What Are Fidget Toys?
Updated by Brittany Vincent
Do you find yourself fidgeting with random objects when you're bored or anxious? Do you reach for items like zippers, pieces of paper, or small items that feel “good” to manipulate in your hands to lessen said boredom or anxiety? You're not alone. Fidgeting is a natural behavior that people often engage in when they’re upset, feeling restless, or just have an abundance of energy to channel into something.
Luckily, there are items called fidget toys that are made specifically for this purpose. You can use them to help reduce stress or keep anxious feelings at bay before they ever come on. But what are fidget toys, exactly? Here’s everything you need to know about fidget toys, how they work, and some of the different types available to buy.
What Are Fidget Toys?
Fidget toys are small, handheld devices that allow people to engage in repetitive motions or tactile sensations. You’ve probably seen them before: fidget spinners, cubes, Pop-Its, slimes, and many more. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to help invigorate the senses and invite a sense of calm for the user. They may come in rainbow packaging with fun scents, textures, and designs, but all share one purpose: to act as a distraction that can help improve focus and reduce anxiety.
One of the primary ways fidget toys work is by providing sensory feedback. When you play with a fidget toy, you’re working to “wake up” and stimulate various sensory receptors in your body. For example, if you reach for a fidget spinner, the spinning motion and the sound it makes as it spins can be very satisfying. Some even have lights to make for an even more exciting experience. This sensory feedback can help calm your nerves and reduce stress.
Fidget toys can also help improve focus by giving your brain something to do. If you're in a meeting or a class and your mind starts to wander, using a fidget toy can help keep your hands busy while you listen. This can help you stay focused on the conversation or lecture and retain more information. This is a common tactic some people use if they find themselves unable to stay focused.
What Kinds of Fidget Toys Are There?
There are a wide variety of fidget toys you can buy at different price points. They’ll all appeal to users in unique ways, from the texture of a squishy keychain to the fun spinning motion of a fidget spinner. You may have already seen some of these before, but just as a refresher, let’s break them down. You never know—there may be one you want to place an order for right away !
Fidget Spinners
Fidget spinners are one of the most popular types of fidget toys. They typically consist of a central bearing with two or three arms that spin around it. Fidget spinners come in a wide variety of colors and designs, and many people collect them as a hobby. They’re often used to relieve stress and improve focus, but they’re available with so many different options that many people simply collect them for fun.
Squishy Toys
Squishy toys are another type of fidget device that are designed to be squeezed and stretched. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple balls to more intricate designs like animals and food. Squishy toys can be very satisfying to squeeze and can help relieve tension and anxiety.
Tactile Rings
Tactile rings are small rings that are designed to be worn on the fingers. They typically have small bumps or ridges that provide tactile feedback when rubbed or touched. Tactile rings are a discreet way to engage in fidgeting behavior without drawing attention to yourself.
Fidget Cubes
Fidget cubes are small, handheld cubes with different features on each side. They typically include buttons to press, switches to flip, and gears to turn. Fidget cubes are designed to provide a variety of sensory inputs and can be a good option for people who need more than one type of stimulation to stay focused. They’re also typically the size of a die, so you can pocket them and go.
