I’m in the market for something different but, to no surprise of anyone, am getting overwhelmed by how blatantly consumerist fidget toys have become.
About a year ago, I picked up a cheap magnetic clicky slider fidget and though I wasn’t a big fan of the actual toy, I did fall I love with concept. I ended up getting a few more from Etsy that are 3D printed and one is micarta, but those are amazing. Big tactile clicks, loud as fuck, and just a good thing to carry for anxiety and social stuff. My main one can be quiet if need be so that helps.
But…
I’m in the process of purchase therapy because depression, and instead of buying another game I won’t ever play, I thought I’d treat myself to something that helps with keeping my hands busy.
So I am mostly looking for opinions and feedback on stuff that is out there. I have a spinner, several fidget cubes, putty, and some of the other normal ones. Right now I am looking at possibly a haptic coin, one of those 3D printed gyro things, the Lautie knockoff ratchet ring(though it’s even outside my price range even for it being a clone) and I keep coming back to FidgetsByAmelie on Etsy but it’s partially due to the cute colors they use and using bio plastics.
So yeah, I guess that’s it. TIA!
Things I think I like:
- rubber clicky buttons on fidget cube.
- clicky scroll ball
- clicky spinning wheel
- switch
- magnetic click/loud feedback
- knife flipping to some degree
- hair/beard rubbing(but that is built in)
- metal “shink” noise from that OWL knockoff slider
- probably any of the infinity style fidgets? Like cube or gear stuff
pen spinning mainly
I tried and failed miserably at spinning. I used to yo-yo a bit but fell out of the hobby. Then I got a set of begleri beads and could do some simple stuff but transfers(like with pen spinning) just did not like me lol. I even made a homemade pen spin mod from a Bic at one point. I’ve also looked into knucklebones as well because it seems maybe easier? But the cost of entry is a bit higher than an old Bic pen.
My preferred stim seems odd amongst people with Autism and ADHD, but I love smooth things. Those nylon size tags facing each other on the side of your shirt or pants, I love rubbing the smoothness together. The ultimate version of this is well worn silk, like my pillow cases. Great stim that makes very little noise and can easily be kept in your pocket
Another one I recommend that’s more popular with the nerd circles is mechanical keyboard test boards. Little boards with a bunch of different mechanical key types that you can switch out for your preferred mix of quiet, clicky, and bumpy. They’re usually about $20, and can sometimes double as a macro setup for your computer.
I like buying stims that also have a function outside of being stims. It makes me feel less guilty about retail therapy. It also doubles by letting me stim in front of neurotypicals without ever being bothered for it.
I don’t think fabric rubbing is at all weird! I know Taggies exist for early childhood sensory but I’ve always gravitated towards the corduroy style tags and not so much the silk ones. But also my SO called me out a few weeks ago for only wearing tagless t-shirts so there is that. I think the fabric might work for me if it came with few other functions? There is a magnet slider by Prits that has a worry stone groove in it that I feel might do the same thing. I almost got it over the micarta.
For keyboards, one of my hobbies is actually mechanical keyboards. I have 2 hot-swap boards both with tactiles. I have a few soldered with low pro tactiles. And I recently built a low profile clicky board. I love the snap of clickies but not so much the sound(when around other people since it can bug them) so I gravitated towards big tactile bumps. When typing fast it can feel amazing. I might make a keychain out of a leftover clicky though. 🤔
I like buying stims that also have a function outside of being stims. It makes me feel less guilty about retail therapy. It also doubles by letting me stim in front of neurotypicals without ever being bothered for it.
I feel this. My main right now is a magnetic slider and it ends up coming out in social interactions a lot. I get a bit self conscious about it at times. My last job interview didn’t go well and I feel like part of it was that. I think that is part of why I wanted to make this post is maybe glean some from the stealth/sleeper fidgets. There was a magnetic pen I saw the other day that comes apart and you can sort of stack the pieces or build things.
Do you have any recs for fidgets with another function?
All of these depend on what’s acceptable to carry around given your social circumstances
Pens are the classic. Cheap, easy to find, and very easy to stim with. I used mechanical pencils as a kid because I loved stimming on the smooth pencil lead and the octagonal outer cases. Sharpies and writing utensils as a whole are all great options for discrete multipurpose stims.
Fanny packs, purses, and backpacks are also great options for discrete and multipurpose stims. Zippers and buttons to close and open, and hold/hide other stims (activating the clicks through the fabric).
Swiss Army Knives and other multi tools are top tier stims. The go to stim for neurodivergent white men who have no idea they’re neurodivergent. They have lots of clicks and slides you can do, with multiple things on it that aren’t sharp or dangerous. This is one where if you do it, I strongly recommend buying one that’s bright red and looks like the Swiss Army knife. This has nothing to do with quality or brand, it’s just that Swiss Army knives don’t have the same reputation that a normal pocket knife does, so you can carry it more places with less issue. Obviously don’t pull it out somewhere it’s going to be a problem, but if you work in manual labor then it’s probably fine to have out.
