Fidget Toy Recommendations?

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Hi - my daughter is not developmentally disabled, but has a TON of energy and struggles to sit still for long periods of time. She says she just feels it building inside of her and the only way to cope is to be in constant motion. The feelings seem to be getting more intense as she gets older. We have a very long flight coming up this summer, and after having a very hard time on a recent flight to California (she’s otherwise an excellent flyer) has asked for some kind of fidget toy to help distract herself. Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[mistysue]

I would see if she likes rubiks cubes. If so, they make them in all sorts of variations now.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I would see if she likes rubiks cubes. If so, they make them in all sorts of variations now.

That’s a good idea. We have quite a few at home.

 

[SteveH]

Toss in "fidget box for autism" in search box duck duck go or google and check your options, same in Amazon will bring up a bunch. These help a lot of kids, not just those on the spectrum. For a flight or even in a line look for the quiet ones, avoid things that might to flying out of her hands (e.g. no balls)

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Toss in "fidget box for autism" in search box duck duck go or google and check your options, same in Amazon will bring up a bunch. These help a lot of kids, not just those on the spectrum. For a flight or even in a line look for the quiet ones, avoid things that might to flying out of her hands (e.g. no balls)

I tried that, but with so many options I figured I’d ask here to see if someone had specific recommendations of things that actually helped their kids. I personally don’t understand the need to fidget so nothing really resonates with me.

 

[Newsies]

There are so many different types of fidgets, I have ADHD and found I needed to do some trial-and-error to find a fidget that "scratched my brain" the right way so I could focus up!

When I was in college, fidget cubes became popular and that was a game changer for me. I picked up something similar to this one at a 7-11 and that was that, it went with me to every class and every time I felt my attention slipping away or like I needed to get out some energy. The knobs and buttons and quiet clicking noises were great for releasing kinetic energy and self-regulating. I definitely recommend trying this one! This crazy twelve-sided one might be great for a long flight because there's a couple of different things to keep someone occupied.

These quiet twisty ones are good too, these are kind of addictive haha they're fun to bend and are great at mindlessly releasing a little bit of energy without disrupting anything or anyone.

A simple dimple might also be good to try, since she can pop between both sides quickly to release a lot of energy at once.

You can also try a "squishy," they make soooo many of these in so many designs and such -- sometimes it helps just to have something soft to squeeze and feel between your hands.

 

[lanejudy]

DD has one like @Newsies first link.

I know it’s old-fashioned but I keep a small deck of cards and play various solitaire games. There are a couple that don’t require laying them out, just flipping the cards in your hand.

 

[eticketplease]

We found a fidget spinner being sold at WDW one year. DS has a pop socket that has all of the popping buttons and such for his phone that is constantly played with.

 

[merfsko]

I came to write literally everything that @Newsies said, both the caveat of different fidgets for different brains, and down to the same exact recs