Trends have been around since the 16th century, and some more recent ones have gone viral and show no sign of stopping. There are many trends out there, but four have had the greatest impact recently: 6-7, Needohs, Pop-its, and Dumplings.
The first one, “6-7,” had the greatest influence on people during the past year. “6-7” started with the song “Doot Doot” by Skrilla, and it spread when people, especially teens and younger kids, started saying it. It also started around the time the school year started. A lot of people claimed it was really annoying because kids were saying it everywhere. Schools started banning kids from saying it or just avoiding it in lessons. For example, in math, instead of asking a question where the answer was 67 or one of the numbers, they would ask a different question where the answer would not trigger it. In the article, “6-7 Meme”, by Nuwan I. Senaratna, it states, “It then blew up because of LaMelo Ball (an American basketball player who is coincidentally 6’7’’ tall) and a child named Maverick Trevillian who yells it several times per day.” As we moved into 2026, the “6-7” trend faded away as people moved on to the next big thing.
Needohs are currently one of the biggest trends, and many stores, including Target, have run out of them. Needohs are stress-relieving toys invented in 2018. They became popular because people loved how it felt when they squished them. But now they’re quite pricey. One Needoh Nice Cube costs $31 on Amazon. The price does not seem to deter people from buying these items, though. Needohs, originally designed for people with learning disabilities, are used by many people for stress relief. According to Jake Brown, a reporter and photographer for the Mill Valley News, he states, “Jones [a Jr. at a Kansas HS] emphasized that as long as they don’t distract people, they can be helpful for students…From my personal experience, I think they are beneficial and fun. I’ve never been distracted because of my NeeDoh, but it could be distracting if people are sharing it with other classmates.” But there have been incidents between Needohs and microwaves. When you put the Needoh in the microwave, it explodes, so don’t do that unless you’re looking to destroy your $31 Needoh and destroy your microwave. However unlike Pop-its, it can break, and inside is a sticky substance called polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for human touch.
Pop-its were popular in 2021, when YouTubers started saying that they were amazing at relieving stress. The toys were made in 2010 by 3D Fun Factory and invented by Günter Lenhardt. His idea was to make reusable bubble wrap, which he fulfilled by using silicone molds. Soon, stores struggled to keep them in stock and other companies seeing this decided to start making off-brand ones. In the article, “Need Fidgets,” it mentions, “Part of the appeal of Pop Its is their simplicity and versatility. Kids enjoy Pop Its as a fun tactile toy. Adults use them as stress relievers and fidget toys. They became a popular desk toy in classrooms, offices, and beyond. The toys also lent themselves well to DIY projects and customization crafts, further fueling engagement and interest.” Pop-its are for all ages and it seems that Pop-its are not as popular today, as not many people really use these for their purpose anymore.
The Dumpling Squishes are among the many squishes that have gone viral, and many people have been posting on social media in search of the rare Glitter Dumpling. People have posted videos of themselves buying whole boxes of Dumplings to find the glitter one, and many have found it. But unlike the Pop-its, Dumplings have been bought in crazy quantities, and stores have been running out as people try to find them. According to Alyssa Gautier, the author of “This Viral Glitter Dumpling Is TikTok’s Latest Obsession—Here’s How to Find One,” she says, “These adorable food toys are fun to squeeze, stretch, pinch, and roll. What’s most interesting about the obsession of squishy toys is that they appeal to kids, teens, and adults. I love squishing my toys throughout the work day to help me focus and keep from fidgeting.” You can also buy these toys at 5 below. People say that although the Dumplings are extremely hard to find, they are worth it.
These are only some of the trends that have gained popularity in recent years, and surely many more are to come. There are, of course, several others, such as water bottles, dances, and POVs, and trends are constantly changing. Something that seems like an everyday item today can turn into tomorrow’s big trend. Needohs, which originally came out in 2018, had only become a sensation 8 years later. Some of these things can last a long time, but others are cut short and forgotten because of something newer and shinier.
