A trendy toy called a “squishy,” a soft, squeezable object sold in many shapes and sometimes filled with gel, liquid, or colored beads, has become hugely popular with children across Israel. But parents and doctors are now warning that the seemingly harmless toy can cause injuries. This week, a 6-year-old girl from central Israel needed hospital treatment after a squishy burst and pieces lodged in her ear.
Hospitals said they have not yet seen other cases requiring medical intervention, but worried parents are sharing similar experiences online. Hana Amzalag of Dimona said her 7-year-old daughter Noam was hurt last week when a squishy exploded in her face. She said the toy contained a white liquid “like glue,” covered the child’s face, frightened her, and left her eyes stinging even after washing. The family later threw away the toy, and Amzalag said they no longer want such products in the house. Another mother, Rona, said her two daughters, ages 5 and 8, love the toys, but every one she bought “exploded the same day,” leaving behind difficult-to-clean material.
Dr. Ofir Bar-On, a senior physician at Schneider Children’s Medical Center’s pulmonary institute, said the case shows that toys that look safe can cause serious harm. He warned that broken toys or those with small parts can get stuck in the ear or nose, be swallowed, or be inhaled into the lungs. He noted that Schneider regularly treats children who swallow or inhale foreign objects, including magnets, button batteries, marbles, beads, coins, and small toy parts, and said button batteries can cause severe esophageal burns within hours while swallowed magnets can require emergency surgery.
Bar-On said Schneider displays dozens of objects removed from children’s bodies in two display cabinets, one in the gastroenterology unit and one in pediatric intensive care, as a reminder that small items can quickly become life-threatening. The warning comes as summer vacation begins, a period when child injuries rise. According to Beterem Child Safety data, 29 children died in accidents during summer 2025, from June 21 to August 31, mainly in road crashes, drowning, and suffocation. Nearly half were ages 0 to 4, 41 percent of the deaths were among Arab children, and children from the ultra-Orthodox community accounted for about 17 percent. Beterem CEO Orly Silbinger urged parents not to assume “it won’t happen to me,” and said summer increases risks from drowning, children left in cars, traffic accidents, and falls from height.
