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Because kids don’t need to sit perfectly still to learn.
Fidgeting used to be a problem teachers tried to solve. These days, we recognize that students don’t need to be completely still in order to learn, and constructive fidgeting actually helps many people focus. You can certainly buy fidgets, but the cost can add up if you want enough for a whole class. That’s why we love these DIY fidget toys! Make them yourself or use them as hands-on class projects for students to make their own. Either way, your students will love these DIY fidget toys, and so will your wallet.
These DIY fidget toys also make a fashion statement! You can wear them when your hands are busy, and take them off to fidget as needed.
Buy supplies at Amazon: 9” nylon zippers
Get the tutorial: Zipper Bracelets from Moms & Crafters
Wood craft sticks, plastic beads, and pipe cleaners are all inexpensive when you buy them in bulk. Find a few rolls of pretty washi tape, and you’re all set to make these easy DIY fidget toys!
Kids will enjoy the process of making these colorful “snakes,” personalizing the colors and patterns with cords and multicolor pony beads. Once they’re done, they can use them to fidget to their heart’s content!
Buy supplies at Amazon: Pony beads and nylon string
Get the tutorial: Bead Snakes from Super Mom Hacks
Stress putty combines all the fun of slime with the soothing nature of fidgets. Make your own and store it in small tins for a quiet fidget option for your classroom.
Get the tutorial: Stress Putty from Little Bins for Little Hands
If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you’ll love these fidget bracelets! The secret? There’s a built-in marble maze hidden inside. So cool!
Get the tutorial: Fidget Bracelets from de Jong Dream House
One of the best things about fidget bands is that they’re pretty much silent but they are perfect for kids who can’t sit still. Cut up old T-shirts (or any cheap fabric) that still have a bit of stretch left to them, braid them together, and sew them into a loop. You can make enough for your entire classroom for next to nothing!
Buy supplies at Amazon: Stretchy fabric
This easy-to-make pencil topper is as easy as threading beads onto a pipe cleaner and twisting it around the pencil. Making this DIY fidget toy also uses kids’ coordination to move beads onto the pipe cleaner and twist it around the pencil.
Buy supplies at Amazon: 1,000 pony beads and Chenille pipe cleaners
Get the tutorial: Fidget Pencil Toppers from The OT Toolbox
Remember when fidget spinners were all the rage? They’ve gone from fad to classroom tool now, but they can be pretty pricey. Fortunately, you can make your own from card stock and coins.
Get the tutorial: Fidget Spinner from Red Ted Art
You’ll need one bolt with two matching nuts for each of these DIY fidget toys. Spin one nut onto the bolt about halfway. Then, use hot glue to attach the second nut at the very bottom of the bolt. Now kids can spin the one in the middle when they need to fidget, with no worries about having it come loose and getting lost.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Nuts and bolts set
Get the tutorial: Nut and Bolt Fidgets from You Clever Monkey
Infinity cubes are so addictive! With some patience and precision, you can fold one from colorful paper squares. Watch the video and make a few by yourself to get the hang of it. Then try this as a classroom project so kids can make their own.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Origami paper
If you’re looking for an infinity cube that’s a bit more sturdy, try this one! Dice are affordable, easy to make with regular tape, and they look cool.
String beads onto key rings, then turn the rings into a chain. Try hanging one from your water bottle to remind you to drink more often too!
Buy supplies at Amazon: Split nickel key ring and 1 lb bag of pony beads
Get the tutorial: Fiddle Key Ring from Party Through the USA
If you’ve still got a box of old CDs hanging around, use them to make these DIY fidgets with a marble. They might be a little big for kids to use during class, but they’re a nice addition to your calm-down kit or corner.
