Bizarre 'Organic Tamagotchi' Toy Challenges Kids to Keep Bacteria Alive

In November 2025, scientists from Northeastern University unveiled a bizarre new toy designed to get children to spend less time on electronics and more time caring for their possessions. The 'organic Tamagotchi', dubbed SquidKid, is filled with bioluminescent bacteria that children must keep alive through regular feeding, oxygenation, and agitation.

The SquidKid toy is inspired by the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid and the glowing Vibrio fischeri bacteria that allow the squid to emit light. Similarly, the SquidKid features a squeezable tentacle that pumps air into the water, prompting the bacteria to glow in response to the increased activity.

Unlike the classic Tamagotchi digital pets, the SquidKid requires children to care for a living, breathing organism. "Kids don't always treat their toys very well," explained Deirdre Ni Chonaill, one of the researchers behind the project. "In this case, you're actually killing something" if the bacteria are neglected.

The team behind SquidKid hopes the toy will not only teach children about microbiology and symbiosis but also encourage them to be more responsible caretakers. "It's also teaching kids how to take care of the environment and then learn biology, mutualism and environmental interdependence," said Katia Zolotovsky, assistant professor of Design and Biotechnology at Northeastern University.