Fidgets are small toys or items that can be used to provide sensory input in order to reduce distraction or anxiety. They help improve concentration or attention by allowing the brain to filter out the extra sensory information through the physical manipulation of the fidget toy.
Fidgets can be an invaluable tool for many students who have difficulty with sensory processing, attention and distraction, anxiety, etc.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great fidget items to help students calm anxiety or occupy their hands so they can focus. I have only highlighted 25 here but there are hundreds of options out there. The items listed below are linked to either a blog post or article that provides more information, or an affiliate link to the item.
1. Sand timers - simple, inexpensive, yet calming and quiet.
2. Sensory bottles - calming, easy to make at home, endless possibilities
My friend Jamie at Play to Learn Preschool is a master at creating these bottles. Find out how HERE.
3. Koosh Balls - lightweight, soft, textured. And if they do happen to fly, they probably won't hurt ;)
4. Play dough - a classic and you can make it right in your own kitchen!
Another link to Play to Learn Preschool for a great recipe.
5. Tangles - they twist and turn all sorts of ways and they are QUIET!
6. Fidget Cubes - Some of them make clicking noises, but they are small and inconspicuous.
7. Stress Balloons - filled with flour, these are incredibly cheap to make at home and hold up really well. Here's a TUTORIAL.
8. Pencil Top Fidgets - small, quiet, always available
9. Silly Putty - Another inexpensive classic!
19. Worry Stones - Hard, smooth stones to turn over in your hands
20. Twiddle Cat - This one is a bit pricey, but oh my gosh, this is amazing!
10. Stretchy Coil Keyring - These are available just about everywhere and super cheap.
11. Sensory Ball - A different sensory experience than the koosh ball
12. Spinning Ring - this would be a discreet fidget for older kids
13. Bendeez - Flexible, twisty, soft, and quiet
14. Plastic Chain - articulated, plastic chain, lightweight, quiet
15. Nuts and Bolts - The plastic ones are probably quieter, but I love the texture of the wooded toys
16. Wooden Cube Puzzle - small, quiet, articulated wooden blocks
17. Beanbags - another great fidget to make at home for next to nothing.
18. Monkey Fidgetz - a marble inside a tube of plastic mesh
19. Worry Stones - Hard, smooth stones to turn over in your hands
20. Twiddle Cat - This one is a bit pricey, but oh my gosh, this is amazing!
21. Zipper Bracelet - this one might make a little noise, but what a great idea!
22. Slinky - Even the plastic ones are a bit noisy, but they are small and inexpensive.
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