As an adult, you may have said goodbye to toys long ago. But if you’re currently dealing with a mental health disorder like anxiety, a toy might be just the thing to soothe your worries away. We’re talking about fidget toys. As the name implies, it’s a toy that one can fidget with to keep their hands and fingers busy. Think about the satisfaction you feel when popping bubble wrap—a fidget toy can produce a similar feeling. “The basic theory behind them is that when a person is experiencing anxiety, they can distract themselves from it by playing with a fidget toy,” says Dr. Shana Feibel, Attending Psychiatrist at the Lindner Center of HOPE and assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at The University of Cincinnati. Feibel says that in addition, while distraction is a common way to avoid anxiety, adding a physical component to it can help to improve the relief even more. “For people who have nervous energy, this gives them an additional way to get it out,” she says. While fidget toys have been mainstream among anxious or hyperactive children for quite some time (one 2020 study cites that children who used fidget toys improved their academic performance), they’re becoming increasingly popular among adults as well. And they’re not just for anxious individuals. “Fidget toys can actually be very helpful in depression as well,” Dr. Feibel says. “If you think of them as a distraction tool, people can deflect some of the symptoms of depression, such as rumination and negative thoughts. People with obsessive compulsive disorder could use a fidget toy to help distract them from perseverating thoughts that are difficult to control. They can be especially helpful for people who engage in self-harm, such as cutting or burning themselves. If someone has an urge to do this, they can try to subvert the urge by using a fidget toy.” Dr. Feibel recommends trying various fidget toys to discover one that works best for you. She also advises using them in proper settings—for instance, when it comes to children and fidget spinners, some schools have banned them since they can be distracting to other students. This also goes for your work meetings or other places where the fidget toy may be too disruptive. If you are having thoughts of self-harm or you’re dealing with debilitating anxiety or depression, a fidget toy won’t be enough to “fix” it—the most important thing to do is seek the help of a mental health professional immediately. But in the meantime (and this may even come at the advice of a mental health expert you speak to), here are 14 fidget toys geared toward adults. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
14 Best Fidget Toys for Anxiety
Fidget Bead Necklace - $65
One of the things to keep in mind for fidget toys made for adults is that they tend to look discreet so that you can be in that work meeting and still fidget if the need arises. That’s why this necklace from Uncommon Goods is so brilliant. It flies under the radar as a fidget spinner, and it does so stylishly.
Pure Brass Fidget Cube- $13.99
Supers 33mm Magnet Balls - $15.95
Speks is a company that makes many fidget toy options that are perfect for adults, and these magnetic balls are just one example. Looking more like desk decor than a fidget toy, you can pick up these magnetic balls and circle them around in your hand as you take that Zoom call. Orbiter - A Fidget Device by TEC Accessories- $68.95
Finger Tracing Meditation Mug - $38
How’s this for a “fidget toy” that doesn’t look like a toy at all? This mug from Uncommon Goods is perfect for adults who need to work out some anxiety. As you sip your tea or coffee, allow your finger to follow the line design on the mug, looking exactly like a labyrinth, or a series of meditative paths that helps people have a soothing walk.
Crystal Roller Fidget Toy and Spinner — $30.18
For another fidget toy option that looks chic and pretty, look no further than this handmade pick from Etsy. It can be totally personalized with stones in your preferred colors, and it’s tiny enough to be tucked into a pocket whenever you feel the need to spin the beads.
Fidgi Pen - The Original Fidget Pen— $14.99
Hexagon Fidget Toy - $7.50
For a fidget toy that’s equal parts modern-looking and hypnotic, consider this hexagon-shaped fidget toy from Etsy. You can customize the size and colors, and you’ll bust nervous energy by using it to create spellbinding patterns.
Sehao Finger High Speed Rotating Stress Relief Toy - $6.09
Searching for a fidget toy that’s also pretty cute? This sea-green one from Walmart comes in an eye-pleasing color, and you’ll relieve stress by rotating the pieces.
Fidget Strips—Discreet Anti Stress Tactile Rough Sensory Calm Strips- $9.99
Meditative Sand Wonderscape - $69.00 - $140.00
Perhaps you’re looking for a fidget toy that’ll look amazing in your decor. Whether it’s your office or living room, this sandscape from Uncommon Goods is sure to be a conversation starter, in a good way. Experience a trance-like, anxiety-free state as you push the balls around the sand and create various patterns.
Pop It Fidget Toys- $13.97
Wewinn Pure Brass Fidget Spinner- $21.89
Weighed Gyroscope Fidget - $10
This contemporary-looking weighted gyroscope fidget toy from Etsy looks more like an art piece than anything else. Available in 10 colors, you can spin it and it adds weight to your hand—like a mini weighted blanket, it could be very calming for your anxiety. Next up, discover 75 ways to calm anxiety.
Sources
Dr. Shana Feibel, Attending Psychiatrist at the Lindner Center of HOPE and assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at The University of Cincinnati.University of Northern Colorado: “The Effects of Fidgets on Attention and Learning of College Students”
