Why might you use a fidget toy in the classroom?
Sensory fidget toys (also known as sensory fiddle toys) are commonly recommended by occupational therapists or tried out by teachers for children who fiddle with their pens or other items on their desk. For some children, a fiddle toy might just mean the difference between concentrating and attending on what the teacher is saying or missing much of the lesson. They don’t work for every child though and in some cases can cause more of a distraction! In this post I will cover
Key takeaways: Using fidget toys
1. Fidget toys must be chosen carefully: Fidget toys may help some children concentrate better by keeping their hands busy and reducing the urge to touch other things. However, they don’t work for every child, and the wrong toy can become a distraction rather than a support.
2. Choose fidget toys that are silent, durable, and suited to the child’s preferences: The best fidget toys are quiet, robust, and have a texture the child enjoys (e.g. soft, stretchy, or squeezable). Avoid toys that can leak, make noise, or are too visually engaging — these are likely to distract both the user and their classmates.
3.Monitor how the toy is used and whether it actually helps: A helpful fidget toy should increase attention, improve behaviour, and reduce disruptions. If the toy becomes a plaything, causes noise, or distracts others, it may not be appropriate. GriffinOT’s sensory aware training can help you understand how to monitor effectiveness of all sensory tools.
Why might you use a fidget toy in the classroom?
Sensory fidget toys (also known as sensory fiddle toys) are commonly recommended by occupational therapists or tried out by teachers for children who fiddle with their pens or other items on their desk. For some children, a fiddle toy might just mean the difference between concentrating and attending on what the teacher is saying or missing much of the lesson. They don’t work for every child though and in some cases can cause more of a distraction! In this post I will cover
Which children might benefit from a sensory fidget toy?
Let’s explore my main tips for choosing sensory fidget toys.
What types of fidget toys work best in the classroom?
I always suggest choosing something silent, robust, and matched to the child’s sensory preference. It’s essential to avoid anything that makes noise, contains liquid or slime, or is visually engaging like a fidget spinner, as these distract the whole class. It’s important to involve the child in the decision as some children prefer something soft to squeeze, others want something stretchy or that moves in their fingers. Finally, don’t overlook simple options like blu-tack or a piece of soft fabric, which often work better than shop-bought toys.
How can I tell if a fidget toy is actually helping my student to concentrate?
It’s helpful to look for clear signs of improved engagement, not just a busy pair of hands. In my experience, a fidget is working when the child is answering more questions, following instructions more quickly, completing more work at their desk, and being less disruptive to classmates. If the child has zoned out, started playing with the toy, or is making more noise or movement, it’s become a distraction and you need to swap it or remove it. Keep a simple tally of disruptions with and without the toy to make the comparison concrete.
What if the sensory fiddle toy is not helping?
For some children, fidget toys don’t make a lot of difference or can make them more distracted. In this case, remove the toy, or try a different fidget toy.
What can I use as a fidget?
Many different items can be used as a fiddle toy. These also don’t need to be expensive shop brought toys. Sometimes children find something as simple as blu-tack a great fidget! One child I worked with liked a small piece of soft material. As noted above it is important to find a fidget toy that works for the individual child. There is no one size fits all sensory fidget! Every child is different. In the rest of this post, I will explore my top tips for choosing appropriate fidget toys!
Choose a silent fiddle toy
As an OT, my first tip for choosing a sensory fiddle toy is that it must be silent. If the toy makes noise this can be distracting for the student. It also creates a distraction for the other children in the class and the teacher! When choosing a fidget toy make sure it doesn’t make any noise. You might need to squeeze and shake it in the shop to be sure.
Find a fidget toy that don’t leak
My next tip comes from many many years of experience cleaning up after fidget toys. For me, it’s essential to avoid any fidget toys that could leak if punctured. Unfortunately there are a number of sensory fiddle toys/fidgets on the market that are not very robust. Some of them can leak quite easily if they get a hole. It’s important to look for a sensory toy that will withstand being squeezed and pulled and pushed over a long period of time. I also recommend avoiding fidget toys that have liquid or slime inside them just to be safe. Physio resistant eggs/balls and foam stress balls can be a better solution.
