10 Best Fidget Toys To Help Kids Focus

Jade Scott
Dec 22, 2023 By Jade Scott
Originally Published on Jul 05, 2021
Fidget Toy spinning in hand.
Age: 3-12
Read time: 8.7 Min

Fidget toys are physical, sensory items which can be held and manipulated that both children and adults can use to help with focus, concentration, anxiety, stress and active listening.

They come in all different shapes, different sizes and different textures and are often referred to by given names such as stress balls, tangles, chewies, squigglets, and fidget spinners. Fiddle toys for kids such as these can be great for children with conditions including autism, ADHD and anxiety as they help filter out extra sensory information from their surroundings, allowing them to feel calmer and more settled so that they can concentrate on a given task or situation.

If you think that fidgeting toys might be beneficial for your child or they already use them but you are looking for a new fidget toy then our pick of the best kid fidget toys is sure to help. We have included a range of different fidgets that come highly recommended from cool fidget spinners to tactile stress balls.

For more sensory toys for kids, take a look at these round ups of the best bubble machines and the best kids' water tables that kids will love.

Kidadl's Top Pick

We have chosen this set to take our top spot in this list of the best fidget toys as it includes a range of different fidgets which we think is great if your child hasn't used them before and you want them to be able to experiment with which ones work best for them. It is also a great kit for if you know these toys are helpful and you just want to make sure that there is always one to hand as the toys included in the set offer great variety, great value and are ideal for keeping hands busy but minds focused.

1. Fidget Toy Set‍

Fidget Toy Set

If you aren't sure where to get good fidget toys, Amazon has a great range of highly reviewed options available with this fidget toy set being just one. It is targeted at individuals with ADHD, ADD, autism, OCD and high anxiety and includes two mesh squeeze balls, two flippy chains, two soybean pod squeezers and three large stretch strings. The balls are designed to be squeezed and released by hand with a focus on the softness and tension. The flippy chains are small, so are perfect for keeping in a pocket or bag and are designed to be rolled and twisted. The soybean pods are incredibly cute and come on a chain so can be attached to keys or a wallet so they are accessible anytime. On squeezing the pod, the soybeans pop out the top and then retract back in once grip is released. The strings are fun to play with, are super soft and can be stretched and twisted to a huge 98 inches in length.

Main Features

  • Price: £15.95
  • Age: 3+
  • Made from non-toxic and durable materials
  • 9 different items included in the set
  • Easy to take and play with anywhere

Best For Families On A Budget

2. The Original Mokuru Kirin Game‍

The Original Mokuru Kirin Game

A simple yet stimulating toy, the Mokuru was designed after an artist saw how frequently students twirled the lid of their pen whilst in class. The great thing about it is that the way it is played with can be constantly changed. As a fidget stick, it can be rolled along a table, balanced on the hand, flipped through the fingers and tumbled across a surface, amongst other things. It can be used by an individual or can even be played with by multiple people at the same time to create a fun and engaging game. It is only nine centimetres tall, which makes it easy to transport and means a child could have it with them at home, school and elsewhere.

Main Features

  • Price: £5.13
  • Age: 3+
  • Crafted with beech wood
  • Designed to test creativity and dexterity
  • Dimensions are 2.5 x 2.5 x 9 cm

Best For Squidgy Toys

3. Fansteck Stress Ball 4 Pack‍

Fansteck Stress Ball 4 Pack

These fun and colourful balls could make great stress toys for kids as they can be squashed and squeezed as a way of distracting them and helping them change their focus. Each squishy ball is designed differently and there is one coloured spiky ball, one transparent spiky ball with coloured spheres inside, one smooth transparent ball with coloured spheres inside and one smooth transparent ball with coloured LEDs inside. This makes them great for if your child enjoys different sensations and stimuli or for if you want to make sure they have one to hand no matter where they are.

Main Features

  • Price: £14.99
  • Age: 6+
  • Includes 4 styles of ball
  • 100% non-toxic
  • Flexible and elastic

Best For Giant Fidget Toys

4. Grafix Giant Bouncing Ball‍

Grafix Giant Bouncing Ball

This giant giggly fidget ball is ideal for smaller children who need something larger to hold onto or for a toy that can involve the use of the whole body rather than just the hands. It has a handle at the top so that it can be thrown and swung, but can also be squashed, squeezed and held as the smaller versions can. The exterior surface provides an interesting texture for children to touch and if they want to, they can even use with others to play games such as catch.

Main Features

  • Price: £6.38
  • Age: 3+
  • Various colours available
  • 7 inches in diameter
  • BPA free

Best For Using One Handed

5. Fidget Spinner Hand Tri Finger Gyro Toy

Fidget Spinner Hand Tri Finger Gyro Toy

If you are searching for the best fidget spinner then this one could be a worthy contender. Not only is it really eye catching due to its metallic rainbow finish but it has also been made through precision CNC milling to ensure it functions smoothly and quietly which is great if its intended use is in a classroom or environment where noise could affect other people. It has stainless steel bearings which make the spinning mechanism durable and enables it to spin for up to six minutes.

