Fidget toys that won’t make you feel like a child
As busy college students with a lot on our plates, we inevitably deal with some nerves and anxiety. Sometimes, our gut reaction to dealing with this anxiety is fidgeting. As quite a fidgiter myself, I have tried out many different fidget toys over the years. My biggest complaint with fidget toys has always been that they are geared toward children. They are usually brightly colored, noisy or otherwise distracting. If you’re someone who would benefit from less childlike fidget resources, I have narrowed down a list of my top 3 for you.
When I consider a new fidget resource, there are three categories that I take into account: satisfaction level, discreetness, and portability. The satisfaction level of a fidget toy refers to the degree to which using it distracts me from less productive habits and allows me to focus on the task at hand. Essentially, can I effectively fidget without distraction?
Discreetness is very important to me as a college student who can typically be found sitting in lecture halls with hundreds of other students. When I refer to a fidget resource being discreet, I am assessing how noticeable it is to others based on how it looks, sounds and exists in a space with me. These can be hard to come by in a world that emphasizes fidgeting for children but not as much for adults.
Finally, I always think about portability when it comes to my fidget resources. To be in college is to be perpetually on the go. I am constantly in transit from my house, classes, work, the gym, etc. A successful college student’s fidget toy must be portable, discreet and satisfying. What follows here is a refined list of my favorite and most highly recommended fidget resources for college students, and their pros and cons broken down by category.
1. Spiky Rings
Satisfaction level: 5/5
These bands of twisted, spiky metal have been a game changer for me as someone who picks my skin. Simply rolling a ring up and down my fingertips is distracting and satisfies the urge to pick at my fingers, which is my go to habit. The metal design means they are always cool to the touch, which can be calming during an overwhelming moment.
Discreetness: 4/5
The only downfall of these otherwise perfect fidget toys falls under the discreetness category. Because they are made of metal, they are shiny and tend to catch the light, which can draw the attention of people around you. However, they are completely silent, which is a must when sitting in a lecture hall or the library.
Portability: 4/5
These rings are small, so they are easy to bring around from class, to the library, to work, to a club meeting… you name it. Pop one in your pocket or belt bag and you are good to go! They do lose a point because they are so small that they get lost quite easily, especially if you are a forgetful person like myself. Luckily, they come in packs of up to 50, so replacing them is a breeze.
2. Scratch stickers
Satisfaction level: 3/5
In case you didn’t know (I didn’t!) scratch stickers are strips of textured silicone with adhesive backing. Originally made for kids to fidget in classrooms, this resource can also be incredibly useful for us as college students as we tackle zoom calls, study sessions and lectures. When you have extra energy to expel, scratch away at these stickers. They are not the most satisfying resource I’ve found, but every little bit helps.
Discreetness: 3/5
The three points that I’ve awarded to scratch stickers reflect how easy they are to hide, especially if you purchase clear stickers. However, they do lose points and this is due to the noise that they make when you scratch them. If you’re sitting in an otherwise silent lecture hall, others will definitely find your scratching distracting. I would recommend scratch stickers for a zoom lecture or solo studying.
Portability: 5/5
Scratch stickers are an A+ fidget resource in terms of their portability. You can stick them to a laptop, water bottle, phone case, desk, and basically any other smooth surface you come into contact with often. It is possible to cut them down to any size you need, making them an ideally flexible resource. If you are forgetful like me, don’t worry! You literally can’t lose the sticker… unless you lose what it’s stuck to.
3. Magnetic putty
Satisfaction level: 5/5
This magnetic putty is consistently cool to the touch, makes a soothing and satisfying noise, and can be used in basically countless ways. Lining the little magnets up, stacking them in patterns, squishing them around… whatever type of fidgeting helps you express your energy, these magnets are right there with you. Plus, they come in many different colors, so match them to your desk decor for a much classier fidget option than so many childlike resources.
Discreetness: 0/5
I’ll be honest here: these magnets are anything but discreet. They are fairly noisy, don’t blend in with typical office or school supplies, and require more attention than, say, a simple scratch sticker. I would recommend using these during casual meetings or friendly study sessions where you have the ability to fidget without judgment.
Portability: 2/5
Finally, portability. These magnetic beads come in a metal container, meaning they do stay contained. However, I took off points because I understand that it is typically unrealistic to be able to fidget and play with them during more serious meetings or lectures. These are best utilized at home or during a solo study session at the library.
And there you have it! My curated list of college-age fidget resources. Not every resource will work for every person, and that’s okay; finding what works for you is a process, and a long one at that. I hope that this list can give you a starting point if you’re struggling to pay attention in class, focus during a club meeting, or complete the many hours of homework we have to deal with as college students with finals quickly approaching. College is tough, but we are tougher! You’ve got this.