From classrooms to toy shops, fidget toys are a common sight these days. And it’s easy to see why. These tiny hand-held tools are a convenient way for children to regulate their emotions and improve their focus and concentration. Stretchy fidget toys provide a unique sensation, letting kids twist, pull, squeeze and stretch with ease.

For children with conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety and OCD, fidget toys help to manage difficult emotions and teach essential skills in areas they may struggle with. Since the ‘fidget spinner’ craze of several years ago, fidgets have only continued to grow in popularity. These days the number of different fidget toys on the market is almost endless, ranging from sensory educational toys to toys of the squishy and stretchy varieties.

Sister Sensory is Australia’s leading provider of sensory toys online, providing fidget toys for children of all ages and educational needs and even adults as well. This is our guide to stretchy fidget toys and why these types of fidgets are both a lot of fun to play with and helpful for neurodivergent children.

The benefits of fidget toys

 Everybody fidgets, but neurodivergent children often exhibit more frequent and noticeable movements. Fidgeting can help children with ADHD stay on a difficult task when they’re struggling to concentrate, or help kids with processing challenges manage their sensory input. Playing with fidget toys has both well-known benefits for neurodivergent kids and a few lesser-known ones. Some examples include:

• They can relieve anxiety by providing an outlet for nervous energy.
• They can improve educational results by helping children to focus more effectively.
• They can help improve memory and information retention.
• Fidgeting is a self-soothing behaviour that can be beneficial for PTSD sufferers.
• Fidgeting with a toy can improve skills like hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which neurodivergent children frequently struggle with.
• They provide an inner sense of calm and can help children prevent or manage meltdowns.

Types of stretchy fidget toys

 Stretchy toys help provide a gentle and soothing fidgeting sensation for busy hands. The most common types of stretchy fidget toys on the market include:

Stretchy strings/ noodles

These are long stretchy strings, available in various colours and textures and made from a rubbery material. They’re easy and fun to pull, stretch, twist and twirl.

Stretchy stress balls

The stress ball is a classic fidget toy, and stretchy stress release balls put a pliable new spin on this timeless classic for kids that like to stretch as well as squeeze.

Stretchy creatures

From dinosaurs to cats, unicorns to grubs, kids can choose to stretch their favourite animal when they pick out a stretchy toy. Animal designs (as well as other unique variations like fruits) put a fresh spin on classic stretchy toys.

Stretchy bracelets

The classic bracelet design is a timeless (and very portable) approach to fidget toys, and a bracelet you can stretch without snapping is a handy source of sensory stimulation.

Choosing the right stretchy fidget

 Shopping for stretchy fidget toys is about considering your child’s personal taste and unique needs – or your own, if the fidget is for you! Some tips for stretchy fidget shopping include:

Sensory needs and tactile preferences

Some children might prefer stretching smooth material while others would benefit more from the feeling of some texture. Bright colours and visual patterns are often appealing but may also become a distraction.

Durability

If you have an older child or one that’s a forceful fidgeter, you want a toy that’s tough enough to handle some rough treatment.

Cost

While quality is the most important factor, one of the great things about squishy fidget toys is you can find excellent quality at affordable prices.

Variety

You child’s favourite fidget might change depending on their mood. If that’s the case, there’s no harm in investing in a range of different stretchy toys so they can mix it up.

Find the right stretchy fidget toy at Sister Sensory

 Sister Sensory has a wide selection of stretchy fidget toys in all kinds of vibrant colours and creative styles: stretchy dinosaurs, finger flinger critters, mouldable unicorns, stretch centipedes. These fun fidgets are available at affordable prices, fit right into children’s pockets and are easy to carry anywhere.

A registered NDIS provider, Sister Sensory has an ever-expanding range of online sensory toys for children and adults with autism, ADHD, anxiety and other conditions. We have over 2000 products with new toys arriving every week, hand-picked by our experienced team for the benefits they provide to children. This includes sensory educational toysdesigned to help children thrive in the classroom and other learning environments.

Need some help finding the right fidget toy for the children in your care? Call Sister Sensory on 0401 689 313, e-mail info@sistersensory.com.au or pay a visit to Factory 4, 4 Brooke Court Melton, Vic, 3337.