If you’ve ever found yourself clicking a pen, tapping your foot, or needing “something to do with your hands” when you’re stressed, you’re not alone. The right fidget toys for anxiety can offer a simple, practical way to release nervous energy, stay grounded, and feel more in control in everyday moments. In this guide, we’ll cover what makes the best fidget toys for anxiety, how to choose the right style for your needs, and our top picks from the Spiffy shop — including therapy putty, the Happy Little Squish Ball, the ASMR Squish Ball, and worry stones.
Looking for a full overview of fidgets — including types, benefits, and recommendations for different ages? Start with our content hub: Fidget Toys: Benefits, Types, and the Best Fidget Toys for Kids and Adults.
Why fidget toys can help with anxiety
Anxiety isn’t just “in your head” — it can show up as restlessness, tension, racing thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed. Fidget toys can help by providing:
- A physical outlet for nervous energy (squeezing, rolling, twisting, pressing)
- Grounding sensory input that draws attention to the present moment
- A steady rhythm that can feel soothing during stress spikes
- A focus anchor during stressful tasks (meetings, schoolwork, travel, waiting rooms)
Everyone’s nervous system is different, so the “best” fidget for anxiety depends on the kind of sensory input you find calming. Some people relax most with soft resistance (squish/putty), others prefer repetitive motion (rolling stones), and others want clicky feedback (buttons/switches).
What makes the best fidget toys for anxiety?
When you’re choosing fidget toys for anxiety, it helps to look beyond what’s trendy and focus on what will actually work in real life. Here are the features that matter most:
- Comforting sensory feel: soft, smooth, textured, or resistance-based — whichever feels calming to you
- Appropriate noise level: some people love clicky feedback; others need silent fidgets for school or work
- Portability: pocket-sized is ideal for on-the-go anxiety support
- Durability: anxiety fidgeting can be intense — choose something that holds up to repeated squeezing or rolling
- Ease of use: the best fidgets are intuitive and soothing within seconds
If you’re shopping for fidget toys for kids, also consider age guidance and whether the toy is safe for the child’s stage (for example, younger children may need larger pieces and simpler designs).
Top picks from Spiffy: best fidget toys for anxiety
Below are four anxiety-friendly fidgets from our shop, each offering a different style of calming sensory input. You can use these as a starter set approach: one “squeeze” option, one “tactile sound” option, and one “grounding” option — then refine based on what you enjoy most.
1) Therapy Putty: calming resistance + slow, grounding movement
Therapy putty is a classic choice when anxiety shows up as tension in the body. The slow squeeze-and-release movement gives you steady resistance, which many people find grounding. It’s also great for keeping hands engaged during anxious moments without needing fast motion or noise.
Why it’s one of the best fidget toys for anxiety:
- Soothing, repetitive movement that can calm a busy mind
- Resistance-based input can feel stabilising and “anchoring”
- Easy to use during TV, studying, work calls, or travel
2) Happy Little Squish Ball: soft squeeze for quick stress relief
Sometimes anxiety needs a fast, simple outlet — and that’s where a squish ball shines. The Scrunchems Happy Little Squish Ball is cheerful, tactile, and easy to reach for when you feel stress building. It’s ideal for quick “micro-calming” moments: a few squeezes can help take the edge off.
Why it works well for anxiety:
- Instant tactile feedback (squeeze = release tension)
- Portable and easy to keep in a pocket or bag
- Great for kids and adults who prefer soft sensory input
3) ASMR Squish Ball: sensory texture + satisfying sound
If your anxiety responds well to sensory “brain-soothing” experiences, the Scrunchems ASMR Squish Ball is a great pick. It’s filled with beads that create a unique feel and gentle sound as you squeeze — offering both tactile and audio feedback. Some people find this especially calming because it gives your brain more to latch onto, helping interrupt spiralling thoughts.
Why it’s one of the best fidget toys for anxiety:
- Multi-sensory input can feel deeply grounding
- Great for busy minds that need stronger sensory engagement
- Comforting to squeeze during anxious waiting or travel
4) Worry Stones: discreet, pocket-friendly grounding for daily anxiety
Worry stones are one of the most underrated anxiety tools because they’re so simple — and so practical. You can rub or roll them between your fingers without anyone noticing, making them ideal fidget toys for adults at work or in social situations. The textured surfaces add sensory detail that encourages steady, repetitive movement.
Why worry stones are great for anxiety:
- Discreet and quiet (excellent for school, office, commuting)
- Encourages slow, repetitive movement that supports grounding
- Easy to keep with you all day
How to choose the right anxiety fidget for you (or your child)
Choosing the best fidget toys for anxiety gets easier when you match the fidget to the situation and sensory preference:
- If anxiety feels like tension: go for resistance-based fidgets like therapy putty.
- If anxiety feels like restlessness: try a squeeze option like the Happy Little Squish Ball.
- If anxiety includes racing thoughts: a multi-sensory option like the ASMR Squish Ball can help “capture” attention.
- If you need discreet calm in public: choose worry stones for silent, subtle grounding.
For kids: look for simple, satisfying sensory input (squish, smooth rub, gentle textures), and consider whether the fidget will be used at school. Many children do best with a quiet option they can use without drawing attention.
For adults: discreet, pocket-sized fidgets (worry stones) or desk-friendly tools (putty, squish balls) tend to be the most consistent winners.
Build a simple “anxiety fidget routine” that actually helps
Fidgets work best when you use them intentionally — not just when anxiety is already at 100%. Try one of these simple routines:
- Pre-emptive calm (before stress): 60 seconds of therapy putty squeezing before a meeting, school run, or travel.
- In-the-moment grounding (during anxiety): rub worry stones slowly while taking 5 deep breaths.
- Reset breaks (after stress): 2–3 minutes with an ASMR squish ball to help your nervous system settle.
If you’re building a small kit, it can help to have one “quiet” fidget (worry stones), one “squeeze” fidget (happy squish ball), and one “deep sensory” fidget (therapy putty or ASMR squish ball), then refine from there.
Want to explore more options? Browse our full range of calming tools here: Fidget Toys and Sensory Toys.
FAQ: Best fidget toys for anxiety
What are the best fidget toys for anxiety?
The best fidget toys for anxiety are the ones that feel calming to your nervous system. Many people find resistance-based options like therapy putty, soft squeeze toys like the Happy Little Squish Ball, multi-sensory fidgets like the ASMR Squish Ball, and discreet tools like worry stones especially helpful.
Are fidget toys good for anxiety and panic?
Fidget toys can help manage anxious feelings by providing grounding sensory input and a safe outlet for nervous energy. They aren’t a replacement for professional support, but they can be a helpful tool as part of a broader coping toolkit.
Which fidget toy is best for adults with anxiety?
Many adults prefer discreet, quiet options like worry stones for public settings, and desk-friendly options like therapy putty or a squish ball for stress relief at home or work.
Which fidget toys are best for kids with anxiety?
For kids, choose safe, age-appropriate fidgets that offer clear sensory feedback. Soft squeeze toys like the Happy Little Squish Ball are simple and satisfying, while putty can be calming with supervision and appropriate use.
Do worry stones actually work for anxiety?
Many people find worry stones helpful because rubbing a smooth or textured surface encourages slow, repetitive movement — a classic grounding technique that can ease anxious restlessness.
Next step: If you want a broader overview of fidget categories, benefits, and how to choose the right style for different ages, head back to our content hub: Fidget Toys: Benefits, Types, and the Best Fidget Toys for Kids and Adults.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-red-t-shirt-looking-at-her-laptop-3755761/