansea Trading Standards warning that some dumpling toys may fail UK safety requirements; buyers are advised to check product markings and seller details.
Needoh Squishy and Squishy Dumpling advent calendars have sold out, according to consumer group Which?, prompting it to point shoppers toward other sensory toy calendars and alternatives. The report also warns buyers to check unfamiliar squishy toys carefully after Swansea Trading Standards said some dumpling toys it examined did not meet UK safety requirements.
Which? says its list of five alternatives trending in 2026 was compiled with help from its social media team, which had seen the products trending on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Its options range from 24-day calendars to a 12-day calendar and a six-door surprise box. The article advises against rushing to buy an unknown substitute simply because a popular product is unavailable.
The listed products include the Squishmallows Squish-a-longs Wave 7 Advent Calendar, with 24 mini figures, and Scrunchems’ 24 Days Squish Ball Advent Calendar, which Which? says has varied textures, including glow-in-the-dark, glitter and colour-changing toys. The Scrunchems calendar was listed as a £35 pre-order from Menkind when the report was published; prices and availability can change.
Other options include a 24 Days Sensory Advent Calendar with a mix of fidget toys that can be squeezed, spun, stretched or popped, and Squishmallows’ Micromallows 12 Day Advent Calendar. Which? also included a Scrunchems Fidget Surprise Box with six doors, while noting it is not an advent calendar. The article describes product features and potential drawbacks, but does not provide independent safety test results for every item on its list.
Choosing Toys Beyond the Sold-Out Calendars
For families looking for a seasonal toy, the shortage of sought-after calendars can make unfamiliar alternatives appear attractive. But availability is not the same as safety: Which? says some dumpling-style toys have been replicated by different manufacturers, and Swansea Trading Standards has raised concerns about some of them. Checking basic product information can help shoppers identify who is responsible for a toy and whether it carries the relevant UK conformity marking.
The alternatives also differ in what they offer. Some focus on miniature collectible figures, while others include a broader mix of tactile activities or fewer daily surprises. That distinction matters to shoppers trying to match a toy to a child’s preferences without assuming every product marketed as “sensory” contains the same type or number of toys. The source report does not compare the products through a formal test or recommend one as best overall.
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Why Dumpling Toys Prompted Safety Checks
Squishy and fidget toys have become popular gift options, with Which? describing the Needoh and Squishy Dumpling calendars as items on children’s wish lists. Their popularity has also led to similar-looking products from multiple manufacturers. Which? says this variety has made it harder for shoppers to distinguish legitimate products from items that may not comply with UK requirements.
According to the report, Swansea Trading Standards began an investigation after concerns that some dumpling toys had a noticeable odour. Subsequent testing found that some products contained hazardous chemicals, Which? reported. The supplied report does not identify the specific products tested, name the chemicals, or give test results for each item, so the warning should not be read as applying to every dumpling toy.
Which? advises shoppers to look for clear instructions on what to do if a toy leaks or is punctured, a CE or UKCA mark, and the name and address of a UK-based responsible person, such as an importer or manufacturer. It also recommends caution if a toy has a strong or unusual chemical smell. These checks do not establish that an individual product is safe, but they can help buyers assess whether basic safety and accountability information is present.
““While it’s tempting to snap up whatever is left online, it’s worth watching out for unsafe Squishy dupes.””
— Which?
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Stock, Prices and Test Findings
Retail availability is time-sensitive, and the report’s product list reflects the period when it was published. It does not establish whether the sold-out calendars have since been restocked or whether the listed alternatives remain available at the stated retailers and prices.
The supplied material also does not give the names of the dumpling toys tested by Swansea Trading Standards, the chemicals detected, or the level of exposure that testing found. It is not clear whether any products were recalled or whether further enforcement action followed. The warning concerns some products, not all squishy toys or all dumpling-style toys.
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Check Current Listings Before Buying
Shoppers can check current listings with retailers and review the product packaging or listing for safety instructions, CE or UKCA marking, and a UK responsible person’s details. If a product has a strong or unusual smell, Which? advises caution. Families considering alternatives should also check whether a calendar contains the kind of toy they want and whether it offers 12 or 24 days of surprises.
Further clarity on the trading standards concerns would depend on additional information from the authority or follow-up reporting, including product identities and any action taken. Until then, the report’s practical guidance is to avoid treating a similar appearance or social media popularity as proof of safety, and to confirm stock and prices directly with sellers.
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Key Questions
Which advent calendars are reported sold out?
Needoh Squishy and Squishy Dumpling advent calendars are described by Which? as sold out. The report does not give a retailer-by-retailer stock check, so availability may vary or change.
What alternatives does Which? list?
The options include two Squishmallows calendars, Scrunchems’ 24 Days Squish Ball Advent Calendar, a 24 Days Sensory Advent Calendar and the six-door Scrunchems Fidget Surprise Box. The surprise box is not an advent calendar, according to Which?.
What safety checks does the report recommend?
Which? advises checking for clear instructions on leaks or punctures, a CE or UKCA mark, and the name and address of a UK-based responsible person. It also says to be cautious if a toy has a strong or unusual chemical smell.
Are all dumpling toys unsafe?
No. The report says Swansea Trading Standards found that some products failed UK safety requirements and contained hazardous chemicals. It does not say that all dumpling toys are unsafe or identify every product tested.
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