Do squishy fidget toys release toxic fumes kids can breathe in?

What's actually in it

Squishy toys, stress balls, and tactile fidget toys are usually made from polyurethane foam, thermoplastic rubber, or silicone blends. These soft, squeezable materials get their texture from chemical additives like plasticizers, solvents, and foaming agents. Many of those additives don't stay locked inside the toy. They slowly escape into the air as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Kids squeeze these toys for hours, often holding them close to their face. That means they're breathing in whatever the toy gives off. Younger children may also chew or mouth them.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Ecotoxicol Environ Saf tested VOC emissions from popular tactile toys sold in stores. The researchers measured exactly which chemicals these toys release and how much. They found several hazardous VOCs, including compounds known to irritate the lungs, damage the nervous system, and raise cancer risk.

The study also looked at what drives these emissions. Softer, more pliable toys tended to release more chemicals. Squeezing the toys increased the rate of off-gassing, which means the very thing kids do with them makes the exposure worse.

Some of the VOCs detected are on regulatory watch lists for indoor air quality. But most countries don't require toy makers to test for or label VOC emissions. So parents have no way of knowing what's coming off the toy just by reading the package.

The bottom line: these toys aren't just squishy fun. They're slowly releasing chemicals into the air your child breathes. Until manufacturers are required to test and disclose emissions, it's best to limit how much time kids spend squeezing them, especially in small, poorly ventilated rooms.