The Fidget Spinner & Fidget Cube Craze
This summer’s controversial new craze is the fidget toy. Whether it is in the form of the fidget cube, or the larger fidget spinner, they are taking the UK by storm. Billed as a low tech and cheap way to address ADHD tendencies, anxiety or Autism, they play on providing a sensory outlet.
I, with my educational hat on, have limited faith in the rationale behind these devices. The cube essentially has a number of tactile and clickable surfaces to focus away anxiety or steady inherent tendencies. They are aimed at the school and office, even though this isn’t explicit in a lot of marketing. Different manufacturers have flooded the markets or eBay, Amazon, car boot sales and alike, with build quality and prices varying wildly.
What are Fidget Cubes & Spinners?
The fidget cube, I don’t mind. It may help to relive stress, like the squeezy stress balls in the 90’s, but to say it will address any potential spectrum needs for a child or adult is ambitious at most. Also, the lower quality ones are not as discreet as they could be with squeaking joints and clicking surfaces. But, some children may find some degree of use with them, particularly in stressful times, like SATs testing time.
The Fidget Spinner and Ban the Fidget Toy Controversy
The fidget spinner is the newest evolution of the fidget craze. As a toy, is fine. It’s an amusing engineering and gadget-related invention with some entertainment value. You only need to google the term “Fidget Spinner Tricks” and you’ll get the idea why this item is really a toy. Not, as some may suggest, a medical aid.
We come next to how the spinner is anything but subtle. If the cube allowed users to secretly fiddle under or behind a desk, the spinner does not. The fidget spinner screams attention. In the classroom older children are beginning to request them far and wide as toys. Not requesting them as learning or focus aids, but because peers and others have them. So in any given school, settings and teachers are having to make the distinction between “toy” and “aid”, particularly where a class of well focused children are being distracted by others’ spinning and clicking.
It will be controversial what schools, parents and parents feel about then. Views will differ. I myself have no issue with them where someone feels there is a real need, or as a toy. I’ve tried a few out and they’re a fun “distraction”, but as a valuable learning tool? I’m with the majority that are still unconvinced. Particularly when I see Amazon sellers marketing them as “dramatically improving focus” or “the key to unleashing your creative genius”.
Fidget Toy and Fidget Spinner Deals
As I mentioned earlier these aids/toys vary in quality and price. You can try them out for a few quid, or invest in an all singing, all dancing superstar alloy spinner. As a guide, below I’ve set out three price brackets and qualities for the ones that I’ve seen and tinkered with so far…
- £1.70 Basic Moulded Fidget Spinners inc. p&p from Amazon
- The Original Fidget Cube £10 from The Entertainer
- £26.99 Full Alloy Tri Fidget Spinners with spare bearings from Amazon
For the prices, and difference, I’d stick to the cheaper ones. Particularly as they’ll likely get lost or lose interest in them quickly.
Win a Fidget Spinner
As part of writing this article I had a few to test, review and play with. I’m giving away a Crusader Fidget Finger Spinner with Stainless Steel Bearings. To win, just link up on social media using the entry box below and chime in with a comment on what you think about the fidget craze. Competition closes May 15th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
IT’S GREAT , IF IT GETS THE KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING ITS IDEAL
i dont see any problem with it
Like any craze, it’ll soon run its course
If it keeps them entertained for a while then it has to be a winner.
If it stops children playing on X boxes, play stations etc it’s got my vote
I don’t think they can be used effectively in a mainstream classroom – too much distraction for other children in my opinion
I think it’s a ridiculous fad, but my son’s addicted.
I think it’s daft like all the kid’s fads but at least it’s better than bottle flipping!
OK at home but not at school (unless they are agreed in advance, e.g. a child with SEN)
It’s another trend but the children enjoy them. I admit to owing one as they are very relaxing and fun to use.
I think it wouldn’t be appropriate for school, but see no problem in their own time. Seems like another quick fad to me though.
My son is autistic, so I can really see the benefits of these
Harmless fun
I think they’re great, especially for anxiety
Harmless fun and gets kids off their ipads/iphones etc!
I’m not sure I’d have to do more investigation to fully comment, if they can help kids/adults at all with health or social issues then it’s great and those who need them will continue to use them for a long time&should def not be stopped from using them at work etc. If it is all mearly a craze using cleaverly placed buzzwords, then like others have said it will burn out and kids will move onto something else. The only positive of that being is at least it’s a pretty inexpensive, accessible to just about any bodies budject craze. Dxx
Completely true, as a disposable and potentially cost effective toy/gadget, at least the wallet isn’t hit hard.
Its ok to play with at home, but they have already been banned at my childrens school, as kids refused to stop using them.
Useful for those with special needs and stress but only fun for others
As someone who fidgets with things constantly at the desk – I welcome it!
Do you think they would be of a focusing benefit to you? Or would it merely replace something quiet and simple like a pleasing piece of blutac?
I saw one for the first time a week ago. I expect it will be a fad that is soon forgotten about.
Think they are great for entertaining kids as long as not in class
As will all crazes it will burn and fade away pretty fast but will be fun for the kids whilst it lasts. I have noticed quite a few discarded empty Fidget boxes around the school gates though.
I love them my grandsons love them my husband does
Personally I find it annoying – but my boys like it
Cheap and cheerful it will run its course
i think there fab definintley something my children would love
Not really a fan but my sister loves them so 😀
Hi Jodie, I’ve emailed you and you won!! Many congrats!
I think they are great for adhd and anxiety, tbh i didnt realise they were a craze!
my teenage son is ASD so would love one for him
I think there great for the kids, even im addicted.x loving your blog.x
I can’t quite figure them out yet but my little siblings love them!
