Top Tip - Fidget Toys

Here at Sensory Direct we have numerous top tips for choosing sensory fidget toys.

We’ve been selling fidget toys since 2010 and we’ve seen numerous changes in the market as fads take hold and fade away.

Back then the idea that fidget toys were suitable for autistic people, those with ADHD or to relieve anxiety, didn’t really exist.

Over the past few years awareness of sensory issues has become more widespread and fidget toys have been found to provide relief for many people.

Metallic Tangle Sensory Fidget ToyTop Tip - Tangle Toys

The first fidget toy we started selling was the Tangle Toy which remains a firm favourite to this day.

It's a handheld toy made up of interconnected curved sections that can be twisted, bent, and moved in various ways.

The Tangle was always a big hit when we took it to places such as The Autism Show.

Cheap copies of these are now available but to ensure safety and quality we would always recommend the original Tangle Toy from the USA.

Click here to see our range of Tangle fidgets

Top Tip - Stress BallsSqueezy Stress Balls

Stress Balls have proven to be popular over the years.

Squeezable balls made of foam or rubber that can help relieve stress and provide tactile stimulation.

They are inexpensive and easy to carry around.   Click to see our Stress Ball range.

One craze that took the world by storm a few years ago, was the fidget spinner (remember those?).

They became so popular that many schools banned them and they fell in popularity almost as quickly as they emerged.

Push Popper Sensory Fidget ToyTop Tip - Push Popper Toys

Another huge craze was the Push Popper Toys, which we first saw back in 2018.

Similar to the feeling you get by bursting bubble wrap, these simple toys evolved quickly to become available in different shapes and sizes. They became very popular very quickly.

Whilst the appetite for these toys appear to be on the wane we still stock them simply because they are great sensory toys and work really well for our customers.  Click here to see more fidget toys

Top Tip - Squishy Mesh BallSquishy Mesh Ball Sensory Fidget Toy

Another great tactile toy is the Squishy Mesh Ball. It's soft and pliable toy that can be squeezed, stretched, and squashed to provide tactile and stress-relieving sensations.

There are a lot of these types of toy on the market which vary enormously in price and quality.

The cheaper ones often of poor quality and are prone to burst easily so we only stock high quality products.

Ours may be a little more expensive, but they are safer and last longer.

large fidget toy packTop Tip - Fidget Toy Packs

Something that became clear to us at Sensory Direct, was that people wanted to buy more than one fidget toy at a time, so they could have different tools for different situations.

So a few years ago we started to put together carefully curated fidget toy packs of varying sizes to suit a variety of budgets and needs.

Containing a selection of high quality fidget and sensory toys, these have proved extremely popular over the years.  See some of our fidget packs here.  These include multi buys for schools and colleges.

Safety

At Sensory Direct we only stock high quality fidget and sensory toys which are fully tested and comply with all relevant UK safety testing.

We hope our top tips for choosing sensory fidget toys have been helpful.

Remember, individual preferences vary, so it's essential to observe and understand the specific sensory needs of the person you're selecting the fidget toy for.

For example, it is important to ensure the fidget toy is age appropriate: younger children need something safe whilst teens will appreciate a fidget that is more discreet to use and carry.

It is important to ensure the fidget toy is right for the intended user. For example, if you are buying for a child that bites and chews toys then a squishy mesh ball would not be recommended as they could easily bite through to the liquid inside the toy.

Whilst the liquid is non-toxic and would cause no harm, this could be distressing for child and parent.  In this instance it would much better to buy something more appropriate such as a chewy toy which is designed to be bitten.