Research-backed
Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you have a child with special needs, getting them the best fidget toy is a good idea. Fidget toys offer tactile awareness and stimulation, keep the mind engaged, reduce anxiety, and improve fine motor skills. They are especially helpful for children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and ADD.
A fidget toy makes you feel calmer, reduces frequent distraction, and helps with stabilizing moods (1). It is also a great toy for developing children’s thinking and cognitive skills and improving their reasoning and attention span. Here is a list of some user-friendly and safe fidget toys that can be used in schools, at parties, or at home.
Top Picks
13 Best Fidget Toys In 2024
1. Best Stress-Relieving: Small Fish Infinity Cube Fidget Toy
Infinity cube fidget toy for children and adults can help relieve stress and anxiety. The pocket-sized fidget toy is easily portable and looks classy; therefore, you can even carry it to professional settings, such as schools and workplaces. This time-tested classic fidget toy is a combination of eight tough ABS plastic blocks linked with stainless steel metal rivets, making them durable and flexible for optimum sensory experience. You can check out this testing cum review video if you require more convincing about this fidget device.
Pros
- Can be handled in multiple ways
- Secure hinges keep the joints intact
- Can be played using one hand
- Helps in reducing fidgeting habits
- Compact tactile sensory cube
- Can be used as a desk toy
- Does not emit any noise upon usage
- Comes in variety of colors
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
"I bought this for my husband, and he liked it a lot�especially for its solid, all-black appearance. The weight feels substantial, but it operates smoothly. It's a decent choice to aid concentration or as a soothing pastime."
2. Best Colorful:Hhobby Stars Fidget Toys Pack
Image: Hhobby The 42-piece set by Hhobby Stars includes a variety of items, such as stretchy strings, squeeze balls, marble meshes, infinity cubes, magic cubes, hedgehog stress balls, slime, and more to offer endless fun. These fun yet stress-relieving toys are designed to keep your hands busy and redirect stress and anxiety away from harmful behaviors, such as nail biting, into productive and safe releases. These colorful toys are suitable for both entertainment and anxiety relief.
Pros
- Child-safe materials
- Can help relieve hyperactivity and restlessness
- Suitable fidget function for those with autism and ADHD
- Offers tactile sensory relief
Cons
- Some toys may not be durable enough
- May be smaller than expected
"I chose this set of fidget toys for kids during a family event, and thanks to the variety, everyone found something they enjoyed playing with. Some pieces are a bit flimsy, but the availability of options ensured all the kids had fun."
3. Best Stainless Steel: Tom’s Fidgets Flippy Chain Fidget Toy
Image: Tom’s Fidgets Made of stainless steel split rings, this flippy chain fidget toy offers hours of non-distracting fidgeting. This kids and adults metal fidget toy makes low noise, does not draw attention, and it allows one to use it in classrooms, meetings, and airplanes. The metal fidget toy can assist you in quitting smoking, avoiding distractions, reducing stress, relieving social tensions, keeping restless hands occupied, and avoiding other habits such as nail-biting and picking scabs. The O-ring in the fidget offers additional grip for easy movement. Learn more about this classroom-friendly fidget gadget and its usage in this review cum testing video.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant and durable build
- Additional texture does not fade upon usage
- Helps keep the fingers occupied
- Can be used as stocking stuffer
- Available in different shades
Cons
- May not be suitable for young children
- May have a peculiar metallic smell
Quick fact
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 6,654 positive reviews on Amazon.
4. Best For Playtime: Zen Laboratory Fidget Toy Pack
Image: Zen Laboratory If you’re planning a party for children or have several little ones at home, this toy pack is all you need. The 50-piece play set by the trusted brand Zen Laboratory is ideal for children’s parties as the set features challenging yet engaging games. These fidget toys provide an array of different shapes and textures for diverse sensory stimulation and include toys like classic fidget spinners, cubes, poppers, spike balls, squishy toys, and more, enabling each family member to choose their preferred fidget toy.
