Dumpling squishies blew up on TikTok, and now they're one of the hardest sensory toys to actually get your hands on. The cute pleated design, the satisfying slow-rise squeeze, and the thrill of pulling a glittery rare one have turned a $5 impulse buy into a genuine treasure hunt. If you've been refreshing the Five Below page only to see "out of stock" again, you're not alone.
This guide breaks down every place to buy a dumpling squishy right now, what each one actually costs, which ones to avoid, and how to win the mystery box game. No fluff, just where to click and what to expect.
Table of Contents
- Why Dumpling Squishies Keep Selling Out
- Five Below: The Original Source
- Amazon: Fastest Shipping and Mystery Boxes
- Target, Walmart and Dollar Tree
- Etsy and eBay for Collectors
- Where to Buy in Bulk
- Full Comparison of Where to Buy
- The Dumpling Squishy Mystery Box, Explained
- How to Spot a Quality Squishy vs. a Cheap Knockoff
- FAQ
Why Dumpling Squishies Keep Selling Out
The short version: demand outran supply almost overnight. A handful of viral videos showing people unboxing the glittery "Golden Ticket" dumpling sent thousands of shoppers to the same shelves at once.
Five Below responded by posting an inventory notice and capping purchases at three per person, per day to slow down resellers and spread stock around. That limit tells you everything about how tight supply is. It also explains why so many people now search for better places to buy than the original retailer.
If your local Five Below is empty, that's expected, not bad luck. The good news is there are several reliable alternatives.
Five Below: The Original Source
Five Below is where the trend started, and it's still the cheapest place to buy a genuine dumpling squishy when stock exists. Most run around $5 or less, including the sought-after glitter and "Golden Ticket" styles.
The catch is availability. Stock arrives in waves and disappears fast, both in stores and online.
How to actually land one at Five Below:
- Sign up for restock notifications on the product page so you get an email when inventory returns.
- Check in-store early in the day, since trucks often restock overnight.
- Use the store stock checker on fivebelow.com before driving over.
- Remember the 3-per-day limit, so bring a friend if you want more.
Five Below wins on price and authenticity. It loses on convenience. If you need one this week for a gift or party, you'll probably want a backup option.
Amazon: Fastest Shipping and Mystery Boxes
Amazon is the most practical choice for most people. You won't get the rock-bottom Five Below price, but you'll get reliable stock and fast delivery, which matters when the local shelves are bare.
Amazon carries individual dumpling squishies and dumpling squishy mystery boxes, where you pay a set price for a randomized assortment. Expect to pay a premium over $5, typically in the $10 to $25 range depending on the pack size and seller.
A few tips before you buy on Amazon:
- Read recent reviews, not just the star average, to confirm sellers are shipping the real thing.
- Check photos uploaded by buyers to see actual product quality.
- Favor listings with clear counts ("set of 6") over vague bundles.
For anyone who values certainty over saving a few dollars, Amazon is the safest bet.
Target, Walmart and Dollar Tree
These big-box and discount stores round out the mid-tier and budget options.
Walmart stocks dumpling squishies through its marketplace and in some stores. Pricing is competitive, though listings are scattered across third-party sellers, so quality varies. Check the seller rating before checkout.
Dollar Tree is the budget surprise. Its Mystery Squashy Dumpling steamer-basket set comes in at just $1.25, making it the cheapest entry point anywhere. Don't expect the premium glitter finish, but for younger kids or party favors, it's hard to beat.
Target carries the Link-brand dumpling squishy mystery box, and this one comes with a warning. It currently sits at roughly 1.9 out of 5 stars across dozens of reviews, with buyers flagging poor quality and disappointing contents. If you shop Target, go in with low expectations or skip this particular listing.
Etsy and eBay for Collectors
If you're chasing specific or rare styles, the resale and handmade markets are where the unusual stuff lives.
Etsy sellers offer curated mystery boxes and unique designs you won't find in chain stores. Prices run higher, but collectors often pay for the variety and the chance at styles that never hit mainstream retail.
eBay is the resale market, mostly RMS-brand and authentic Five Below pieces being flipped. Expect clear markups, sometimes double or triple retail, especially on the glitter and Golden Ticket versions. eBay makes sense only if you want a sold-out style badly enough to pay the premium.
Where to Buy in Bulk
Teachers, party planners, and event organizers have a route the casual guides ignore: wholesale.
Suppliers like Novelty Inc. (noveltyincwholesale.com) sell dumpling squishies, including Fun Doh-brand options, in case quantities meant for retailers. Per-unit prices drop sharply at volume, which makes this ideal for classroom prizes, goodie bags, or fundraisers.
Most wholesalers require a business account or a minimum order, so this isn't for buying one or two. But if you need 50, it's the most economical path by a wide margin.
