Drumming your fingers or clicking your pen during a meeting that’s run long. Jiggling your leg or wrapping your hair around a finger while listening to the radio or watching TV.
These small, often subtle repetitive movements are all examples of fidgeting. While fidgeting is frequently associated with the younger set — like kids in a classroom — the practice is common among adults and considered perfectly healthy. What’s more, in contrast to its popular depiction as a purposeless habit, fidgeting is surprisingly useful, and its benefits are more versatile than many may realize.
“[Fidgeting] can energize us, kind of like [how] walking can boost energy [and] get blood flowing,” therapist David Ibrahim explained. Ibrahim specializes in adult ADHD, autism and trauma, among other matters, and runs the Los Angeles-based trauma therapy clinic Glendale Counseling Services.
It can also be a helpful calming outlet, Ibrahim added, especially for folks who are neurodivergent, like those with autism or ADHD. Studies show that fidgeting can help relax the body and support focus and attention, he noted.
And for those living with anxiety or trauma, emotions may express themselves somatically and “bubble up as a form of fidgeting [and] nervous energy,” Ibrahim wrote.
To support fidgeting in a fun way, fidget toys can be quite helpful — so much so that Ibrahim explained he often provides them to patients, plus makes use of them himself. Many of today’s fidget toys are also impressively discreet, which may be appealing to those in a work setting or who otherwise prefer low-profile fidgeting.
If you enjoy fidgeting, don’t let others prevent you from using it as a tool to care for yourself, Ibrahim emphasized. Your self-care is too important — and how you self-regulate is your own private business. “Be yourself.”
We’ve selected some of the most popular adult fidget toys on the Internet, including the subtle, the viral and the just plain fun. Read on for our favorite picks, plus more from Ibrahim.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Beaded fidget rings
Therapist David Ibrahim explained that he often provides adult patients with fidget toys. “Some of the toys they’re making today are discreet and feel texturally satisfying,” he noted.
We think fidget rings, like these beaded options, are excellent for low-profile yet satisfying fidgeting. Each version’s front beads spin when engaged, so you can make use of the tool in a low-key way.
The ring pictured on the left features bright, opaque beads for a mod look. It’s available in three color combinations, two materials and ring sizes 5-12.
The boho-style rings pictured on the right are Etsy bestsellers and come in pack of three. These beads are translucent with a tiny bit of sparkle; you can choose between six band colors and ring sizes 2-11.
Amazon
A textured braided ring
With a formidable braided design and a sturdy stainless steel composition, we think this spinning fidget ring will serve its purpose well. Its center rotates with the swipe of a finger, so you can maneuver it discreetly while in a conversation or at work.
It’s available in multiple colors, designs and in packs of two. It comes in sizes 6-14.
Note: Clip the 10% off coupon for an additional discount at checkout. You can also save 5% when you buy two.
Amazon
A tiny desktop Zen garden kit
We think this miniature Zen garden would make a fun, satisfying fidget tool. You can use the included rake (or fingers or a pen) to weave through the garden’s white sand. The kit also comes with multicolored salt rocks and an air plant.
In addition to the pictured round style, it’s available as a rectangle, triangle or hexagon.
Amazon
Or a larger desktop Zen garden
This deluxe Zen garden option is slightly larger but still appropriate for the office, measuring 11 inches long, 8 inches wide and an inch tall.
It comes with a mini cherry blossom trees, a bridge, gate and more, plus six bamboo rakes.
Amazon
A push-pop fidget toy
These push-pop fidgets are designed with both adults and kids in mind. To use them, press on the toy’s “bubbles.” Each pressed bubble will produce a slight “popping” sensation you can feel and hear. I use these myself sometimes to help stay focused or quell anxiety.
You can grab them in a highly-rated rainbow option or in more subtle solid colors, like this green version (available in a number of hues).
Note: Clip the coupons on both product pages for an additional discount at checkout.
Amazon
A textured rainbow ring with 3,500 5-star ratings
This vivid spinning fidget ring sports a sandblasted exterior that rotates when engaged (and whose enhanced texture will feel satisfying at your fingertips).
