How Fidget Toys Can Help With Emotional Regulation

The concept of using toys as tools to help with concentration and emotional regulation dates back centuries. During the Ming Dynasty, traditional Chinese medicine often encouraged the use of small, round, handheld pieces of iron to relax the muscles in the hand and improve, motor skills, muscle strength, and dexterity. Known as Baoding balls, these early fidget toys provided similar benefits as the squishy stress balls we have come to be familiar with today.

Fidget toys of all shapes and sizes have existed across generations and cultures, but the term “fidget toy” rose to popularity only a few years ago. These simple and stimulating toys help people of all ages calm their nerves and engage their senses. Fidgeting, squirming, and feeling a general sense of unrest is common when we start to feel anxious or bored. Toys designed to aid in these behaviors serve as safe healthy alternatives to nail biting, skin picking, teeth grinding, and other nervous habits.

More than just a way to release tension, fidget toys are fun! There are so many different types of fidget toys on the market today, in every color, texture, shape, and size. Different fidget toys target different sensory needs and can help build a variety of important developmental skills.

Fidget Spinners

When working on a task that requires focus, a fidget spinner can help keep hands busy and offers an outlet for excess energy, nerves, and wiggles. Usually small enough to fit in your pocket, fidget spinners are great for when you’re on the go.

Loopy Looper Flow This super spinning fidget toy is so much fun, it’s hypnotizing! Whether you want your marble to go dizzyingly fast or slow to snail-like speeds, you’re totally in control. Make your friends’ heads spin with every turn and get into the Flow! Ages 8+

Fidget Poppers

Fidget poppers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. A reusable alternative to bubble wrap, these fidget toys keep hands busy, work to calm anxiety and nerves, and can improve focus and concentration.

	Dimpl Pop The popping never stops! Built into the strong, high-quality plastic frame are 18 Dimpl bubbles in two different sizes just waiting to be pushed, poked, and popped again and again. Ages 3+
	Simpl Dimpl Keyring Endless bubble wrap in a keychain. The original has a white frame; the colorful version has a multicolored frame. You will receive a random color. Ages 3+

Fidget Puzzles

Fidget puzzle toys offer a satisfying experience with an additional problem-solving component. Generally small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack, these fidget toys improve fine motor skills and are a great way to calm your mind from overwhelming or frustrating situations.

	TurnStyle This elegant brainteaser offers a classy and classic challenge! Arrange all 12 numbers in order by sliding them around the dial and using the turnstiles to swivel them into place. Perfect for the discerning puzzler on the go or for those looking for a unique fidget! Ages 8+
	Perplexus Epic Can you make it through a labyrinth of over 125 barriers? Flip, twist, and spin Perplexus to move the ball along the numbered path. When you fall off the track (Yes, it will happen!) head back to the start and try again. Ages 5+
	QBoid Get your hands on this uniquely shaped twisty puzzle! Mix up the Qboid and then twist, flip, and rotate the parts to match up the colors. A wonderful introduction to the world of twisty puzzles, the QBoid is the perfect pocket-sized challenge! Ages 8+

Fidget Balls

Squeezable, squish-able stress balls are a wonderful tool for emotional regulation and the development of muscles in the fingers and hands. Available in a variety of textures, colors, shapes, and sizes, stress balls and other types of fidget balls are great for kids and adults alike.

	Sensory Genius Stress Balls Sensory Genius Stress Balls help busy hands to be productively active so the mind can focus. A gentle texture and squishy composition make these colorful balls hard to ignore. Three different levels of resistance provide the right amount of stress relief or hand strengthening exercise. Soothe anxiety, increase blood flow to fingers and hands and build strength. Ages 5+
	Globbles Globbles come in 6 vibrant colors and are perfect for sticking, stacking, squishing, slinging, and more. Use them as stress balls! These super sticky squeezable fidget toys never leave a sticky residue behind, and remain sticky even after being washed. Ages 4+
	Icosa: The Atomic Fidget Ball Twist and turn your way to a multitude of patterns with this amazing fidget toy. Can you arrange the atoms so that each color is in a group or that the same colors never touch? Whether you figure it out or just fidget with it, the hardest part of Icosa is putting it down! Ages 8+

Fidget toys are incredible multi-sensory teaching AND learning tools. Browse our full selection of fidget toys here, and find out for yourself just how relaxing and anxiety-relieving these toys can be!