15 Comments
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Isabel Leicht's avatar

this is such a great idea, i'm adopting it today! my kid is already super engaged in the idea, and i love it as well. thank you!!!

Justina Driedger's avatar

This works so well! I wish I could share a photo in the comments.

Jen Odle's avatar

I don't have social media and had not been to a mall in ages, but last week I was there with my tween girls and they were pointing out dozens upon dozens of other kids/tweens with squishy dumplings in hard plastic cases. I am clearly late to the party here. (Is this a thing where you are?)

After wistfully glancing at a group of slightly older girls, the girls came over and gave my girls 2 of these squishy dumpling things. You would have thought Taylor Swift herself sauntered over at the look on their faces.

Since then I was thinking of writing in and suggesting that be a topic of one of your letters--a fun tween-approved alternative to squishy junk. AND THEN today I read an article stating an elevated cancer risk/endocrine disrupting properties in these things. I told my girls and immediately they threw them out.

All that to say, after seeing this what a cool alternative! Something fun and malleable/squishy to play with in your hands, a little case to keep it in, and even better that they can use it to make stamps. I wonder if you have any other ideas for things that might fit the bill for something squishy and pliable or other fidget-like toys for older kids to enjoy.

We have had the same set of modeling beeswax for years that I even love to play with when I have a long zoom/phone meeting, so that would work too. I'd just love to get something into the hands of preteens that won't hurt them or the planet, is that so much to ask?? (I know you know!).

Erin Boyle's avatar

Can’t overstate my disdain for the squishy industrial complex!

Jen Odle's avatar

I am not proud to share that I just spent $40+ ordering two crochet dumplings in little round paper boxes on Etsy.

Erin Boyle's avatar

desperate times!

Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

I’m not super crafty, but I ordered the supplies to try this. I’d love to make gifts for nieces and nephews who I will see this summer. Thank you!

Lois Baldwin's avatar

This is a great project!! Will be making many of these!! ❤️

Janice Flemming's avatar

What is the little bag?

Erin Boyle's avatar

it’s a tiny bag woven on a piece of cardboard and made out of an old t-shirt! the project is in the book MAKING THINGS that I wrote with @Rose Pearlman!

Christy's avatar

Whee! You just gave me the perfect summer fun project, thanks Erin!

Erin Boyle's avatar

So glad!

Christy's avatar

Oh, and I love the little (stamped?) summer top you are wearing at the end, did you make that too?

Elizabeth's avatar

Now this is a fully brain-engaged activity! And so cute and neat!

Erin Boyle's avatar

Totally!