Top 6 Fidget Toys to Help Your Teen with Focus and Anxiety

We begin experiencing stress from an early age, with more children feeling increasing levels of stress in their daily lives.

Exams, homework, and peer pressure, are all contributing factors to increased stress levels. Managing stress can be challenging and overwhelming for some. Fortunately, there are many ways to help manage stress.

One of the simplest ways to help your child cope with stress is with fidget toys.

The Top 6 Fidget Toys for Children

1. Rubik’s Cube

The Rubik’s Cube is a classic 3D puzzle where you use your fingers to rotate the sides to get all 6 faces of the cube to be one solid colour.

This may sound easy, but it requires a lot of brain power to get all the colours to match. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, you find a rogue red square amongst the blue!

Concentration and focus is key in finding the right patterns to solve the puzzle, giving your brain a good workout.

Since its release, there have been many evolution’s of the cube including ones with more squares, one with lights and one that is heat sensitive with colours appearing when touched before fading away again. Just when you think the cube couldn’t be more difficult!

This brain teaser combines problem solving whilst keeping your fingers busy. It tests your concentration, requiring you to think several steps ahead to avoid messing up pieces you’ve already matched, making it the ideal fidget toy for those who struggle with focus.

2. Tech Deck

Tech Decks are mini fingerboards that fit into the palm of your hand. These little skateboards are smaller versions of real full-sized skateboards and feature graphics from iconic skating brands.

These fingerboards use a similar mechanic to the fidget spinner, where you use your fingers to manipulate the board. Push the board around whilst performing flips and spins in a technique known as fingerboarding.

Moving the placement of your hand and altering the weight distribution allows you to rotate and even lift the board into the air.

Tech Deck’s are the perfect fidget toy for those who want something a little bit different. There are several ways you can use them making them great for a variety of fidgeters.

3. Yo-Yo’s

Yo-Yo’s are a classic toy dating all the way back to ancient times and may be the world’s first fidget toy. It is made up of an axle, two disks and a piece of string. Simplicity at its finest.

To play, you put your finger through the loop of string and throw the Yo-Yo downwards to unravel it. When the string is completely unravelled, it winds itself back up and returns to the hand ready to be thrown again. The combination of gravity and kinetic energy keeps the Yo-Yo coming back once released.

More modern Yo-Yo’s allow you to tailor them to your own individual style. You can replace the string, change the casings, and swap the bearings to alter the speed and amount of friction, making tricks easier and smoother to perform. Some even come fitted with LED lights so you can Yo-Yo in the dark.

There are hundreds of tricks to learn and master. Flick your wrists to perform ‘sleeper’ tricks including ‘walk the dog’ where the Yo-Yo hovers and spins before returning back to the hand.

The more complex the trick, the more your mind must concentrate and the busier your hands become. Some tricks even require both hands to pull off.

4. Slime

Slime is ooey, gooey and of course, slimy!

The gloopy consistency is somewhere between a solid and a liquid, making it great for those who enjoy a more messy, sensory experience.

Dip your hand in the slime and move it between your fingers. You can poke, prod, squeeze, stretch and squish.

Slime is often cold to the touch adding an additional sensory layer. Slime comes in pre-made pots for on-the-go fun or slime making kits allow you to make some yourself, combining fidgeting with science.

Due to its malleable texture, Slime is one of the messier fidget toys but that’s what makes it so satisfying and fun! Plus, it promotes fine motor skills development and concentration.

5. Squishies

Squishies are the perfect blend of fidget and comfort. They don’t require any brain work and instead alleviate feelings of anxiety simply by being held and, as the name suggest – squished!

Soft toys like Squishmallows and Ty Squishy Beanies are perfect for when you need something to squeeze and cuddle at the same time.

These ultra-squeezable soft toys are both adorable and provide a sense of comfort when feeling stressed or nervous. Who doesn’t feel better after a nice hug?

They come in a variety of characters and sizes. The smaller sizes make for the perfect on-the-go companions, and the larger scale ones are ideal for providing comfort whilst at home or at bedtime.

6. Kinetic Sand

Kinetic Sand is perfect for those at-home fidgeters who also love to be creative. 

This unique sand sticks to itself without the need for water meaning less mess and more fun. 

The sand can be squeezed, squished and moulded to make any shape and comes in a variety of bright colours, with some even being scented. 

Kinetic Sand’s soft but grainy texture is the perfect tactile experience for those who have restless hands, plus the ability to mould the sand into any shape you want helps engage the brain too. 

The act of moulding and then cutting into your creations helps slow the brain down to become hyper-focused on the task at hand making it a great solution for those who struggle with concentration or are easily distracted. 

Meticulously build up the sand layer by layer before slowing cutting into it with the included tools. Peel away, press down and slice the layers to reveal the colours within. As you do so, listen to the ASMR sounds as you crush and squish, making it even more soothing. Aaaaah what a wonderful noise. 

To Fidget or Not to Fidget? 

There are many different fidget toys out there that cater to everyone’s needs. 

They help provide an outlet for those with fidgety tendencies, provide comfort and help increase focus when we need a little help. Plus they’re fun! So, have a play and see which one works best for your little one and have something to hand for when you or your child next need that fidgety fix. Read some of the frequently asked questions around fidget toys below: 

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