Full Comparison of Where to Buy
| Retailer | Typical Price | Stock Reliability | In-Store? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Below | ~$5 or less | Low (frequent sellouts) | Yes | Lowest price on authentic styles |
| Amazon | $10–$25 | High | No | Fast shipping, mystery boxes |
| Walmart | ~$5–$15 | Medium | Some stores | Competitive pricing |
| Dollar Tree | $1.25 | Medium | Yes | Cheapest option, party favors |
| Target | ~$10–$20 | Medium | Yes | ⚠️ Low-rated, buy with caution |
| Etsy | $15–$40+ | High | No | Unique and rare designs |
| eBay | Marked up | High | No | Sold-out styles (at a premium) |
| Wholesale | Lowest per unit | High | No | Bulk and group orders |
The Dumpling Squishy Mystery Box, Explained
The mystery box is half the fun and half the frustration. You buy a sealed assortment and don't know exactly which dumplings you'll get.
Most boxes mix three tiers:
- Standard styles in solid colors, the most common pulls.
- Glitter styles, more sought-after and less frequent.
- Rare styles, like the Golden Ticket, that appear in a small fraction of boxes.
A few things to keep in mind so you don't overpay:
- Bigger boxes improve your odds of a rare pull simply because you're opening more.
- Compare per-dumpling cost, not just the box price. A $20 box of 8 beats a $15 box of 4.
- Amazon and Etsy tend to offer the best-value mystery boxes, while resale-market boxes carry the steepest markups.
- There's no guarantee of a rare style in any single box, so buy for the fun of the surprise, not as an investment.
How to Spot a Quality Squishy vs. a Cheap Knockoff
The viral demand brought a wave of low-quality imitations. A good dumpling squishy should:
- Rise back slowly after you squeeze it, not snap back instantly or stay flat.
- Feel dense and smooth, with no sticky residue or strong chemical smell.
- Hold crisp pleated detail rather than looking blobby or melted.
- Come from a seller with recent positive reviews and real buyer photos.
If a deal looks far cheaper than everywhere else and the seller has no track record, treat it as a red flag. The few dollars you save rarely survive the disappointment.
FAQ
Why is the Five Below dumpling squishy always out of stock?
TikTok virality created demand that far exceeds supply. Five Below restocks in waves and limits purchases to three per person per day, so inventory sells out quickly each time it lands.
Where can I buy a dumpling squishy if Five Below is sold out?
Amazon is the most reliable alternative with fast shipping and mystery boxes. Walmart, Etsy, and Dollar Tree are solid backups, and eBay carries sold-out styles at a markup.
How much should a dumpling squishy cost?
Around $5 at Five Below, $1.25 at Dollar Tree, and $10 to $25 for mystery boxes on Amazon. Resale listings on eBay can run well above retail.
Are dumpling squishy mystery boxes worth it?
They're worth it if you enjoy the surprise and want variety. Compare the per-dumpling price across boxes, and buy bigger boxes for better odds at rare styles. Don't expect a guaranteed rare pull.
Should I buy the Target dumpling squishy mystery box?
Be cautious. The Link-brand box on Target averages about 1.9 out of 5 stars, with reviewers citing poor quality. Other retailers are a safer bet.
Where can I buy dumpling squishies in bulk?
Wholesalers like Novelty Inc. sell them in case quantities at the lowest per-unit cost, which is ideal for teachers, party planners, and fundraisers.
Finding a dumpling squishy comes down to what you value most. Want the lowest price and don't mind the hunt? Watch Five Below and turn on restock alerts. Need one reliably and soon? Amazon is your friend. Chasing something rare? Etsy and eBay have it, for a price. Whatever route you pick, check seller reviews, compare per-unit cost, and squeeze with confidence.
Shop dumpling squishies
Ready to squeeze one for yourself? Browse the full dumpling squishy collection for mystery boxes, glitter styles, and steamer sets — or jump straight to the mystery boxes if the surprise is the whole point. Two fan favorites to start with:
Halloween Butter Squishy Assorted Set — Bulk Multi-Color Slow-Rising Fidget Toys
Eye Squeeze Toy — Bloodshot Eyeball Squishy Stress Relief
Ghost Squishy – Glitter Slow Rising Halloween Sensory Toy
Ghost Squishy Purple Glitter Slow Rising Kawaii Stress Toy
Halloween Butter Squishy 12-Pack Display Box — Assorted Slow-Rising Party Favors
Halloween Butter Squishy — Orange Trick-or-Treat Slow-Rising Stress Toy
Halloween Skull Squishy — Glitter Slow Rising Stress Toy
Kiwi Slushie Squishy Ball — Handmade Moldable Fruit Stress Ball