Yoooo me too! I find the tags very soothing. I used to need a specific pillowcase when I was a child to do the same with in order to sleep.
This is, imo, the ultimate fidget toy: https://purple.com/squishy
Funny enough, being in the keyboard hobby, I know some people use these as wrist rests. Do you just squish it? Is the texture super rubbery?
It’s satisfying to squish and stretch and fold. Very rubbery/elastic and difficult (though not impossible) to break. I use one as a wrist rest too, lol.
(though not impossible) to break
Is this from experience? lol I’d be worried about overdoing it and breaking it but they are only $3.
When new, you really have to put some effort in to break them. Over time and with sufficient use, they wear out and break down. They are super cheap though. $1 each if you buy 30 and shipping is free.
So like it’s silly but both my wee ones like to mess with my current stash of fidgets and the older one tends to get carried away so I was going at it from the angle of if it can withstand a 5 year old’s aggressive fidgeting lol.
a spinning ring so i look cool. and sadly the front of my shirt sometime, so I guess I need something to chew on.
Ironically our oldest is a chewer. We got him a few rubberized chew toys pretty early after his diagnosis(ADHD) and he chewed right through the first one we got him.
I’m not much of an actual ring wearer, otherwise the spinning one would have already been bought. My SO has one she wore for a bit.
i had a bunch of those chew necklaces as a kid, it was nice.
I have a beaded bracelet that I use to fidget when I need to.
I think a wearable isn’t too far outside the realm of possibilities. I used to wear candy bracelets back in high school when I thought I was a cool raver lol.
I like it cause it isn’t too loud when I fiddle with it, I’m always worried that any fidgeting I do is bothering people around me lol.
An online friend also just recommended a rubber bracelet for similar. She’s also on the spectrum and has audio sensory sensitivity. Hey google find me fidget bracelets.
fwiw, I have two beaded bracelets I wear out, one brown beads and one gray stones. I’ll often wiggle my wrist, looks like I’m adjusting my hands, but the bracelets makes a nice rattle noise and feeling when they rub together.
I dig it. What keeps me from really getting back into bracelets is with how I rest my wrists when typing, they mostly get in the way. I wear a G-Shock watch but the strap is barely noticeable. I could try a fidget friendly bracelet for when I am out and about and don’t wanna be super annoying.
I did find these earlier today: https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/1163673744/sensory-fidget-bracelet-anxiety-relief?external=1&sts=1
What keeps me from really getting back into bracelets is with how I rest my wrists when typing
Definitely this, which is why I’m not wearing them right now
.I could try a fidget friendly bracelet for when I am out and about and don’t wanna be super annoying.
That is exactly what I do. It’s almost everyday carry along with my keys, phone, and wallet (and pen lmao)
I get this. Like just stash it with my wallet and keys and knife and grab it on my way out. I got into light edc while working from home at my last job that was very sedentary so I write my own jokes lol.
I know this isn’t a convenient option for everyone, but instead of fidgeting I tend to just get up from my chair and pace around my room. I like it because, while it’s a stretch to call it “exercise”, it’s healthier than sitting in my chair for hours on end.
Actually kinda proud of that change I made in my life. Before, when I put on a 40 minute Hasanabi vid, I’d take out my phone and play Subway Surfer, now I get up and walk around until my legs get tired. When I first started doing this, I walked around so much that my legs were sore the next few days lmao.
I’m actually a lifelong pacer myself. It was one of those “probably should have made the connection” things early on in my self diagnosis lol.
I always have to pace when talking on the phone and often when just reading.
I can’t stop touching my hair, please help
So long story shortish but I should have seen this as a sign. I used to have really long hair and would twirl it and then sort of group a section and push down on the ends. I would also rub and pull on my goatee. I am back to full beard and the habit came right back lol. This is a build in fidget I think I have finally embraced lol.
Whatever is on my desk at the time.
After meetings with my boss, which are always stressful, I look down at my desk and usually find some random item torn into tiny pieces
I hate buying things, so I just use old stuff I have lying around. At home I play a lot with cigarette lighters and small boxes, but outside I usually either play Antimatter Dimensions (it’s kinda like a fidget) or open and close a broken top half of one of those cheap pens. Opening and closing those old pre-smartphone phones was also a joy.
Antimatter Dimensions is probably the best game ever made.
Idk why but I guess I just never think about repurposing stuff for fidgeting with that I already have. Also def yes on clamshell and slide keyboard phones lol.
