Manhattan Baby Skwish Classic Review

Skwish charmed me over two years ago because it is my kind of toy. It is not plastic, needs no batteries, makes no noise, displays no licensed characters, looks aesthetically pleasing to adults, and is designed for completely open ended play. Just looking at it inspired me to think about physics, architecture, geometry, solar systems, and various atomic structures, and imagining that this toy might be good for HRH's brain was a pleasing notion.

I noticed immediately how engrossed the six-month-old HRH was by the Skwish. In that golden stage of infancy, when she really liked a toy, she told it so with soft cooing and singing, and this little knot of wooden beads and elastic strings got her full treatment. She was mystified by turning it around and around and watching the little beads slide. Shaking it produced a soft jingle, not a clatter or a rattle, which was the right amount of noise to amuse her but go ignored by me. I experienced a little sticker shock when I learned they cost fifteen dollars each. This gave me pause, but the pause was quite brief. It isn't every day I find a toy that hits so many good notes with me, and I liked the idea of my baby owning a Skwish.

This toy has won many awards for being both entertaining and unbreakable. Although it is supposed to be for babies 12 months and under, I can see how it would amuse anybody in the mood for a "stress ball" style toy. Now that HRH is two and a half, she still plays with the Skwish and it is in great condition.