| July 11, 2026 
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Squishies took over my life this year. If that sentence doesn’t make sense to you, congratulations. If it does, you probably have (or know) a tween. These toys, which come in all manner of shapes and textures, aren’t new, but they started trending in 2026. Kids have been scrambling to get “rare” ones like glitter dumplings and “the butter,” which seems harmless except to those of us who have been woken up with the words, “Can we go squishy hunting today?” Then a report surfaced of one child who left her squishy in a hot car and got severely burned. Toxic dumplings were recalled. One store owner told me she’d heard summer camps were banning squishies because children were getting too competitive with them. Sheesh. I asked my colleagues on the Well desk to investigate exactly how much danger we’re talking about. The answer is below, and my favorite part is a reminder for parents that is applicable to most situations: Don’t panic — just be aware of risks and talk to your kids about them. Also in this edition, A.O. Scott makes the case for everyone to read “The Odyssey” and Taffy Brodesser-Akner gives us a full-throated recommendation for cold plunging. For a more low-key weekend(er) activity, head to our guide to watch this year’s Emmy nominees. — Farah  | Taffy Brodesser-Akner Magazine writer | Readers, skeptics, arthritics: Thank you for reading what you will find to be either the least or most depressing story on our homepage today. It's been a couple of months since I did this. I keep meaning to go back, and something in me can't justify the time, or how galling I find it to live in a city where part of the population can do this for two hours in the middle of the day. I keep wondering if the magic of this for me was this particular thing I did, or the making time for it. I am mostly of the mind that self-care often means *not* doing the thing. Staying home. Watching TV. (My editors would reject that pitch for a column, though, I think.) Can anyone relate to this? Sorry to ask, but my therapist is off this week. |
| | Corinne Stockholm | lol it’s hilarious to read about how over the top and intense Americans always make sauna and cold plunge. This is basically free in Sweden and no you do not need music or essential oils or to burn yourself in a sauna to get the feeling. It is a lovely feeling though and such a good habit to get into. Well done Taffy! | | Taffy Brodesser-Akner Magazine writer | @Corinne This is a good point and deserves further investigation, and essential that my editors allow me to probe further. May I stay at your house for a week or so while I try it out? |
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