Are Fidget Spinners Good for Your Brain?
Are Fidget Spinners Good for Your Brain?
Fidget spinners became a sensational trend in 2017, marketed as focus tools for kids and adults alike. But do they really help our brains or are they just a passing fad?
The short answer: it depends. For some people, especially those with attention challenges, a quiet spinner can be a helpful outlet. Others find spinners distracting. Researchers are still sorting out the evidence.
In this article, we dig into the science of fidget spinners, ADHD, focus, anxiety and stress relief – and recommend the best spinner products for different needs.
Fidgeting, Focus and the Brain
It’s important to understand fidgeting before judging the spinner. Many people naturally fidget (tapping a pen, bouncing a foot) when concentrating. Studies show that this kind of self-generated movement can actually help attention. For example, UC Davis researchers found that letting children (and adults) with ADHD fidget improved their performance on cognitive tasks. In other words, giving the body a bit of motion can pump up brain arousal to an optimal level.
However, not all fidget tools work the same way. Simple tactile fidgets (stress balls, putty, silicone rings) keep the hands busy without demanding much visual attention. These are often recommended by occupational therapists. Fidget spinners, by contrast, require you to watch them spin or even do tricks, which can draw the eyes away from schoolwork or lectures. In one survey, therapists noted that spinners “require hand-eye coordination…balancing a moving object really requires keeping an eye on it,” making them less discreet than, say, a squeeze ball.
Do Fidget Spinners Help Focus?
The big question is whether spinners improve focus and cognitive performance. Studies suggest no universal benefit.
l A 2019 experiment with college students found that using a spinner during a memory test impaired performance (on average 11% worse recall).
l Another trial showed that using spinners during learning tasks gave no memory boost – in fact, spinner and even doodling lowered performance, while a stress ball did nothing.
In short, spinners did not magically enhance memory or concentration.
On the other hand, some people report subjective focus benefits. Small studies and reports often say students feel more attentive with a fidget toy. For example, anecdotal surveys and preliminary work with stress balls noted improvements in attitude and attention when kids quietly fidgeted during class. These accounts, combined with therapists’ reports, suggest that the sensory feedback of fidgeting can help the brain maintain calm alertness. The science is still catching up – for now, most controlled studies lean negative or neutral about spinners specifically.
Fidget Spinners and ADHD
A lot of the spinner hype revolves around ADHD. Can spinning actually help a child or adult with ADHD concentrate? The picture is complicated. Research consistently shows that allowing movement helps ADHD; even simple leg bouncing or fidgeting leads to better cognitive performance in ADHD groups. But does a hand spinner substitute effectively?
l Children with ADHD: A 2021 single-case study reported that 2nd-grade ADHD students were more on-task with spinners. Yet a more rigorous classroom trial found the opposite – kids using spinners had worse attention on a classroom task. Experts caution that colorful spinners are often distracting toys rather than therapeutic tools. If a child is young or easily excited, a spinner may become a plaything, not a focus aid.
l Adults with ADHD: For adults, research is scarce. A recent 2025 study found that using a fidget ball did not improve stress or self-regulation during an anxiety task – in fact it seemed to disrupt natural fidgeting benefits. However, occupational anecdote suggests heavy spinners can provide a satisfying tactile stimulus for adults who need a break in meetings or long tasks. Adults often prefer metal spinners because they last longer and feel more “serious.” As one product description notes, a good adult spinner is “heavy enough and spins quietly…smooth, long, and quiet”.
In summary, if your child or you have ADHD, a fidget spinner might help as long as it’s used correctly: quiet model, limited time, and monitored so it doesn’t become another distraction.
Fidget Spinners vs. Stress Balls and Other Fidgets
Many schools now forbid spinners because they can “draw the eyes of the user away from the teacher”. By contrast, a stress ball quietly sits in the hand, offering tactile input without demanding visual attention.
|
Fidget Tool |
Sensory Feedback |
Common Uses |
Classroom Friendliness |
|
Fidget Spinner |
Rotational, visual (3+ min spin) |
Engages hands, tricks (balancing) |
High visual distraction; often banned |
|
Stress Ball / Putty |
Tactile squeezing |
Stress relief, attention aid |
Quiet, recommended by OTs |
|
Fidget Cube/Spinner Rings |
Tactile clicks, movements |
Discreet fidgeting, focus |
Usually quiet, school-friendly |
|
Tactile Bands / Bouncy Bands |
Leg/arm movement |
Reduce restlessness in seats |
Helpful for kids with high energy |
|
Popping Toys (e.g. bubble pop) |
Auditory/tactile |
Anxiety relief, sensory play |
Less studied, but soothing in stress |
Table: Comparison of common fidget tools and their classroom suitability. (Source: Compiled from various studies and expert reports.)
In practice, many educators suggest quiet, subtle fidgets. For focus, the stress ball often wins. In one study, middle-schoolers using stress balls during lessons self-reported better attention and writing performance. Meanwhile, our table shows that spinners demand visual tracking, which is why schools have banned them despite any benefits.
Spinners for Adults, Students, and Work
“Are fidget spinners good for adults?” Many adults learned about spinners from kids or social media. Some adults with ADHD or anxiety find them helpful for evening out jitteriness during work or study. For college students or professionals, a metal spinner can serve as a discreet stress reliever in a lecture or meeting. Heavy-duty models spin longer (some boast 3–5 minutes) and quietly, so you don’t have to look at them constantly.
