Maybe you’ve heard some buzz about these useful sensory tools, but if you’re wondering…”What are fidget toys?” This post is for you!
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What Are Fidget Toys?
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of “fidget” is “to make a lot of small movements because you are nervous, bored, etc. : to move or act in a nervous or restless way.”
Think about all of the ways you calm your body and focus without even thinking about it! You may tap your fingers or a pencil on the table. You might bounce your legs while you sit or rock slightly in your chair.
A fidget toy is an object that can be provided to a child to regulate his need for movement and touch. This enhances his ability to remain calm, focused, and attentive. Fidget toys provide a place for kids to direct their energy in a less distracting and more socially appropriate way while they focus on the task at hand (e.g. listening to a lesson in the classroom, paying attention to a book during circle time).
A fidget toy helps a child filter out all of the excess sensory information in his surroundings and within his own body that might be distracting him, pointing all of his energy and focus right to the toy in his hands.
Our Favorite Fidget Toy Resources
20 Awesome DIY Fidget Toys
These DIY fidget toys are an awesome and simple way to support kids’ sensory needs in the classroom without breaking the bank!
How to Introduce Fidget Toys in the Classroom
Ever wonder how to introduce fidget toys in the classroom setting? We’ve got you covered with tons of useful information and a free printable!
Strength Building DIY Fidget Toy
As they’re creating this diy fidget, kids will get the benefit of building hand strength and coordination.
Balloon DIY Fidget Toys
DIY fidget toys are a great way to support calm, focused behavior in kids. These fun DIY balloon fidgets are the perfect place to start!
How to Make DIY Pencil Fidgets
Check out this super simple idea for how to make your own pencil fidgets! You may already have the materials in your desk or storage cabinet!
10 Simple or DIY Fidget Toys
Here are my top ten favorite simple or DIY fidget toys! Make a bunch and rotate them to keep your child’s interest.
1. Flour filled balloons or unfilled balloons to stretch and pull
2. Wikki Stix
3. Rubber band(s) or hair bands
4. Nuts and bolts to screw/unscrew
5. Silly putty
6. Stress ball (textured or smooth)
7. Loop velcro strip adhered to the top of a desk or underneath the desk to touch
8. Stretchy frogs or worms
9. 2-3 legos to pull apart or put together
10. Smooth stone or large marble to turn in his hands
4 Great Fidget Toys for Kids
1 || Pencil Fidgets
2 || Water Snakes
3 || Squigglets
4 || Fidgeting Finger Springs
Keep your child’s fidget toys nearby for easy use by attaching one to a lanyard around his neck or on a retractable keychain hooked to his belt loop! Even a zipper pouch around his waist will work to store his fidget stash securely!
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I love this post! I’ve just started giving both of my girls fidget toys when we read aloud together to help them keep their hands out of their mouths! I got them ‘Tangle’s but I like some of these ideas, too!
Hi Ellen! Thanks for your comment! Fidgets while reading is EXACTLY what we are talking about:) Love it! We are so glad you found the information useful! Stop back!
We’ve just started using fidget toys doing reading time (to help stop nail-biting!) and I’m surprised at how successful it’s been. I wish my daughter’s class would let kids use them during school!
Amazing post. Fidget toys are becoming more and more useful. Love it!
Thanks for the blog post.