Pros
- Ideal for schools
- Washable and easy to clean
- Suitable for gifting
- Promote critical thinking
Cons
- May not be suitable for small children
5. Best For Improving Focus: Acerich Edamame Keychain Fidget Toys
The three-pack fidget toy is designed in the shape of a pea and one needs to squeeze the pods out repeatedly. The middle of the extrusion pea has a pea pod fidget with a cute facial expression to keep you engaged. It can help break bad habits, such as nail picking and finger rolling, and help you focus and keep away from distractions. You can carry this toy everywhere by attaching it to keys, backpacks, cell phones, or other devices, and it is suitable for children, adults, and the elderly.
Pros
- Comes in handy during brainstorming
- Sleek design
- Can be used during therapies
- Makes a great party favor
- Available in three or six pea pods
Cons
- The cute faces may fade away pretty quickly
- May pose a choking hazard
"I bought this set for me and my sister, and it proved helpful for its calming ability under stress. They look very charming and don�t make any sound, which is a bonus for using them at work. They are a staple in my bag for quick stress relief."
6. Best For Anxiety: Wuqid Infinity Cube Fidget Toy
Image: Infinity Cube The Wuqid gadget for anxiety relief allows you to play around, flip, fold, and perform other functions. This relaxing, noiseless, compact sensory device can keep your fingers engaged while helping you focus when studying. It can help children break habits such as shaking knees, clicking pens, or biting nails. The silent fidget toy is portable, user-friendly, and helps keep your children anxiety-free.
Pros
- Suitable for one-hand operation
- Offers tactile sensory relief
- Helps improve finger flexibility
- Can help relieve hyperactivity and restlessness
- Suitable for those with autism and ADHD
Cons
- May be slightly noisy
- May be smaller than you expect
"I first saw this Infinity cube at a cafe and had to have one for myself. It is a satisfying stress reliever with a pleasant weight and texture. Its audible clicking sound provides an appealing sensory experience, and it is quite simple to manipulate too."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 8,738 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
7. Best Versatile: Sago Brothers Push Pop Bubble Fidget Sensory Toy
The push pop bubble fidget sensory toy can help you concentrate and focus. This fun fidget toy works like an infinite bubble wrap to help you play numerous fun games, such as rock-paper-scissors or POP games. You can also think and come up with several games using this sensory fidget. It gives you complete creative possibilities and new ways of using it to avoid distractions.
Pros
- Suitable for children and teens
- Works well for those with ADHD
- Can be carried along when traveling
- Available in five colors
Cons
- May be larger than you expect
- May become a bit sticky over time
"My little one loved it as a Christmas present. He stays occupied, listening to the popping sound and poking at the soft texture. It is a good purchase for the sensory pleasure it provides."
Did you know?8. Best Travel-Friendly: Mr. Pen Spiky Sensory Rings
Image: Mr. Pen Mr. Pen’s spiky rings are small, space-efficient, and portable fidget toys that can easily fit into any bag, purse, or even pocket, making them completely travel-friendly. These rings come in a pack of ten and feature harmless spikes on the surface for ample sensory stimulation. Rolling the rings back and forth on the fingers can help with focus, concentration, and anxiety. In addition, their fade-proof, rust-proof, and anodized coating make the rings durable and strong.
Pros
- No-noise toy
- Ideal for people with ADHD and BFRB
- Can be used for stimulating acupressure points on the fingers
- Suitable for office
Cons
- Some may find the rings too tight
- May not be ideal for toddlers
9. Best Cute Design: iTechjoy Three Pack Pop Fidget Toys
Image: Itechjoy The fascinating and unique-shaped pop bubble fidget toys from iTechjoy are great for relieving stress and anxiety and improving mood. The kit contains three pop fidget toys shaped like ice cream, pineapple, and strawberry to attract children but are also suitable for adults. They are made of high-quality silicone material that has the perfect thickness and feels soft and comfortable to touch and pop. These skill-building fidget toys can help improve children’s logical thinking skills and stimulate their senses.
