When fidget spinners became a hot new trend a few years ago, some teachers hated them. However, others embraced the fad and understood that the best fidget toys actually help many children focus on their schoolwork. The key is to find quiet devices that don’t distract other students. This round-up of the best fidget toys is classroom-friendly and quiet, but useful for students of all ages. Don’t be surprised if you end up using one of these clever gadgets yourself!
Need to save some money? Try these inexpensive DIY fidgets you can make yourself!
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a portion of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Fidget spinner
Here’s the original that started the trend: a fidget spinner! They’re still popular, and the holographic rainbow finish on this one makes it one of the coolest we’ve seen.
Buy: MAGTIMES Rainbow Fidget Spinner at Amazon
2. Mini spinner
Want enough spinner fidget toys for the whole class? Try this bulk pack of smaller spinners made from lightweight but strong plastic.
Buy it: Super Z Outlet Mini Fidget Spinners 24-Pack at Amazon
3. fidget band
Some children have more trouble keeping their feet still than their hands. This is where fidget bands come in handy. Attach to chair or desk legs and kids can quietly kick and rock while they work.
Buy it: Fidget Chair Bands, Set of 3 at Amazon
4. Bubble Pop Fidgets
Bubble wrap was a fidget toy long before these toys became a must-have! Check out ways to use these pop fidgets in the classroom. We love these toys that keep anxious fingers popping.
Buy it: AYGXU Fidget Toys 8-Pack at Amazon
5. Marble fidgets
The concept is so simple: it’s just a tube of mesh with a marble inside. But there’s something very comforting about shuffling it around while you work.
Buy it: AUSTOR 20 Piece Marble Fidget Toy at Amazon
6. Marble Maze
Here is another version of a marble fidget toy. Move the marble back and forth through the simple maze. You can find patterns online to sew these yourself or buy them from the link.
Buy: SensiPalStore on Etsy
7. Infinity Cube
This is one of the top rated fidget items on Amazon. The Infinity Cube never stops moving and you can rotate it from any angle. If this sturdy version is a bit pricey for your budget, try a plastic model instead.
Buy: JOEYANK Infinity Cube Fidget at Amazon
8. Rainbow Fidget Ball
This clever little fidget is also a puzzle! Push the small colorful balls into the center of the larger ball and then try to put them back in the right places.
Buy: CuberSpeed Rainbow Magic Ball at Amazon
9. Fidget Slug
Yes, you read that right: snails! These cute little guys have 3D printed flexible bodies that you can squirm and adjust to ease anxiety.
Buy: CleverContraptions on Etsy
10. Fidget Cube
Fidget Cubes are great because they give you a lot of different options. This one has many 5 star reviews and comes with its own case.
Buy: PILPOC theFube Fidget Cube on Amazon
11. Fidget Dodecahedron
If 6 sides are good, 12 must be twice as good! Expand the fidget cube fun with this dodecahedron version.
Buy: DoDoMagxanadu Fidget Dodecahedron at Amazon
12. Tangle toy
These might not seem all that intriguing at first, but they’re surprisingly fun to play around with. Reviewers love them for kids and adults, too.
Buy: Tangle Jr. Original Fidget Toys, Set of 3 at Amazon
13. Mini Hoberman Bullets
Hoberman balls are fun to play around with, but they’re also great for mindful breathing exercises. They make a great addition to your calming kit or classroom corner.
Buy it: 4E’s Novelty Expandable Breathing Ball Spheres, 4-Pack at Amazon
14. Fidget Bracelet
This pretty bracelet doubles as a fidgeting aid. It’s a smart choice for older children and adults who feel like they’ve passed the “toy” stage.
Buy: DiPrana on Etsy
15. Monkey Noodles
Pull, stretch, wrap, twist… whatever helps you focus! These toys have thousands upon thousands of 5 star reviews.
Buy: Monkey Noodle 5-Pack at Amazon
16. Stretchy Fidgety Men
feeling stressed? Take it out on this stretchy little guy. You can get enough for an entire class for pennies apiece.
Buy it: Stretchy Happy Man Fidget Toys at Amazon
17. Fidget Snake
This style of toy has been around for years and is endless fun to play with. Twist them into different shapes and see what you can make!
Learn more: Ganowo Sensory Fidget Snakes, Set of 3 at Amazon
18. Squish panel
Water pearls have a fun squishy texture, but they can wreak real havoc. This sealed bag keeps this classroom fidget toy safe no matter where you go.
Buy: SensiPalStore on Etsy
19. Kneadable erasers
Kneadable erasers were originally intended for artists to create useful shapes for erasing small lines. They have also become popular fidget toys. These are food scented, which is a plus for most people, but unscented versions are also available.
