For the fidgety kid in all of us and in our classroom, check out these creative homemade fidget ideas to keep your hands busy, your mind at ease, and your attention focused!
1. Soda Tab Toy
Grab the tabs off of your empty soda cans, a key ring, and make this super simple fidget. This discreet fidget toy is free to make and small enough to keep fingers occupied and concentration sharp in any social situation.
Learn more: steamsational.com
2. CD Spinner
These cute, school-friendly fidget toys can be made in the classroom using some old CDs, glue, and marbles! For extra fun have your kids decorate their CDs with permanent markers, stickers, and glitter before gluing them together and letting them spin.
Learn more: meaningfulmama.com
3. Infinity Dice
These homemade dice cubes are great for any fan of fidget toys and (a little bonus) include some basic numbers and math practice. Follow the easy instructions here for how to put your dice together with clear tape to make a fidget cube with infinite possibilities for fun!
Learn more: instructables.com
4. Cap Spinners
This toy idea is hands down one of the simplest autism crafts to make and use on any occasion. Find a water bottle cap and a toothpick put them together and watch it go!
Learn more: thecrafttrain.com
5. Squeezable Stress Heads
Follow the link here to see the materials you need to make these adorable stress balls. Grab some baking soda or powder for flour stress balls, or add some gel beads to give it a fun texture! So many variations to choose from to help your kid's busy fingers stay moving.
Learn more: naturalbeachliving.com
6. Foam Fruits!
This fidget craft lets your kids squish all their favorite foods without making a mess! You'll need some memory foam, sharp scissors, fabric paint, and some paintbrushes. Get some ideas for what to make here, or get innovative and make a squishy pizza!
Learn more: buggyandbuddy.com
7. Let Go with Legos!
For this lego fidget spinner, you'll need some lego pieces, to see which ones you need and how to put them together, check out this link. Following instructions and putting together these blocks of color is a great classroom project that your students will love, and the results will make your hand spin!
Learn more: frugalfun4boys.com
8. Zipper or Buckle Bracelets
These DIY fidget toys are easy to make and bring with you wherever you go! Making them is also a fun craft to do with your kids. You'll need some basic crafting materials, scissors, zippers, buckles, and sewing needles. Follow the instructions here to see how to make your own!
Learn more: momsandcrafters.com
9. Marble Maze
This is a quiet fidget for crafty people of all ages and it can be personalized in a variety of ways. You'll need a few small pieces of fabric, sewing needles/thread, a marble, and a maze template you can find here or create on your own! These can be made using fun pattern ideas with different color combinations or designs for sensory stimulation.
Learn more: applegreencottage.com
10. Nuts and Bolts
This is one of my favorite fidget toys, and all you need are a few metal pieces. See how to put together the nuts and bolts here and let your kids twist away with these small shiny fidgets.
Learn more: pinterest.com
11. DIY Fidget Putty
Silly putty balls are easy-squeezy DIY fidgets sure to keep your kids' hands busy all day long! Follow the instructions for how to make some putty here, and mix in different food coloring for a tie-dye effect that changes as you squeeze.
Learn more: littlebinsforlittlehands.com
12. Colorful Fidget Stick
These fidget tools are great for in the classroom where students may have fidgety hands that cause trouble in handwriting and attention. You can make these in class as a fun art project using an assortment of materials including, colorful beads, duct tape, popsicle sticks, and pipe cleaners.
Learn more: theottoolbox.com
13. Chewable Necklace
You've heard of kids putting their sweatshirt strings in their mouths? This is like that, but better! Have your kids pick out some cool socks, then get some wooden beads and shoestring and get started. Follow the instructions here and end up with a cute necklace that helps calm older kids down with oral stimulation.
Learn more: lemonlimeadventures.com
14. DIY Paper Ninja Spinners
Everyone knows about the ever-popular fidget spinner, but did you know you and your kids can make your own with paper? These ninja star spinners are a fun origami activity at home or in the classroom. To see how to fold your own grab some colorful paper and get folding by following the instructions here!
Learn more: redtedart.com
15. Braided Yarn Dolls
For these cute little fidgets, all you need is yarn! Grab your kids' favorite color and get to braiding. Follow the instructions here to make a yarn doll they can braid and re-braid over and over again.
Learn more: thecrafttrain.com
16. Stretchy Foot Bands
This classroom fidget is great for antsy feet during class. All you need is some spandex fabric and sewing materials. See how to make it here, and then wrap the band around the bottom of any chair. Your students can push, pull, step on, or kick the spandex loop as they are doing classwork, reading, or homework.
Learn more: andnextcomesl.com
17. Paper Clip Buddies
This is an awesome fidget for school or traveling because it is small, light, and super easy to make! All you need are some plastic beads and paper clips. Your kids can keep these handy for days where they feel anxious or fidgety.
Learn more: sensiblysara.com
18. Stick Spinners
This DIY fidget is a fun craft project to make with your kids or in the classroom. Follow the instructions here to see how to put together these unique and personalized fidget spinners using craft sticks, skate bearings, and a few other supplies.
Learn more: kidsactivitiesblog.com
19. Fidget Bead Bracelet
These bracelets are cute and simple to make just using some cord and wooden beads. They help kids have something to twist and the bright colors and sensations can be calming in stressful situations. Follow the easy instructions here to make your own!
Learn more: linesacross.com
20. Fidget Pencil Topper
For this classroom-friendly fidget, all you need are some pipe cleaners, small beads, rubber bands, and your kids' favorite pencil. Follow the steps here to see how to attach the beads and pipe cleaner with the rubber band to the pencil. You can be as creative as you want with different colors and textures.
Learn more: theottoolbox.com
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