Research-backed
Image: MomJunction Design Team
The best fidget toys for ADHD may help those with the condition. According to the American Psychiatric Association, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental condition that manifests in the form of inattention (inability to focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that might be inappropriate to the setting), and impulsivity (hasty actions taken at the moment without thought) (1).
A newsletter published by Flushing Hospital Medical Center states that the best fidget toys for ADHD can act as ideal tools for self-control, allowing people with ADHD to regain focus, remain calm, and pay more attention to their surroundings (2). Most fidget tools intended for those with ADHD, autism, and anxiety are meant to be squeezed, pressed, clicked, rubbed, or pulled to improve a person’s sensory and motor skills.
Another newsletter by Children’s Mental Health and Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Project states that fidget toys could help people with ADHD, autism, or sensory disorders to focus, plan work, remember information, or multi-task (3).
If someone you know shows symptoms of ADHD, the right fidget toys may be helpful to them. These tried-and-trusted toys are made of different materials and come in various shapes, vibrant colors, and mechanisms, so pick one that you think would be best suited to keep them calm.
Top Picks
10 Best Fidget Toys For ADHD
1. Best Portable:Fidgetland Rizzle Stress And Anxiety Toy
Image: Fidgetland The Fidgetland Rizzle is an innovative stress and anxiety toy designed specifically to help combat anxiety and improve focus in teens and adults with ADD and ADHD. It achieves this by providing a fast and fluid repetitive motion that aims to relieve stress and anxiety. The tried-and-trusted ADHD toy for kids and adults provides a discreet and noiseless outlet for stress relief, making it suitable for use in public or in quiet settings. With eight aluminum rollers and two interlocking rings, it is a durable and effective tool that effortlessly redirects stress and anxiety away from behaviors like nail biting and foot tapping.
2. Best Vibrant: Chicfunhood Sensory Fidget Toys Set
Image: Chicfunhood The pack has a wide range of stress relief hand toys suitable for adults and children with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. These sensory fidget tools include puzzle balls, stretchy strings, flippy chains, squishy grape balls, mesh, marble sensory toy, typical fidget spinner toys, and much more. These toys are made using non-toxic BPA-free materials, making them safe for children. The pocket-sized fidget toys are portable, vibrantly colored, and easy to hold in the palm of your hands.
Point to consider3. Best Sleek Design: BunMo Triple Controller Fidget Pad
Image: Bunmo The BunMo fidget pad is a sleek and compact triangular fidget toy that can easily fit into a pocket, bag, or purse, making it highly portable and perfect for travel. Its design features ten unique sensory functions, including a spinner, a ball-bearing roller, a joystick, and more. This diverse range of features helps in reducing stress, increasing productivity, and improving focus during work or study. The pad’s BPA-free construction ensures it is safe to use, while its translucent body gives it a sophisticated appearance that is ideal for adults.
4. Best Multicolored: Trekbest Infinity Cube Fidget Toy
Image: Tom’s Fidgets The multi-colored infinity cube is one of the best fidget toys for adults and children with ADHD, anxiety, and autism. It helps improve your finger movements and enhance focus by relieving stress. The pocket-sized, easy-to-carry, quiet fidget toy can be played with one hand. It is made from non-toxic and safe ABS plastic and has durable stainless steel links to hold it together without rusting or breaking. The fidget cube measures 1.6×1.6×1.6in and comes with a money-back guarantee.
Do remember5. Best Grip: Tom’s Fidgets Original Flippy Chain Fidget Toy
Image: Tom’s Fidgets Known to be suitable for ADHD, anxiety, and autism, this flippy chain fidget is a uniquely designed, heavy-duty fidget. It allows focusing your energy on fidgeting and reduces stress and anxiety. The toy is silent, easy to carry, and made from bike chains to prevent corrosion and rust. Besides, the stainless steel split rings and chain links provide texture, grip, and sturdiness. This product measures 0.43×2.36×2.4in and weighs 0.81oz. This product testing video by a reviewer can help you learn more about the product.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 6,654 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
6. Best For Pockets: Dciko Sensory Fidget Toys Set
The Dciko sensory fidget toy is a 24-piece set that could help people with ADHD relieve stress and focus their energy while using creative toys. The pack contains a variety of fidget toys, such as squishy animals, liquid motion timers, twist puzzle fidget toys, DNA stress balls, and rainbow magic puzzle cubes, offering several ways to relieve stress. These quality-tested and portable fidget tools are small and fit well in pockets and hands.
7. Best Non-Toxic: Neliblu Wacky Tracks Snap and Click Fidget Toys
Image: Neliblu This set has six tactile toys that offer stress relief and relaxation and improve focus in people with ADHD. The quality-tested fidget tool has a pivot twist or click mechanism to keep you engaged in building chains in creative ways. Each time the links are snapped together, it produces a satisfying click sound. There are 24 links made from non-toxic materials and are safe for children and adults. The item weighs 5oz and is ideal for children aged three and above.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,364 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
8. Best Easy-To-Clean: Lightbulb Ideas Yogi Fidget Toy
Image: Lightbulb Ideas The Yogi fidget toy by Lightbulb Ideas might be suitable for children and adults to reduce stress and anxiety. Its unique five-ring design lets you customize your fidget experience per your needs. This toy for kids and adults features a compact design for easy portability and is easy to clean. Made from durable ABS plastic, its supernova design provides a calming and soothing effect as you spin, allowing you to relax and prevent distractions. This easy-to-use hand fidget tool can be a suitable companion for those suffering from ADD, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. It can be used with one hand while doing other mundane activities like reading, writing, or attending a class or meeting.
