Beyond the Fidget Spinner — 7 DIFFERENT fidget gadgets for students

Finally, for all the fidgeters out there — Fidgeting is cool.

I couldn’t believe how FAST the fidget spinner craze took hold in my classroom. And, I also couldn’t believe how popular fidget spinners were with BOTH my high school students and also my elementary-aged cousins. I had students bringing in fancy fidget spinners they bought online and fidget spinners that they somehow manufactured in shop class.

The fidget spinner craze opened my eyes to a world of fidget gadgets that I didn’t know existed. I have had some students bring stress relieving toys to my room to squish or squeeze, but the fidgeting items were completely a new realm I hadn’t even considered.

I would like to embrace the fidget movement, bringing a variety of fidgeting gadgets into my classroom for students to use. No longer are fidgeters relegated to pencil tapping, leg shaking, or plastic water bottle crunching — these toys will allow fidgeters (myself included) to embrace their fidgeting proclivities and have a fashionable gadget to go with them.

1. Fidget Cube

This fidget cube is great because it has so many different options to fidget with — all on a small cube. You can fidget with a switch, lock dials, spinners, buttons, and other shapes to run your fingers over.

Pros

• Different types of fidget options
• Different surface to feel

Con

• The light switch makes a small clicking noise

2. Flippy Fidget Chain

This simple, durable flippy fidget chain design makes it a great choice for fidgeters. You can flip and move the chain, all while keeping it quiet. The flippy fidget chain comes in different color options, too, allowing for additional personalization.

Pros

• Different color band options
• Quiet

Cons

• Less functions than the cube

3. Tangle Fidget Toy

This tangle fidget toy satisfies both fidgeting and creativity, setting it apart from the rest of the fidget gadgets. You can mold this toy into different shapes, keeping your hands and mind occupied. The toys can pull apart and combine with each other as well.

Pro

• Bright colors
• Allows creativity

Cons

• Creativity aspect may distract

4. 12-Sided Fidget Cube

This fidget cube has 12 sides, providing the ultimate choice in figdeting options. From a switch, to a rope, to a joy stick, to video game style buttons (among 8 other options), your fidgeting needs should definitely be met with this dice.

This 12-sided fidget cube also comes in several color options, which can make your fidget dice stand out even more.

Pros

• 12 sided = 12 fidgeting options
• Different colors

Cons

• Clicking noise on some features

5. Moon Drop Fidget Toys

This moon drop fidget toy allows users to see and feel the rate of the moon’s and Mars’ gravity. Moon drop’s anti-gravity slider falls at the same rate an object would drop on the moon or on Mars (depending on the slider’s color).

Pro

• Unique
• Science connection

Con

• Limited fidgeting options

6. Fidget Textured Pens

Combining fidgeting with a classroom necessity (a writing utensil), these fidget textured pens are a great option for fidgeters. What makes these pens stand out are their unique shapes and textures, definitely allowing the writer to stand out and show his/her personality!

Because these fidgeting toys are combined with a pen, they might fly under the radar a bit more — letting your student fidget even during times certain fidget toys (like spinners) are banned.

Pro

• Dual use — combines a pen and a fidgeting toy
•  Colorful and unique

Con

• Less fidgeting options than dice or cube

7. Mesh Fidget Toy (8 pack)

This seemingly simple mesh fidget toy consists of a marble inside a tube of woven mesh fabric. You can move the marble up and down inside the mesh, which will keep your fingers busy during school, meetings, etc. This fidget toy is bendable and squishable, and its simple design is strangely satisfying.

Pro

• Easy to wash
• Quiet

Con

• The marble can pop out of the mesh

These 7 fidgeting toy options are a great place to start as you stock your classroom, your office, or your student’s backpack with fidgeting toys. With the popularity of these fidgeting devices growing, you can expect more to be developed — fidgeters UNITE!