Main Features

  • Price: £5.99
  • Age: 3+
  • Stainless steel bearings
  • Anti-rust technology
  • 4 to 6 minute spin

Best For Multipacks

6. Henbrandt 12 Mini Finger Spinners‍

Henbrandt 12 Mini Finger Spinners

With this pack of twelve toys, your child will be able to have a mini fidget spinner to hand wherever they go.  They are smaller than the standard fidget spinners available on the market but this makes them more discreet and easy to keep in a pocket or bag for when one is needed. They are simple to use and with a bit of practice can even be used one-handed. The idea is that the centre is held between two fingers whilst another finger spins the spokes. They can also be placed on a smooth surface such as a desk in order to spin them around. Due to the colours and mechanism, they are said to be very absorbing which is ideal if you are looking for something to help calm your child down when they feel a little overwhelmed.  

Main Features

  • Price: £4.09
  • Age: 3+
  • Includes 12 small spinners
  • Assorted colours
  • Plastic body

Best For Tangle Toys

7. Tangle Jr Classic‍

Tangle Jr Classic

Seen by many as the original fidget toy, the tangle fidget toy has been on the market for over 40 years and was designed to help stimulate creativity. It is great for anyone who likes to have something to fiddle with and is one of the most highly recommended education and therapy toys available. It is suitable for a wide range of special needs children including those with ADHD, autism, Asperger's and other additional sensory struggles and can be used just to simply twirl around but can also be manipulated into different structures and patterns.

Main Features

  • Price: £3.99
  • Age: 3+
  • Made from 18 curved, jointed sections
  • 5cm when coiled and 18cm long when uncoiled

Best For Variation

8. Fidgi Things Fidgi Pen

Fidgi Things Fidgi Pen

One of the best fidget toys that can be used discreetly, this fidget pen from Fidgi Things could be just what you are searching for. It works as an actual writing implement but includes seven different fidget features as well including pen click, spin disk, flip clip, click switch, rolling ball, smooth dip and textured grip which makes it ideal for older children to use at school to help them maintain their concentration.

Main Features

  • Price: £43.60
  • 7 fidget features
  • Uses universal ink refills
  • Smooth and lightweight

Best For Fidget Cubes

9. Yetech Galaxy Fidget Toy Cube‍

Yetech Galaxy Fidget Toy Cube

If you are specifically looking for a fidget cube, Amazon has a variety available but we chose this one to include in our list because it has a unique, colourful design and hundreds of positive reviews. As it is small, it can be taken anywhere and could be a great option for a child who has ADHD or trouble concentrating to keep in the pencil case or school bag when they need something to bring them back to focus. On the toy, each side has a different feature such as a rollable joystick, pressable buttons, flippable switch and spinner, all of which are designed to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety.

Main Features

  • Price: £8.89
  • Small, lightweight and easy to carry
  • Each side has a different feature
  • Made from high quality plastic.

Best For Motor Skills

10. BeSquared Magnetic TriMag Building Blocks‍

BeSquared Magnetic TriMag Building Blocks

As well as being great for fidgeting, this TriMag building blocks can be taken apart and put back together again in all manner of ways which helps contribute to creativity, motor skills and geometry. The 24 pieces don't have to be used all at once but can be combined to make different shapes, structures and patterns.

Main Features

  • Price: £16.79
  • Age: 3+
  • A fun STEM toy
  • Magnetic building blocks
  • Made from premium plastic

Kidadl Best Buys selects the top parent-recommended products across the web for families of all ages. We hope that you have found this article about the best fidget toys for kids and teens useful and that you now have plenty of inspiration for the best fidget and sensory toys for kids with ADHD, anxiety, stress and autism that might help them to help them self-regulate and process their environment. For more, take a look at our list of the best Lego gifts for crazy Lego kids, or for something different check out our pick of the best hatching toys that kids will love.

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Written by Jade Scott

Master of Science specializing in Criminal Investigation, Criminal Justice/Police Science, PCGE in Primary Education, Professional Diploma in User Experience Design

Jade Scott picture

Jade ScottMaster of Science specializing in Criminal Investigation, Criminal Justice/Police Science, PCGE in Primary Education, Professional Diploma in User Experience Design

Hailing from London, Jade now calls Lincolnshire home and enjoys the serene countryside that surrounds her. She has a wealth of experience as a primary school teacher, possessing a strong understanding of the curriculum, games, activities, and learning opportunities for children aged between 3-11. Jade is constantly on the lookout for new outdoor adventures and educational attractions to share with her two nephews. Her interests in science and crafts also enable her to provide fun, engaging, and educational activities for children to enjoy on rainy days. With a passion for discovering new experiences, she is always seeking out the latest deals and attractions to ensure a memorable time for all.

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