Squishmallows are irresistibly squishy and huggable plush toys that took the world by storm, captivating both young and old with their adorable designs.
As a devoted Squishmallow collector, let me take you back to where it all began.
Get ready for a delightful journey into the world of Squishmallows as we uncover what was the first Squishmallow.
Not all toy stores sell Squishmallows, especially the rare ones, so if you wish to explore the complete selection of available Squishmallows, kindly click the link below.
What Was The First Ever Squishmallow?
The Kellytoy company made the first-ever Squishmallow, Cameron the Cat, and the seven original Squishmallows in 2017.
Each Squishmallow character came with cute names and interesting personalities.
More commonly known as Cam the Cat, Cameron loves to build forts with his best buddies, Wendy and Hoot.
He also loves jumping in and out of boxes and skateboards to get around town.
Even today, a 52-inch Cam, the Calico cat still makes appearances at various trade shows and events. But what's the best Squishmallow?
Because many people love it, Squishmallows often sell out fast. Hurry up, join the Squishmallow craze, and get yours before it's gone again!
Who is Cameron the Cat?
Through my interactions with other collectors, I've learned that Cameron the Cat is a Calico cat and a feline friend. Aside from jumping in and out of boxes, he loves going to the beach.
He and his friends love to catnap, but Cameron the Cat is one busybody when it comes to adventures!
Cameron's birthday is December 18, and he aims to travel around the world. However, while he couldn't travel yet, he set his eye on sailing, his new hobby!
Cam has a cream body with black and brown patches. His eyes are always closed, he has black whiskers, and he sports a pink, happy cat mouth!
When Was the First Squishmallow Released?
The first Squishmallow, Cam the Cat, was released in 2017 when Kellytoy launched the eight original Squishmallows.
However, the plush toys didn't trend like crazy when they were first released.
It took at least three years until they got the limelight in 2020 when Tiktok Gen Z residents flexed their frog, hedgehog, fox, penguins, and other characters of Squishmallows. But what's the cutest Squishmallow ever?
Where Was It Sold First?
The first-ever squishmallow was sold at Walgreens in 2017. Cam the Cat came in three different sizes, 8, 12, and 16 inches, according to Jonathan Kelly, co-founder and co-president of Kellytoy.
Walgreens is a giant American chain of pharmacy drug and general merchandise stores. It sells various health and hygiene products, food, beauty products, drinks, and Squishmallows!
Can You Still Buy the First Squishmallow?
Yes, you can still buy the first Squishmallow at Walgreens. Aside from its original selling store, Squishmallows is also sold at other online stores like Toynk, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
Walgreens still sells Squishmallows in their physical and online stores throughout the United States.
Toynk also offers limited editions and exclusive Squishmallows, so you had better check out our collection and join the Squishmallow craze! But are there fake Squishmallows?
How Much Is It? (Then vs Now)
Some collectors claim that Cameron the Cat cost $15 when it first came out. Now, a 5-inch Cameron the Cat costs about $5, while a 16-inch one costs about $109.
The pricing of the first-ever Squishmallow is mostly the same because it isn't considered a super rare Squishmallow collectible.
Also, the rarest squishmallows are super popular in the world that they cost around $1,399 to $2,000 on eBay.
Fun fact: Squishmallows gained viral popularity during the pandemic, becoming a comforting trend on social media platforms like TikTok and bringing joy to collectors worldwide.
The First Squishmallow Squad
When Kellytoy launched the Squishmallows in 2017, they created eight original Squishmallows available at Walgreens.
Characters like Cameron the Cat, Wendy the Frog, Piper and Puff the Penguin, Hans the Hedgehog, Hoot and Holly the Owls, and Fifi the Fox are loved by many.
Read: Squishmallows Catalog
Is the First-Ever Squishmallow Rare?
Technically speaking, the first-ever Squishmallow isn't considered "super" rare. Unlike most rare Squishmallows like Jack the Black Cat, it did not have an overwhelming price.
The first Squishmallow plush toy was relatively easy to find because you can still order this Squishmallow online.
However, being the first-ever Squishmallow with a collector number of 1, Cam the Cat is very special and can be limited edition. But what are Squishmallows made of?
Expansion & Legacy
The debut of Cam the Cat paved the way for what would become a robust catalog of Squishmallows.
As the collection grew, so did their cultural impact—spawning a community of collectors and fans who not only buy the products but also engage with each other and the brand through social media.
FAQs
When did Squishmallows become viral?
Thanks to social media, particularly TikTok, squishmallows became viral during the pandemic.
Collectors say the stuffed animals have comforted them in a painful year and that hunting for them has fostered a much-needed sense of community during an extended period of isolation [1].
Lenora the Loon is an aquatic bird with a white neck filled with vertical black stripes, a grey body, and black wings. It is one of the rare Squishmallows that became viral. Characters like a fox, frog, hedgehog, and other stuffed animals from the brand are well-loved by many.
Who started the Squishmallow trend?
Gen Z fans have made the Squishmallow trend. They made the plush a true social-media phenomenon in 2020 by making thousands of videos featuring these plush toys on TikTok.
They post different characters from the brand, like the Squishmallow frog, fox, or hedgehog. Popular TikTok creators like @mooptopia have posted about Squishmallows since mid-2020 [2].
How did the first Squishmallow become popular?
The first Squishmallow gained popularity through social media and word of mouth, and its irresistibly soft and squishy nature. Its rise to fame can be attributed to its enchantingly soft and squishy texture, which captivated the hearts of many.
Furthermore, the popularity of the Squishmallow Family soared with the help of social media platforms, where enthusiasts shared photos and reviews, spreading the word about this delightful plush toy.
Additionally, glowing recommendations from satisfied customers contributed to its reputation, leading to an ever-growing fanbase drawn to its irresistible charm.
Let’s Squish ‘Em All!
Cam the Cat holds a special place in the hearts of Squishmallow collectors as the very first Squishmallow to grace our lives.
Alongside Cam, as an avid collector, I own a personal Squishmallow collection of characters like Wendy the Frog, Fifi the Fox, Hans the Hedgehog, Piper and Puff the Penguins, and Hoot and Holly the Owls.
It's no wonder even famous TikTok stars like Charli D'Amelio and Lady Gaga organically post photos of their Squishmallow collections!
If you wish to add more Squishmallows to your collection, don't forget to check out Toynk! We have the rarest squishmallow, which goes out of stock quickly, so get yours now!
References:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/style/squishmallows.html
- https://www.insider.com/squishmallow-squishmallows-walgreens-disney-cvs-viral-collectors-social-media-frog-2021-2