Buy supplies at Amazon: CD-R blank discs and marbles
Get the tutorial: CD Fidget Spinner from Meaningful Mama
You can make a whole bin of these fidgets for just pennies! All you need are Perler beads and jumbo paper clips.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Large paper clips and Perler Beads
Get the tutorial: Paper Clip Fidget Toy from Sensibly Sara
DIY fidgets don’t get any easier than this! String colorful beads onto shoelace string, knotted at each end. These also make really fun tools for teaching kids to segment phonemes.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Flat shoelaces at Amazon, crafting beads at Amazon
Get the tutorial: Shoelace Fidgets from Marvelous Multiagers
Every kid loves the chance to build with LEGO! Find sets with round plates and axle pieces (like the ones we list below). Try turning this into a STEM challenge by providing the necessary pieces and asking kids to figure out how to construct one on their own.
Buy supplies at Amazon: LEGO bricks
Get the tutorial: LEGO Fidget Spinner from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
Here’s another super-easy DIY fidget option. Save pop tops from soda cans and feed them onto a key ring or binder ring. Kids can fidget with one hand while the other is clicking a mouse or flipping pages.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Split nickel key rings and aluminum pop tabs
Learn more: Pop Top Fidget Toy from STEAMsational
These easy-squeezy DIY fidgets are fun to make and even more fun to play with! Fill balloons with a mixture of baking soda and hair conditioner, then decorate however you like.
Buy supplies at Amazon:Latex balloons and baking soda
The best thing about this DIY project is that your kids can customize a fidget toy to make cool fidget spinners that no one else has!
Get the tutorial: Craft Stick Fidget Spinner from Kids Activities Blog
This tutorial will show you how to make a watermelon squishy toy, but you can use the same method to make any shape or figure you’d like!
Get the tutorial: DIY Watermelon Squishy Toy from Buggy and Buddy
This DIY fidget tool is perfect for the desk because of its small, discrete size. It can be stored right inside the desk or even in a pencil case.
Get the tutorial: Desk Fidget Tool for School from The OT Toolbox
This fidget toy made from recycled soda bottle caps will take a bit of effort, but it will be worth it! Be sure to thoroughly watch the YouTube video for the exact dimensions of everything you’ll need.
Buy supplies at Amazon: marbles
Make a spinning top DIY toy from a plastic milk bottle lid and a toothpick. Does it get any easier? A word of caution: This fidget toy may not be suitable for younger kids as the toothpicks are sharp.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Skewers
Get the tutorial: Easy DIY spinning top from The Craft Train
Some kids need weight and the feeling of heaviness to help them focus—this targets the proprioceptive system. A knit glove filled with beans (or corn, rice, etc.) can do the trick.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Stretchy gloves
Learn more: Weighted Fidget Toy from The OT Toolbox
Get the template to cut, color, fold, and then fidget with the Flextangle. The nice thing about this fidget is kids can make as many as they want.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Card stock
Get the tutorial: Flextangles from Babble Dabble Do
Fill a balloon with flour and stretch and roll it into any shape, including a pretzel. This is a great fidget for a desk or flat surface where a student can roll with one hand.
Buy supplies from Amazon: Hand twisting balloons
Get the tutorial: Pretzel Stress Ball from Handmade Charlotte
The perfect fidget for the slime-obsessed student, and it won’t make a mess (unlike slime).
Buy supplies at Amazon: Balloons and mesh fabric
Get the tutorial: Calm-Down Squish Ball from Views From a Step Stool
These cake squishies are adorable and perfect for a pocket or palm to squeeze when a student is anxious.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Manicure sponges and puffy paints
Get the tutorial: Squishy Cakes from Kid Spot
This fidget is more for kids who require a lot of oral input—think kids with autism who tend to rub things on their mouths as a sensory-seeking behavior.
Learn more: Chewable Necklace from Lemon Lime Adventures
The act of making these cute yarn dolls is as helpful as having them on a key chain or in a pocket for fidgeting.
Buy supplies at Amazon: Yarn
Get the tutorial: Yarn Dolls from The Craft Train
Combine coding and fidgeting with this activity. Students can choose a word that they want to code in beads (amazing, unique, friend), then use coding techniques to write the word in beads that they can play with.
Buy supplies at Amazon: 1,000 pony beads and Chenille pipe cleaners
Get the tutorial: Coding Bracelet from STEAMsational
Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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