Best Cheap Fidget Toys for Anxiety for 2024 – CNET [CNET]
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While they may look silly, fight toys can be incredibly beneficial for those dealing with anxiety. In the last few years alone, the popularity of fidget toys has risen exponentially, as well as the discourse surrounding them. Many groups of teachers, parents, professionals and students swear by them. Fidget toys are small tools you spin between your fingers to help reduce anxiety. Think of it as an outlet to channel everyday stressors. That being said, they’re not a substitute for professional help, but they may be a great tool to help manage anxiety and stress symptoms.
We searched the internet for the best cheap fidget toys and chose the ones with the best price, appearance, durability and customer reviews.
Here are our top picks for the best fidget toys for $10 and under.
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However, be aware that the tubes can dented during rough play. If you use these in the classroom, be aware that they make noise.
Best features:
- Fun texture and sounds
- Can connect the tubes together for more play
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Fidgets for children need to be entertaining enough to occupy their busy hands. These brightly colored, textured and plastic pop tubes are guaranteed to grab their attention. Each set comes with four pop tubes for one low price. Similar to Lego and other building blocks, you can even connect a few pop tubes together to make larger tubes. The rigid tubes can be pulled and bent to make shapes, letters or words. Every time a tube is pulled or pushed together, it makes a sound, similar to a bendy straw. Let your young kids play with these fidgets on their own or join in on the fun.
However, be aware that the tubes can dented during rough play. If you use these in the classroom, be aware that they make noise.
Best features:
- Fun texture and sounds
- Can connect the tubes together for more play
Show expert take Show less
The research on the effectiveness of fidget toys is still new, and has had mixed results. Some children and adults seem to benefit from fidgets, while others find them distracting. Many of the studies on fidget toys are about other uses, like improving attention and focus, rather than anxiety specifically. More studies need to be done. However, based on many first-hand accounts of those who use fidgets, they often can help calm the mind.
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When the body is under stress and anxiety, it often responds in a physical way known as fidgeting. This fidgeting is due to discomfort and can look like a tapping foot or having trouble sitting still. Fidget toys are a way to soothe this anxiety and keep the mind focused and calm at the task ahead. They can direct the anxious energy somewhere else, so your mind is clear enough to continue through a work meeting or an important lecture.
The research on the effectiveness of fidget toys is still new, and has had mixed results. Some children and adults seem to benefit from fidgets, while others find them distracting. Many of the studies on fidget toys are about other uses, like improving attention and focus, rather than anxiety specifically. More studies need to be done. However, based on many first-hand accounts of those who use fidgets, they often can help calm the mind.
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Fidget toys are accessible and already fairly affordable. You can find cheap fidget toys on Amazon or in department stores like Walmart or Target. Your local grocery store might even carry a few fidgets.
However, Amazon usually has the best prices for fidget toys. They even offer variety packs of 50 small fidgets or less for about $20. Here’s one variety pack for $13.
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The research on the effectiveness of fidget toys is still new, and has had mixed results. Some children and adults seem to benefit from fidgets, while others find them distracting. Many of the studies on fidget toys are about other uses, like improving attention and focus, rather than anxiety specifically. More studies need to be done. However, based on many first-hand accounts of those who use fidgets, they often can help calm the mind.
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