Another fad! But at least it won’t cost me as much as Pokémon cards! ( nothing at all if I win one ?)
Very addictive! may run its course but enjoyable for now 🙂
I think they are great for the kids who need them My son has ADHD keeping his hands busy helps keep him sat down I would love to win this for him. Im sure other kids enjoy them but I just hope they don’t ruin it for ones who need things like this. Lovely Thing you are doing
Harmless fun and great for entertaining kids.
Fine if it doesnt distract during studies
It’s one of those crazy summer fads that kids love until the next one comes along!
My daughter is begging me for one. I think it will be a quick faze such as Jojo hair bows have been too.
like many things will soon be a new craze
If it keeps the kids quite im all for them
I haven’t got a problem with them so far x
Anything that doesn’t involve screen time is a win in my eyes
I think its fun my two boys been asking for one
I think if this toy helps releive anxiety it is a good thing!
They’re cool, but maybe not in the classroom!
My son was obsessed with getting one of these, I don’t see a problem with it, and like any craze it won’t last long.
It helps my son so Im all for it
It is harmless fun that will run its course
I hadn’t actually heard of it before but I’d love to have a go xxx
Got some for my 7-year old grandson who has autism but he has shown little interest in them but his younger brother loves them
A few years ago it was the loom band craze and now this. It will soon run its course. If it helps kids focus and relieve their stress then I think ot is a good craze.
I think it will be another craze like loom bands, pogs (remember those) and many other fads before them. I see no problem with them, kids love them and they are fun. I don’t think they have a place in the classroom though.
I am undecided as yet…
Seems like fun!
Looks perfectly innocent!
I thought they were stupid until my teenage brother in law left one at my house and I haven’t stopped spinning it for days! I do my partners head in
It will probably be a fad, anyone remember ker-knockers? Showing my age now 🙂
I’m loving it
It’s actually not too bad – I think they are quite fun and reasonably priced too!
Like most popular crazes it will last for some time, then likely to fade away. Particularly when the next new craze starts up.
I think they are good for children especially if they enjoy playing with them.
They look fun. I’d like one for me!
the kids enjoy them, so why not let them
My youngest daughter has ADHD as do I but she also has extreme impulsiveness, sensory and auditory processing issues. She has her own sensory table at school but I have purchased a fidget cube for her to uses as she eats her hair, tries to eat things that are dangerous for her and even licks inanimate objects (yes the looks we get when out at times are hilarious but we’re used to our Lexi-Rai’s quirks). I have found that the fidget cube helps for short periods of time in stopping her from chewing her hair but I can see why the spinner is deemed more a toy than a device to help and agree with you, however I can see how it could distract ‘some’ children nearing breakdown and give them an outlet rather than reacting badly towards their peers, siblings or others. I think as a short term distraction they can both have their place but as for being a medical aid I would say it does no more to distract them than games consoles, TV’s, CBT and DBT classes and although I haven’t purchased a spinner as of yet it’s not something I would send in to school with my daughter as I feel it would distract other students. The school have a sensory table for my daughter to go to when she is overwhelmed and it already has a laptop, tablet, play dough and other toys to help but she does return to her class once she has calmed. I wouldn’t want to give her anything too small during lesson that would act as a distraction especially something that would affect the other students learning and being able to concentrate on their teacher.
Oh gosh just realised how my opinion is becoming a mini novel lol.
It may be a mini novel but it’s very close to my own view. It sounds like you school is very sensible in their approach to providing for a child with any one of the current labels attached to a child on the vast spectrum. You also speak as someone with a great understanding of how to distance themselves from the situation and look at it objectively. Thanks for your great comment.
Fine for home but not school
I like the fact it is novel. We all have our childhood memories of toys that were a craze in school and now our kids will have theirs.
My niece enjoys them but like all crazes give it a couple of months and it will all be over….remember loom bands? lol
I think they are fun
Another fad that will leave lasting imprint
My daughter has Asperger’s and severe anxiety and these really help her when she is in a stressful situation. She is allowed ‘coping mechanisms and tools’ within school so is able to take her Fidget Spinner into school, which she keeps in her blazer pocket and she puts her hand inside her pocket and uses the spinner in a concealed manner. I don’t really agree with children using them in classrooms just because they are a fad as it takes away from the purpose it was designed for. By all means play with them at home or out of school, but not within the school premises.
I think it’s just one of those things that everyone will want to try and will be a big thing for a bit then there’ll be something new come along. Regardless of my less than enthusiastic view, my daughter is desperate to get her hands on one so please count me in! 🙂
Great fun and after all people will always fidget with something be it loose change in their pocket, hair etc so why not? 🙂
money profits time
this be great for my 11 year old with adhd
I don’t really have an opinion to be honest! I didn’t know they existed until the craze hit. My almost five year old son is currently being assessed for autism so I think it would be great for him!
There cheap and cheerful but they look pretty cool. My daughter really wants one x
no idea, haven’t really got involved with it yet. Would give it a go if i win.
I think it’s fine, it’s better than them being glued to iPads all day, it’s really helped with my sons anxiety x
think its just another craze, harmless enough
I have no issues with the craze
Great fun 🙂
I don’t have an issue with them xx
I’d love to try one of these out!
I think the mechanics of the spinners are pretty cool. I agree that kids shouldn’t play with them during instruction time, but there are ways to make play with them more intentional and interactive. My kids and I came up with a Board Game that uses the spinners. I’m sending it in to my son’s classroom as an game option for in door recess days. http://www.namesakedesign.com/2017/05/are-fidget-spinners-driving-you-crazy.html
There’s been a lot of controversy with fidget toys in schools and I don’t see the problem with it if it’s helping students focus and learn.