Pros
- Colorful design
- Comfortable and soft material
- Ideal size to hold or carry
- Suitable for quiet places
- Encourages interaction and group play
- Durable and portable
- Waterproof material
Cons
- Some may not like the peculiar smell
- May be thinner than expected
"My niece was elated to receive this colorful pop toy set and spent significant time exploring it. It has different textures and varying levels of �pop� sound. The material tends to attract dust, thus requiring safe storage, but it's durable and fun to play with."
10. Best Sensory: Bunmo Sensory Fidget Toys
Image: Bunmo These colorful stretchy strings by Bunmo enhance your sensory skills. The textured design keeps your fingers engaged and helps you relax. These creative fidget toys also help prevent frequent distractions and can make the child or adult creative and improve their mood. You can use these fidget toys for children with autism, ADHD, or ADD.
Pros
- Helps improve focus and prevent stress
- Each texture on the toy is unique
- Can encourage imaginative play
- Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
- Latex-, BPA-, and phthalate-free
Cons
- Small parts may pose a choking hazard
- May attract dirt pretty quickly
"The stretchy strings have found a permanent place in my toddler�s toy collection and heart. They are versatile, colorful, and flexible, offering endless entertainment and sensory engagement. It is truly a delightful product for stress relief and imaginative engagement."
11. Best Revolutionary:Icosa The Atomic Fidget Ball
Image: Brainwright Icosa’s atomic fidget ball is a revolutionary product that offers a unique and fun way to keep your hands busy, relieve stress and improve focus. It features 12-string connected spherical balls that can be rattled, twisted, and rotated in multiple directions. Measuring 8 x 3 x 5 inches, the toy features lots of colors and can be used to divert one’s attention during stressful situations. Moreover, it is an ideal desk fidget toy for adults who need a break from work, as it can reduce stress and anxiety.
Pros
- Suitable for the age range of eight years and up
- Innovative and modern design
- Promotes three-dimensional thinking
- Challenge book included
- Available in two colors
Cons
- Some may not like the rattling noise
"It works perfectly to keep my hands busy and prevent me from biting my nails. It's quite engaging, and I like its solid build, making it a durable companion during long, pressure-filled hours."
12. Best Portable: Suncoo 12 Pieces Infinity Cubes Fidget Toy
Made of ABS material, these fidget toys are suitable for children, teens, and adults. They help reduce anxiety levels and stress. The package includes 12 infinity cubes in four different macaron colors. Each infinity fidget cube includes eight small cubes that are interconnected and easy to transform into different shapes and models. These sensory cubes are suitable for those with ADHD/ADD, OCD, and autism.
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Suitable for one-handed operation
- Easy wipe and clean
- Rounded corners
- Silky-smooth surface
- Portable storage bag
Cons
- Links may look flimsy
- May be slightly noisy
"These little infinity cubes were a hit at my daughter�s birthday party! I bought them to add to the party bag because they seemed appealing and practical, and the kids enjoyed playing with them. Even the parents couldn�t keep their hands off of these."
13. Best Eco-Friendly: Totti All New Pop Fidget Toy
Image: Totti Here’s a pop fidget sensory toy that doubles as a fun game for children. The soft decompression bubbles are satisfying and relieve anxiety and stress, making them suitable for individuals with autism, social anxiety, and ADHD. The vibrant colors make it engaging for children and everyone. Popping the bubbles can give you a similar feeling to popping the bubble wrap. The bubbles are soft to the touch and squishy yet durable and resistant to wear and tear.
Pros
- Made of food-grade silicone material
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to carry
- Available in different colors and shapes
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Some may find the popping sound quiet
"Its colorful design captivated my child, who loves playing with it! The frame is quite sturdy, and the single silicone sheet is safe for her to play with."
How To Choose The Right Fidget Toys?
Check out the following crucial factors to choose the best fidget toys easily.
