DIYers Are Crafting Their Own Sold-Out NeeDoh, and You Probably Have Most of These Materials at Home
NeeDoh is one of those things that sounds kind of silly until you actually pick one up. It's basically a super squishy stress ball filled with this soft doughy stuff that you can squeeze, stretch, smush and fidget with nonstop. And for some reason, it's ridiculously satisfying. Like, you'll grab one for two seconds and suddenly realize you've been mindlessly squishing it through an entire movie.
People are obsessed with them because they're calming without even trying to be. Kids love them, adults love them, stressed-out coworkers definitely love them. They've become the kind of thing people keep everywhere. Plus they come in all these fun colors and textures now, so collecting them has kind of become a thing too. So much so that NeeDoh has been selling out left and right.
Fortunately, crafty types have figured out that DIYing your own NeeDoh actually isn't that difficult, and doesn't take very many ingredients either. Just look at @poliii350 on TikTok, who seemingly whipped up a ball of the stuff in no time.
@poliii350 DIY Needoh Tutorial #fyp#viral#diy#needoh#xzcyba
Just The Way You Are - Milky & Mall Grab
She suggests starting out with roughly four tablespoons of potato starch, a super fine white powder that's commonly used in cooking and baking because it helps thicken things. Then, add a bit of cleansing gel to that mound (@poliiii350 used Nivea's Blooming Garden Shower Gel), mixing it together and adding more gel until the consistency has come together the way you like.
Next, you roll the "dough" onto a ball, then wrap it closely in plastic wrap, removing any air from the package. Tie it with a rubber band to keep it closed. Trim the excess plastic wrap down so that all you have left is that squishy ball of NeeDoh-like fun.
Related: Michaels' Stunning Sunflower-Inspired Outdoor Rug Brings Boho Charm to Any Patio
Why It Works
The reason potato starch and shower gel create that perfect NeeDoh texture is because they sort of balance each other out in a weirdly satisfying way. The potato starch thickens everything up and gives it that soft, doughy resistance, while the shower gel keeps it smooth, stretchy and squishable instead of turning into a solid lump. Together, they make this texture that's somewhere between slime, putty and bread dough-but softer and cooler feeling in your hands.
And we, as humans, are apparently very easy to please when it comes to squishing things. There's something about repetitive squeezing and stretching that tells your brain to chill out for a second. It gives your hands something simple to focus on, which helps quiet all the mental tabs open in your head. It's kind of the same reason people pop bubble wrap, doodle during meetings, or pet dogs absentmindedly. Your brain likes repetitive sensory stuff because it feels predictable and calming.
Related: Aldi Is Selling an Oversized Deck Box Perfect for Corralling Outdoor Clutter
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 5:05 AM.