For example, the Metal Fidget Spinner is a stainless steel adult spinner noted for its heavy weight and 3-5 minute quiet spin. For a sleeker option, the YIJO Metal Fidget Spinner uses ceramic bearings for 3-minute silent spins, making it “no distraction in meetings or classrooms”. These adult spinners can be carried in a pocket and used between tasks.
College students might find spinners helpful during long lectures if they can turn them on only when needed. Still, instructors often frown on visible spinners in class, so be discreet. For home workers, a spinner can replace snacking or email-checking when stuck on a problem.
That said, a 2025 study in adults with ADHD actually found a spinner-like fidget did not improve anxiety or self-control, and might even interrupt helpful natural fidgeting. So adults should treat spinners as a supplement, not a main strategy.
How to Use a Fidget Spinner Effectively
If you decide to use a fidget spinner, follow these guidelines:
l Keep it quiet: In shared spaces, use silent ceramic or shielded bearings. For example, the YIJO Metal Fidget Spinner advertises 3-minute spins at under 20dB. Similarly, the Yogi Silent Spinner comes with soft silicone rings for a snug, silent fit.
l Use it as a backup, not the main focus: Spin it in the background of your work. Don’t watch it every second. The goal is to keep fingers busy while your mind works on something else. Try spinning it for a minute and then put it down to apply your fresh focus.
l Time it out: Aim for short “focus sessions” with the spinner. For example, use it for 3–5 minutes when you feel fidgety or distracted, then set it aside and concentrate for 10–15 minutes. Overdoing it can make the spinner itself the distraction.
l Combine with breaks: If you’re studying or at a desk all day, schedule regular short breaks to stand up and move (walk around, stretch) instead of endlessly spinning. This keeps your optimal arousal up.
Putting It All Together
So, are fidget spinners good for your brain? They can be, in moderation and in the right context. The evidence shows some people (especially those with attention issues) may focus better with a spinner or similar fidget, but others may lose focus due to the visual distraction. Spinners are not a cure-all; they won’t turn on your concentration like magic.
Data Table: Summary of Key Studies on Fidget Spinner Use
|
Study (Year) |
Participants |
Device/Task |
Outcome on Focus/Cognition |
|
3 second-graders with ADHD |
Classroom tasks (spinner vs no spinner) |
On-task behavior ↑ significantly with spinner use. |
|
|
Graziano et al. (2020) |
60 preschoolers (ADHD) |
30-min class with/without spinner |
Attention and rule-following ↓ during spinner use. |
|
58 college students |
Memory task (spinner/doodling vs none) |
Spinner & doodling reduced memory performance (no benefit). |
|
|
8 adults (ADHD vs control) |
Purdue Pegboard fine motor test (spinner vs none) |
Spinner improved fine motor task in ADHD group only. |
|
|
233 elementary students (all) |
Math/listening tasks with/without spinner |
Academic performance detrimental with spinner (all kids). |
Source: Compiled from published studies on fidget spinner us.
How to interpret these studies:
Overall, studies suggest that spinners may help specific individuals in controlled contexts, but are often distracting in classroom learning environments.
If you do try a fidget spinner, follow best practices: pick a quiet, sturdy model, limit use to appropriate times, and monitor whether it genuinely helps focus or calm you. In classrooms, always respect school rules about fidgets. For stress relief, remember that spinners are one tool among many (deep breathing, short walks, or simple stress balls can also help).
Ultimately, the benefit of any fidget toy lies in how you use it. If spinning that little gadget helps you channel energy and stay on task, it’s worth it. If it becomes another source of distraction, it’s better left in the drawer. As one occupational therapy expert put it, fidget items aren’t a fad – “therapists tend to focus more on results than theory. They use what gets results and throw out what doesn’t”.
FAQ
1. Are fidget spinners good for your brain?
Fidget spinner benefits are situational. For some users (especially those who need a small amount of sensory input) a quiet spinner can help maintain arousal and reduce restlessness. Controlled studies are mixed, so treat spinners as one small tool in a broader focus or stress-relief toolkit rather than a guaranteed brain boost.
2. Do fidget spinners help with ADHD?
Research on fidget spinners and ADHD shows inconsistent outcomes: some kids show improved on-task behavior, others become more distracted. Occupational therapists usually recommend stress balls or putty first because they require less visual attention. If you try a spinner for ADHD, pick a quiet, non-flashy model and monitor whether it genuinely improves concentration.
3. Do fidget spinners reduce anxiety, or is it just a placebo?
Many people report that fidget toys help with stress and anxiety because repetitive motion and tactile input are soothing. That subjective relief can be real, even if it’s partly placebo. For clinical anxiety, combine fidget spinner use with proven methods (breathing, CBT, movement) rather than relying on it alone.
4. Fidget spinner vs stress ball — which helps focus more?
If your goal is on-task performance (reading, note-taking, tests), choose a quiet tactile tool. A stress ball or putty lets your hands move without pulling your eyes away from the task; spinners often require visual tracking and are likelier to distract classmates or the user.
5. How do I use a fidget spinner without getting distracted?
Choose a quiet model, limit session length, avoid watching the spinner, and use it only when you genuinely need sensory input.
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MightyEDC is a dedicated team of long-time EDC enthusiasts with years of hands-on experience exploring, collecting, and studying high-quality fidget toys and everyday carry tools. Our passion for material craftsmanship, mechanical design, and brand innovation drives us to continuously research the best products in the EDC world.