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.
If you wish to explore the complete selection of available Squishmallows, kindly click the link provided below.
What Was The First Ever Squishmallow?
The Kellytoy company made the first-ever Squishmallow, Cam the 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. But what's the best Squishmallow?
Who is Cam the Cat?
Based on my research, 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.
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.
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. But what are Squishmallows really made of?
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!
Cam the Cat holds a special place in the hearts of Squishmallow collectors as the very first Squishmallow to grace our lives.
Alongside Cam, based on my research, the inaugural squad introduced us to a delightful group of characters including 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!
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
