Pop it
 A pop it | |
| Type | Stress-relieving toy |
|---|---|
| Availability | 2019–present |
| Materials | Silicone |
A pop it is a fidget toy consisting of a usually-brightly colored silicone tray with pokable bubbles. It is similar to bubble wrap, though it can be flipped and re-used. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and are marketed as a stress-reliever. They rose in popularity in the spring of 2021 due to TikTok influencers as well as boredom and stress attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3][4]
Origin
Pop Its were originally invented in 1975 by Theo and Ora Coster, a married couple who had invented many games. There were no buyers to manufacture the toy until FoxMind acquired it in 2009. They made many iterations of the prototype, before partnering with Buffalo Toys and getting an exclusive deal with Target in 2019 under the name "Pop It!". The toymakers approached social media influencers, and it exploded in popularity. Many spinoffs of the toy were made.[2]
References
- ^ Tate, Allison (July 7, 2021). "Viral 'popit' toys are the new fidget spinners. What are they?". Today. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Hayes, Stephanie (July 8, 2021). "Pop It! fidget toys are in everyone's hands. But why?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Ayoub, Sarah (May 27, 2021). "Pop it, a hit: how a rainbow, reusable bubblewrap fidget toy became a playground must-have". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Velasco, Haley (August 18, 2021). "How Pop Its, the TikTok Sensation, Became the Toy of the Pandemic". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2021.