In October 2021, Jazwares and Kellytoy celebrated a huge milestone when they surpassed 100 million Squishmallows sold in the US since their release in 2017.
With the overwhelming craze for these plush toys, it’s expected that more people wonder what makes these Squishmallows special.
Did you ever wonder what was the first Squishmallow?
All About the First Squishmallow
The Kellytoy company made the first-ever Squishmallow, Cameron the Calico Cat, along with 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.
Who is Cam the Cat?
Cam the Cat is a Calico cat and a feline friend. Aside from jumping in and out of boxes, he also loves going to the beach. He and his friends love to catnap, but Cam the Cat is one busybody when it comes to adventures!
Cameron’s birthday is December 18, and his goal is to take a trip 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 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 collection of Squishmallows! But what's the cutest Squishmallow ever?
Where Was It Sold First?
The first-ever squishmallow was sold at Walgreens in 2017. It 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 are also sold at other online stores like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Walgreens still sells Squishmallows in their physical and online stores throughout the United States. But are there fake Squishmallows?
How Much Is It? (Then vs Now)
Some collectors claim that Cam the Cat cost $15 when it first came out. Now a 5-inch cam the cat costs about $5 while a 16-inch costs about $109.
There isn’t much of a drastic change in the pricing of the first-ever Squishmallow because it isn’t considered a super rare Squishmallow collectible.
The Original Squishmallow Squad
When Kellytoy launched the Squishmallows in 2017, they created eight original Squishmallows available at Walgreens. They were Cameron the Cat, Wendy the Frog, Piper and Puff the Penguins, Hans the Hedgehog, Hoot and Holly the owls, and Fifi the Fox.
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. And it wasn’t too difficult 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 definitely a very special one.
FAQs
When did Squishmallows become viral?
Squishmallows became viral and popular during the pandemic, thanks to social media and, in particular, TikTok. Collectors say the stuffed animals have given them comfort in a painful year and that hunting for them has fostered a much-needed sense of community during an extended period of isolation [1].
Who started the Squishmallow trend?
The Gen Z fans made the Squishmallow trend. They made the plush a true social-media phenomenon in 2020 when they made thousands of videos featuring these plush toys on TikTok. Popular TikTok creators like @mooptopia have been posting about Squishmallows since mid-2020 [2].
Let’s Squish ‘Em All!
Even when the Squishmallow craze becomes more prominent as the year goes by, the first-ever Squishmallow created holds a special place in every collector’s heart. Cam the Cat, the adventurous cat-napper Calico cat, will always remain a soft, fluffy Squishmallow that everyone loves.
Squishmallows became successful not only because they are too soft and too cute to handle but also because they provided comfort and a huge emotional impact. 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!
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
