Squish-a-longs Holiday Countdown Calendar – Includes 24 Mi

The Verdict

The 24-day wait is the real test — and this calendar mostly passes it.

If you’ve got a kid who’s already deep into the squishie obsession, you know the drill: you buy them one, they squeeze it for a week, and suddenly you’re acquiring a drawer full of them. The Squish-a-longs Holiday Countdown Calendar feeds that compulsion daily for nearly a month. But is it a genuinely good value, or just a clever way to sell 24 tiny toys at a markup? After digging through 215 ratings and the product specs, here’s the honest breakdown.

What’s actually in the box

You get 24 individually wrapped mini squish toys — one for each day leading up to Christmas. Each squish is roughly 2-3 inches, which is the sweet spot for small hands and backpack pockets. The calendar itself is a flat cardboard panel that folds out, so you can either prop it on a shelf or hang it. As shown in the product image, the front is festive without being tacky — think winter scene, not flashing lights.

The “Wave 3” designation matters. This is the third release in the Squish-a-longs line, which means the characters here are the newer batch, not the originals. If this is your first Squish-a-longs purchase, great — you’re getting the fresh lineup. If you’ve bought previous waves, check the character list before assuming you’re getting all-new ones.

Build quality and the squeeze test

Here’s where this calendar separates itself from the cheap knockoffs. The squish material has a decent density to it — it springs back quickly after compression rather than staying flattened like some dollar-store versions do. One buyer put it plainly: “My daughter has squeezed the same one every day since December 1st and it still holds its shape perfectly.” That’s the durability you want, especially if this is being used as a daily reward system rather than a one-and-done toy.

The individual wrapping is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it builds anticipation and keeps the toys clean until their day comes. On the other, the wrappers are thin plastic that kids can tear through in seconds — which leads to the biggest complaint I found.

Where it falls short

No door numbers. This sounds minor, but it’s the difference between a countdown and a free-for-all. Multiple reviewers noted that their kids just ripped the whole thing open on day one. One parent summed it up: “Great toys, but my 5-year-old didn’t understand why she couldn’t open them all at once. The packaging doesn’t indicate which is for which day.” If you’re buying this specifically for the countdown experience, you’ll want to either number the wrappers yourself or establish firm ground rules before December 1st.

The duplicate issue is real for collectors. If you’re buying this as a gift for a kid who already owns multiple Squish-a-longs sets, there’s a chance some characters will be repeats. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing before you drop the money.

Who should buy this

• The squishie obsessive (ages 4-10): If they already collect these, this is a no-brainer gift that feeds the habit for 24 days.
• The classroom or sibling crew: At roughly $1 per squish day, this is a cost-effective way to keep multiple kids entertained without buying 24 individual toys.
• The “I need a last-minute gift” shopper: The calendar format is self-contained — no assembly, no batteries, no mess. Wrap it, done.

Skip it if you’re buying for a kid who’s not already into squish toys. The novelty will wear off by day three, and you’ll have 21 tiny plastic toys rolling around your house.

FAQ

Q: Are the squish toys scented? A: No, these are unscented. If you’re used to scented squishies from other brands, adjust expectations — this is purely a tactile toy.

Q: Can you buy refills or just the toys separately? A: Not reliably. The individual squishies aren’t sold separately on Amazon, so this is a one-and-done purchase unless you buy another calendar.

Q: What age is this appropriate for? A: The manufacturer suggests 3 and up. The squishies are soft enough not to hurt, but the small size means supervision for kids under 3 who still mouth things.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You have a kid who already loves squish toys, you want a structured countdown activity, or you need a reliable gift for a young toy collector.

Skip it if: You’re hoping for a strict day-by-day countdown experience (you’ll have to DIY the numbering), or you’re buying for someone who already owns Waves 1-2 and might get duplicates.

Rating: 4.2/5 — Solid value, good build quality, and a genuinely fun daily reveal. The lack of day numbers and potential for duplicates keeps it from being perfect, but for most families, this is a winner that’ll get squeezed well past New Year’s.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.