Buy it: Raymond Geddes Mash Ups Scented Kneaded Erasers Pack of 24 at Amazon
20. Balls for stress relief
Work off your restlessness by squeezing these squishy emoji balls! This assortment is great fun and enough for your whole class.
Buy it: LovesTown Face Stress Balls, Set of 24 at Amazon
21. Roller chain
Rotate the disks or move the sections to form different shapes. These fidget devices are small enough to fit in a pocket.
Buy it: Flippy Roller Chains Fidget Toy 2-Pack at Amazon
22. Whatz It Fidget
According to Amazon reviews, there’s something irresistible about this colorful wooden toy. Kids and adults love twisting and turning it into interesting shapes.
Buy: Whatz It Fidget Toy on Amazon
23. Original Fidget Retro
This cute little device is full of buttons and rollers and looks like a retro game controller. One caveat: some of the buttons make a clicking noise, so this might not be the best choice for quiet classrooms.
Buy: WTYCD The Original Fidget Retro on Amazon
24. Thinking putty
Pull, stretch, shape and watch the mesmerizing colors change under the light. Thinking Putty is a bit like Silly Putty – it never dries out and pretty much lasts forever.
Buy: Crazy Aaron’s Super Illusions Thinking Putty, 4 Mini Tins at Amazon
25. Chain fidget toy
For older kids who prefer a more discreet toy, this little device is less than 2 inches long. It twists, turns and rolls and slides into your pocket when not in use.
Buy it: Vanblue Bike Chain Fidget Toys 5-Pack at Amazon
26. Effacera pop fidget spinner toy
Get the best of both worlds with this combination of pop-its and fidget spinners! The colorful tie-dye patterns make them all the funnier.
Buy: Effacera Pop Fidget Spinner Toys at Amazon
27. Speks Geode Magnetic Fidget Sphere
This is another great option for older kids who want to let their creativity run free while creating shapes with these magnetic blocks. Reviewers describe it as a “premium fidget toy.”
Buy: Speks Geode Magnetic Fidget Sphere at Amazon
28. Shashibo Shapeshifting Box
With a beautiful design that bends and folds into various geometric shapes, this fidget toy is as fun to look at as it is to play with!
Buy: Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box on Amazon
29. Glow Magic Ball Rainbow Cube Puzzle
One teacher in the reviews of these puzzle balls says they like using the fidgets as ringer bells at the beginning of class, and students love to compete with them in speed contests.
Buy it: Glow Magic Ball Rainbow Cube Puzzle at Amazon
30. Magnetic fidget pin
As a pen, stylus, and building toy, this one-of-a-kind fidget gadget has several unique functions to keep students focused.
Buy: Magnetic Fidget Pen on Amazon
31. Transformable Chain Robot Spinners
Configuring and reconfiguring these robot fidget toys not only can help kids relax, but also let you play with transforming robots. Who can resist these fidget toys in the classroom?
Buy it: Transformable Chain Robot Spinners at Amazon
32. Fidget Cube
This simple, stress-relieving fidget toy has six sides, each with different functions, including clicking, sliding, twisting, breathing, rolling, and twisting.
Buy: Fidget Cube on Amazon
33. Orbit Ball Toy
Place the ball in the slide and then watch it roll back and forth. The orbit ball can be rotated to change the race track to make it more fun.
Buy it: Orbit Ball Toy on Amazon
34. Magnetic fidget rings
Learn tricks with these fidget magnets that let you twist, twist and turn the rings around your fingers. They can also improve motor skills and dexterity.
Buy: Magnetic Fidget Rings at Amazon
35. Star Puzzle
This cool 3D star-shaped puzzle is one of the best fidget toys for the classroom. Not only is it colorful and fun, but it also makes a satisfying popping sound!
Buy: Star Puzzle at Amazon
36. Textured dumb stretchy strings
Each string has a unique texture and tension, including the super stretchy rope, car wash fringes, totem pole, bumpy rock face, ribbed ridges, and hard-to-stretch snakeskin.
Buy it: Structured Silly Stretchy Strings at Amazon
37. Ice Cream Puzzle Pop
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Well… this particular Ice Cream Puzzle Pop was supposed to do the opposite. What a cool way to relax.
Buy: Ice Cream Puzzle Pop on Amazon
38. Spinning Wands
Pressing the button creates a mesmerizing display of swirling LEDs and an eye-catching spectacle of color.
Buy: Spinning Wands on Amazon
39. Fidget Toy Bundle Pack
Grab a little of everything with this 40 piece bundle of fidget toys including chain fidgets, marble mazes, block games and more.
Buy: Fidget Toy Bundle Pack at Amazon
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