BY AMANDA CIANI | PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY | 2025–26 COVER KID DAVID M.
I n 2017, American teachers had a new classroom enemy: the fidget spin- ner. Almost every homeroom had an abundance of students with pockets full of fidget spinners galore. Kids clacked them on their desks, flung them at their peers, traded them at lunch, and cried when they lost their favorite fidget. Some schools even went on to place bans on the popular sensory toy. But eventually, the cool factor of the fidget spinner faded, and the youth moved onto the next big craze.
Did fidget spinners get an unfair, bad rap? Probably so. But consider this: These sensory tools gained popularity as toys because when they were used as intended, they worked! Merriam-Webster defines the noun of fidget as, “something (such as a toy) that is designed to be held and manipulated (as to decrease stress and anxiety).” It may be suggested, however, that fidgets are so much more than just a toy, and they are truly so much more than just a fad. Let’s dig into the world of fidgets, how they work, who they
benefit, and also consider reintroducing them to the classroom (and boardroom, and beyond). A FIDGET FOR EVERYONE Believe it or not, reader, you have probably fidgeted in your lifetime. Whether twirling your hair, clicking a pen, or bouncing a knee, fidgeting helps humans manage stressful moments and can even increase focus. There are SO many types of fidget tools on the mar- ket, and available to 3D print, in 2026.
36 APRIL 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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