Not ASD/ADHD (probably) but I love to fidget
Just got some Greek worry beads and these things are amazing
I’ve considered prayer/worry beads before. You got a link?
I got mine here, and they are good quality, but you could probably get them cheaper somewhere
Here’s a good tutorial on how to use them. This guy’s like a skill toy person, so he does all kinds of crazy stuff with them, but I just learned the basic pass he shows at the beginning and was good to go
So this seems very much like what I should have gotten instead of begleri beads. The acrylic ones seem reasonably priced too.
I think the begleri are better if you want to do tricks and things, but man the kolomboi are just so satisfying
I dig the clackiness of the beads. Do they hurt if you whack your knuckles with them at all?
Nope!
Sweet. Gonna keep them on my list then. I have a set of Skill Pill begleri and they are hefty so when I crack them on my knuckles it really stings lol.
If you’re interested in mechanical keyboards, I have a 3d printed switch tester cube I bought from a keyboard site. Pop in whatever switches you like and click away. I have an assortment of clicky and silent switches, I love it!
I’ve def considered it but mostly for switches I don’t currently use in my boards? like maybe get one with a heavy chonker like Box Jades? The one you have came with hot-swap sockets I take it? Also could give me an excuse to dust off my MX style stock that isn’t getting any use. Gonna look more into them. Thanks!
Lol, of course you’re into mech keyboards! We’re a predictable bunch. The one I got just holds on to them loosely with a star shaped support in the middle that holds on to the central post of each switch. I used some spares and testers I had lying around. I have a box navy on one side that’s got a real satisfying click, another one is one of my Zilents that I have on my ergo split daily driver - LOVE those switches. What are you rocking with?
Rofl
So both my orthos are Everglide Oreos. I settled on them after Gat Browns for a long time. I wanted to try Pandas but don’t like heavy springs. These come with 45g springs and that big ass top bump. The came prelubed and just sound great. I have them in an XD75 and a Planck that now barely get used. I got into ergo splits when I was at my last job and started soldering my own. Around the same time second or third run of Cornish Zens were going and Darryl announced that he was working with Kailh to design the Sunsets. I’ve been wanting to get into chocs for a while but didn’t wanna give up my tactiles. This sort of answered that. Sunsets are great, if not a little wobbly. But I won’t go back from ergo column stagger split. It’s just so damn nice to type on. I have theme in 2 Cantor Remixes and my Sweep that I daily. I have a set of Robins in my Sweep36 though. And at some point I am planning on building an A.Dux with lightweight linear. I forget if I went with normal red or the speed variant. But before that happens, someone(probably end up being me) needs to port the A.Dux firmware to Vial.
Do you have a link? I’ve been thinking of getting something like this for ages.
It was the CLICKEYbits Fidget Switch Tester DIY Kit. Got it off of Drop a few years ago, but there’s no group buy for it right now. There’s some order versions of it on Etsy if you dig around.
Ah damn, I was hoping it wasn’t the one I saw on Drop lol. Thank you!
Yeah, sorry. If there’s enough requests I’m sure they’ll try and bring it back. But if you have access to a cheep 3d printer I don’t think it’d be too hard if you know what you’re doing. I, do not. The Etsy knockoffs look halfway decent tho.
I have a set of worry beads I got in Turkey that I replaced the string with fishing line because I tend to be so rough with it. Can be played with almost silently or I can swing it around to make a racket.
That’s amother for worry beads. I think I should have went with those instead of belgeri beads. I like the clacky rattle noises they make from the videos I watched.
My partner uses this thing a lot:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5100727
and this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1752508
They’re easy to 3d print and use less than a dollar’s worth of filament to make.
Edit: if you want one and don’t have a 3d printer, I can send you one if you feel comfortable with that
The gyro one recently caught my eye. There are like 3 different types on Etsy and they are fairly cheap but of course decision paralysis. Is it really big or could I use it one-handed?
I’ve also been looking at the infinity cubes a bit.
Hmmm. if you are State-side and pinky promise you aren’t a serial killer, I can dm you.
It’s about 2.5 inches, my partner says she uses it one handed sometimes.
I can confirm that I am in the US and not a serial killer.
DM me an address if you want one
There are a lot of great suggestions in this thread.
I have one of these finger strengthening things for guitar (even though I don’t play). Works well to keep my hand occupied instead of picking at my beard
Apologies for the amazon link https://a.co/d/e2vyZH1
No need to apologize. I’ve been all over Amazon, Etsy and Ali over the last 3 days.
I definitely kind of like this idea. Thanks!
My partner loved these pea pod squeeze keychains.. The cute face does rub off after a while but she got a lot of use out of it.
I may have looked into these already lol ❤️
Dumb question maybe but does it actually feel like edamame?
theyre made of rubber so i guess not? I don’t really use fidget toys myself but I did like it for my desk.