Consider the texture of the sensory toy
Next, it’s important to choose a sensory texture that your child prefers – not all fidget toys suit all children! Every child is an individual. There is not one fiddle toy that will be suitable for all children. Some children prefer soft textures, like fabric. Other children like something that they can pull. Sometimes children like something they can squeeze. Or it might be that your child likes something that moves when they fiddle with it. It’s best to involve the child when choosing a fiddle toy rather than just making a choice for them. You might also find they already have something they are using which would be suitable like a piece of blu-tack or their watch strap.
Check the fiddle toy doesn’t create a distraction
In classrooms it’s important to ensure the child is not zoning out due to the fidget toy. The goal of the fiddle toy is to help with attention. Therefore, if it is causing the child to zone out it’s not helping with their learning. Fidget toys such as fidget spinners sometimes distract the child from their learning. Using a favourite toy as the child’s fidget (e.g. a Lego man) might also be distracting. Link in with the child’s teacher and use the tips for monitoring fidget toys below.
As an OT, a crucial thing I consider is monitoring of the fidget toy to to ensure it is helping. If it is becoming more of a distraction then it’s not the correct sensory strategy for that child.
Make sure you monitor the fidget toy!
It is super important to make sure the sensory fiddle toys are helping rather than creating more of a distraction for the child or their classmates. Don’t expect the child to necessarily look more at the teacher when they are talking. Do, however, expect to see some of the following signs that the child is getting some benefits from their sensory fidget toy:
What if the sensory fiddle toy is not helping?
For some children, fidget toys don’t make a lot of difference or can make them more distracted. In this case, remove the toy, or try a different fidget toy.
It is also important to use basic behaviour management strategies with fiddle toys. If the child is creating a distraction with they toy, this is not OK. Teachers should make sure the child is using the sensory toy appropriately. The toy should remain on the student’s desk. It must not cause a distraction to other students. The fidget toys must also be used how they are designed to be used. A toy designed to be squeezed should be squeezed. If it’s designed to be stretched it should be stretched. Even if the fiddle toy has been recommended by an occupational therapist it still needs to be used appropriately in the classroom.
Indications that the fidget toy might not be helping:
Can my child use a fidget toy at home?
Yes, fidgets can be helpful at home during waits, transitions, and mealtimes. For some children, they can also be a great discreet pocket soother if they child feels anxious when out in the community.
Parents, check with your child’s school before sending in a fidget toy
This tip is for parents. Ensure that your child’s school is happy for them to use the fiddle item (e.g. some schools ban blu-tack/fidget spinners). If your child likes to fiddle with something and you know it helps with their attention make sure you check with their teacher before you say they can use it at school. If your child has an occupational therapist they can help to choose an appropriate sensory fiddle toy. In cases where they don’t, you could link in with the school’s special education needs coordinator (SENCO) to see what the school would recommend and be happy for your child to use.
When might a fidget toy be helpful at home?
What can I use as a fidget?
Many different items can be used as a fiddle toy. These also don’t need to be expensive shop brought toys. Sometimes children find something as simple as blu-tack a great fidget! One child I worked with liked a small piece of soft material. As noted above it is important to find a fidget toy that works for the individual child. There is no one size fits all sensory fidget! Every child is different. Some other ideas are below:
About the author
All articles on the GriffinOT website are written by children’s occupational therapist Kim Griffin. Kim has over 25 years’ experience supporting children with sensory and skill needs, their teachers and families. She is the author of multiple books, presents all training at GriffinOT and hosts the EBPOT podcast. Kim is currently completing her PhD, focussing on supporting children’s self-regulation in schools, at Oxford Brookes University.
Date last updated by Kim: 27th May 2026
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