9. Best Durable: BunMo Magnetic Fidget Rings
Image: Bunmo The BunMo fidget rings are creative fidget tools designed to spin, connect, and flip, allowing users to improve their focus and relieve anxiety. Tested for safety, these focus rings feature a magnetic design that connects and disconnects smoothly and are made of superior quality, non-toxic plastic material, offering durability. This lightweight toy is easy to carry to the office, school, or travel without worrying about them covering much space. Its innovative design, fun colors, and BPA-free material make this toy a fun and safe option.
10. Best Tear-Resistant: ZaxiDeel Fidget Sensory Toys
The six-pack therapeutic stretchy toys help you relieve stress and anxiety resulting from ADHD, autism, or hyper-anxiety. The dinosaur string’s subtle colors offer visual stimulation, and the small spikes of 5mm height offer tactile stimulation to give a pleasant sensory experience. You can stretch, wrap, squeeze, or pull strings for relaxation, and they still retain their shape.
The soft texture of the calming toys are safe and easy to clean. Made from thermoplastic rubber, these quality-tested, durable, and wear- and tear-resistant stretchy strings are versatile and can extend up to 58in. Each squeeze toy measures 8.6×3.9×1.2in and weighs 5.6oz.
How To Choose The Right Fidget Toy For ADHD?
Here are a few things to help you buy a fidget toy.
- Entertaining but not distracting: Look for fidget toys that allow smooth movements without drawing too much attention towards them. A fidget tool’s activity should not disrupt the work you are trying to focus on.
- Environment: Consider for whom and in what situation you might need a fidget toy. For instance, if the fidget toy is for a child to focus in class, you could choose a less engaging, or vibrant toy.
- Texture and type: Various fidget tools work differently, with each person meeting their sensory needs differently. There are multiple benefits of fidget toys—they may help you calm down, stay focused, and improve finger-hand movements. Along with ease of carrying and the feel-good factor, the toy should be easy to manipulate by squishing, pressing, pulling, clicking, etc.
- Quality: Consider buying a fidget toy made from good quality material to withstand frequent wear and tear. It should not break easily and offer enhanced sensory stimulation.
- Age range: Go through the manufacturer’s age recommendations and opt for fidget toys that are suitable for your child’s age.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do fidget toys help with ADHD?
Fidget toys are therapeutic devices. They can improve concentration in children and help those with ADHD focus (3).
2. What are the ideal fidget toys for anxiety?
Fidget spinners, stress balls, and cubes are some ideal toys for anxiety. They help calm the nerves and minimize stress.
3. Do fidget toys help with focus?
Yes, fidget tools use movement to help you stay focused. These toys also help children when they have to focus on more than one task (3).
4. Do fidget toys help with autism?
Yes, fidgeting helps people with autism stay calm and relieves stress. Thus, a is an excellent toy for autistic children and adults (4).
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is an experienced writer and reviewer with interest in children’s toys and gifts. Her impeccable research skills have enabled her to compile this list of the best fidget toys for ADHD in the market based on user reviews and data from related forums. In addition, she has provided all the relevant information for these products to help you choose what suits you best. These expert-approved fidget toys can help people with ADHD stay calm and remain focused.
The Bottom Line
Fidget toys for ADHD are great tools for managing hyperactivity and impulsivity, and they also help develop one’s sensory and motor skills and improve focus. Further, they also serve as a good distraction from stress and anxiety. These toys allow you to shuffle, click, rub, or press them, so the type of toy you invest in depends on your preference. The toy should withstand rough use if you intend to use it regularly. A fidget tool that is easy to use in office and classroom settings is ideal, as it can help you calm yourself no matter where you are. We’d suggest the Neliblu Wacky Tracks Snap And Click Fidget Toys for its safe, non-toxic quality, and the Chicfunhood Sensory Fidget Toys Set for its diverse collection to meet various sensory needs.
Infographic: What Are The Different Variants Of Fidget Toys?
A fidget toy can help those with ADHD to enhance their focus, memory, retention, and multitasking abilities to a certain extent. These toys can also be helpful for those with sensory disorders. Check out the following infographic to learn more about the types of fidget toys and their distinct features.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- What is ADHD?
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd - Can Fidget Toys Help Your Child’s Ability To Focus?
https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/can-fidget-toys-help-your-childs-ability-to-focus/ - How “Fidget Toys” Are Helping Kids With ADHD
https://www.pacer.org/cmh/learning-center/parenting/support-adhd/fidget-toys.asp - Sensory Issues
https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues
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