Made of titanium stainless steel, it’s available in many styles, colors and pack sizes, and in ring sizes 6-12.
Etsy
A bestselling dragon-inspired ring
Designed to resemble dragon skin, this cool yet discreet rotating fidget ring is made out of stainless steel. It comes in three colors and in ring sizes 6-12.
Amazon
Cute options, like pencil top erasers
“Just looking at [fidget toys] can be soothing for some people,” Ibrahim noted. For example, “An item like a soft rubber figurine that you can fit on a pencil top visually can be appealing and look cute.”
Based off Ibrahim’s suggestion, we selected these cute animal-themed pencil topper erasers from Mr. Pen. Featuring cats, unicorns, chickens, mermaid tails and more, they’re a popular pick on Amazon, with over 3,000 5-star ratings.
They’re come in a pack of 22, so you can gift some to friends, as well as in two other styles and pack sizes.
Amazon
Or some tiny squishy animals
I’m a big fan of squishy “mochi” toys; I keep several on my desk while I work. They make me smile whenever I glance at them, and I love squeezing and stretching them — their tummies are simple sensory bliss. They get a lot of compliments, too.
This option includes 20 mini squishy animals, including bunnies, a starfish (!), cats and cat paws, a cloud and even a snail. They have over 4,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.
Sweetwater
A soothing mini drum for your desktop
Recommended by a fellow HuffPost writer who says he “mindlessly tap[s] on it about 1,000 times a day,” this tiny steel drum is a great option for fidgeting at your desk. It truly is miniature, measuring 5.5 inches, and comes with two soft rubber mallets for drumming. Plus, you’ll appreciate that it arrives pre-tuned.
Amazon
A pack of viral fidget spinners
If you’re curious about fidget tools, you can’t go wrong with a fidget spinner. These eponymous toys have gone viral several times over; to use them, hold the object’s center and twirl one of its prongs. It promises to be as satisfying as it is fun.
We think this multicolored pack of five is a good option, with nearly 6,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.
Mint & Liliy
An elegant, low-profile fidget ring
This chic option is carefully designed with miniature beads that you can spin at will. It’s available in silver and gold options.
Note: Buy one and get a second for 50% off for a limited time; the discount will be applied in your cart.
Etsy
An elegant option for jewel lovers
The gemstone center of this stylish fidget ring from Etsy is rotatable, making for a satisfying and subtle fidget tool.
You can choose between moissanite and cubic zirconium, four metals and ring sizes 6-12.
Amazon
A snake-inspired fidget ring
Amazon
Some bestselling stretchy noodle toys
This six-pack of stretchy “noodles” will make for fun fidgeting at your desk, on your couch watching TV and more. Folks really do love them — the stretch strings have earned over 16,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.
They come in multiple other styles, including textured, glitter and glow options and more, as well as in packs of 10 and 12.
Amazon
A bike chain-inspired fidget toy
You can flip this this chain and ring toy from Tom’s Fidgets into multiple configurations in your pocket or your palm. It’s designed to be extra quiet and sports nearly 5,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. It comes in four colors and in packs of one or two.
Etsy
Another textured ring option
Etsy
A rotating ring for lovers of the cosmos
Amazon
Some textured sensory strips
These tactile fidget strips can adhere to phone cases, laptops, notebooks, ID badges and more, making them a great option for subtle usage and easy access. (I have some on my laptop and phone case myself.) They’re available in 13 styles, including animal, sky and gradient designs and more.
This set includes a pack of 36, so you can share with loved ones.
Amazon
Some squishy sensory fidget balls
Designed for use by adults and youth, these fun multicolored fidget balls aren’t the stress balls of your childhood. They’re filled with tiny squishy balls for an extra satisfying sensory squeeze, and are made with a thick rubber outer layer to ensure durability during squishing, stretching and squeezing.
They come in a pack of 18.
Note: Clip the 22% off coupon for an extra discount at checkout.
Amazon
Or, spiky squishy rollers
These sensory spiky rollers, nicknamed hedgehog rollers, provide tactical stimulation (but don’t hurt). Compact and discreet, they’re free from BPA, phthalates and latex, and come in multicolored packs of four and five.
