Bill Nichols is making cheap, squishy, collectible animal toys that come in plastic bubbles — just like what you’d find in a vending machine. He seems to be on to something because his toys, Squinkies ...

An animated dumpling called “Dart,” with a shiny gold chrome body that pops out of its head when you squeeze its squishy cheeks, is creating quite a stir as parents scramble to score one of this ...