- Design: Fidget toys are available in multiple shapes and sizes to keep you engaged and calm. From toys with various elements and textures to small puzzles, you can choose the one that best suits your cognitive requirements.
- User-friendly: Ensure the fidget toy is user-friendly and easy to operate. They should be suitable for one-handed operation and should be simple enough to keep you distracted while you fidget. Check the age range recommended by the manufacturer, if the toy is meant for a child.
- Safety: Check if these fidget toys contain any removable or fragile small parts that can break and cause a choking hazard. Ensure they are made of skin-friendly and high-quality materials. They should be free of sharp edges and harmful chemicals to ensure optima safety.
- Portability: Consider the toy’s size to determine if it is portable. Portability is an essential requirement, so you can carry these toys to schools, colleges, workplaces, and professional settings.
- Construction: Most fidget toys are made of hard ABS plastic and safe metal that keep them unbreakable. They should be durably built for long-lasting use, and the joints and hinges should be sturdy and smooth for easy maneuvering.
- Efficiency: As these toys are designed to promote cognitive skill development and assist those with ADHD, OCD, autism, and anxiety, they need to be efficient too. It is best to choose fidgets toys with multi-directional handling and color complexity for a more involved playing.
- Customization: The fidget toy should meet your specific needs to help to stay focused. It should either help you with stretching, rolling, building, popping, or something else
- Maintenance requirements: Think of its maintenance when deciding to buy one. It should either require wiping, soap cleaning, or anything else.
- Noise production: Some fidget toys produce noise while others do not. Check this feature in the toy before you decide to buy one.
- Strength and durability: Look for the strength and durability of the toy as it might disappoint you if it is too fragile or weak.
- Flexible hinges and joints: If the fidget you are buying has features such as bends, or joints, check for its good flexibility. The hinges should support an easy movement to prevent hand pains.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are fidget toys good?
Fidget toys often act as sensory devices to keep distractions at bay while performing specific tasks, especially among children, students, and the elderly (1).
2. Are fidget toys good for children?
Fidget toys can help most children while performing low-demanding academic tasks. They are also helpful in improving the classroom responses of children with ADHD to a certain extent (2). Fidgets with flashy lights and whizzing sounds could dilute their anti-distraction abilities.
3. Are fidget toys allowed in school?
Most schools may allow using fidget toys in the classroom if prior permission is obtained.
Fidget toys promote focused redirection among children and adults who tend to fidget a lot. Compact enough to fit in your hand, these toys are designed to be soothing and put the user in a relaxed mindset. If you’ve been looking for some of the best fidget toys but aren’t sure what to choose, consider buying one that offers safety, customization, easy maintenance, flexibility in hinges and joints, durability, etc. Pick the ones that will serve as a new avenue of engagement for you or your child.
Infographic: Various Categories Of Fidget Toys For Stress Relief
Fidget toys have gained popularity as effective tools for stress relief, providing a tactile experience that helps to calm the mind and improve focus. Understanding the different categories of fidget toys can help you select the right stress-busting devices based on your convenience. Explore the following infographic to learn about these variants, enabling you to make an informed choice.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- The Effects Of Fidgets On Attention And Learning Of College Students
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1669&context=dissertations - Using Fidget Spinners To Improve On-Task Classroom Behavior For Students With Adhd:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9120292/ - Parade: Fidget toys can be coping tools for depression and anxiety in adults
https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2022/05/parade–fidget-toys-as-coping-tools.html - How “Fidget Toys” Are Helping Kids With ADHD
https://www.pacer.org/cmh/learning-center/parenting/support-adhd/fidget-toys.asp
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Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is an experienced and trusted writer and reviewer passionate about children’s toys and gifts. Choosing the best fidget toys can be challenging, given the many options in the market. Here, Priti recommends some of the best-selling and consumer-tested options after scouring several e-commerce websites and analyzing the reviews and specifications of various products. Moreover, she has specifically chosen those products that are durable, safe, and effective.
