It's like unlimited bubble wrap for kids and adults.
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Whether you bite your nails or twirl your hair, fiddling is an all too familiar impulse to distract from our inner monologue. The polarizing fidget spinner tapped into that idea, showing that both kids and adults alike enjoy tangible toys to transfer their energy. Now, there is a new it-toy to remedy restlessness. Push pop fidget toys deliver knuckle-cracking sounds in soft, silicone molds, helping to soothe stress and anxiety one pop at a time.
The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests the latest and greatest when it comes to the best toys for kids and the best gift for kids of all ages. Our Lab experts road tested pop fidget toys from best-selling brands firsthand to find the top ones based on reviews and fun factor. Here are the best pop fidget toys of 2024:
After our top-rated picks, we interview experts to gather more information on this popular toy category. If you want to gift sensory toys for an upcoming holiday, check out our guides to the best non-candy halloween treats and stocking stuffers for toddlers, both of which include pop fidget toys and more!
With its super soft silicone, durable circular base and tie-dye design, the original pop fidget toy offers everything you need to pop to your heart's content.
This pack includes a classic circular shape and a square design at the price of one fidget toy. Use either as a coaster, fetch toy and beyond, then toss both inside the dishwasher for an easy clean.
From a rainbow to a pineapple, this colorful set of four ensures you'll never have to go without. The Amazon's Choice set has a 4.8-star rating with shoppers calling it a "wonderful gift" that is "durable and cute."
400 pops deck out this extra-large bubble board. The infinite popping grid invites healthy competition with a partner. One game variant: the player to press down the last bubble in a row loses. The entertainment is endless.
Stress relief rests at arm's length thanks to this pop fidget wristband. The tie-dyed pattern makes the bracelet a fun accessory, while providing a calming distraction whenever you need it. Kids, teens and adults alike will want to wear this bracelet.
Looking for a unique gift for the five-year-old? This 2-in-1 toy provides stress relief and entertaining play thanks to three or four pops per doll. Plus, make the doll's outfit pop, twist, pull or spin and collect all 18 dolls!
If you have a preschooler, our parenting experts love this trendy mesh toy that encourages little ones to learn about emotions. The set of five (angry, anxious, silly, happy and sad) is also meant to help develop fine motor skills and critical thinking. Kiddos can pop and stack 'em up!
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This mold offers the same satisfying pops as other fidget toys but in the shape of a much-adored Disney character. Toss it in a goodie bag or use it as a stocking stuffer!
When slumber isn't immediate at bedtime, this fluorescent fidget toy may be helpful. It emits a dim, soothing glow in the darkness.
Ease stress on the go. This miniature grid makes a great road trip companion or a backpack accessory for constantly fidgety hands.
Pop fidget toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes but most typically are circular silicone molds that are both low maintenance to clean, easy to carry and satisfyingly fun. They offer a mindless activity that helps reduce anxiety in a similar way to other fidget toys, says toy expert, Amanda Gummer, Ph.D. "Children with autism find the repetitive action reassuring and calming," she adds. "They can be a great way for any child to calm down or get rid of those wriggles."
A fascination for fidget toys certainly spun into the mainstream in recent years, but people have long used sensory gadgets to help children with attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism concentrate. Some occupational therapists use pop fidget toys for kids with sensory needs who seek input on their fingers to transition into a calm, alert state.
Rigel Lagumbay, OTRL, an occupational therapist in New York, gives her pediatric patients pop fidget toys to increase their attention span and focus for activities. "I use them as a pre-activity before I give my patients their assigned tasks," she says. But these fun toys aren't just for kids who are nervous or have high anxiety levels: "Anyone (kids and adults alike) can use pop fidget toys as a stress reliever."
As the first to claim the original pop fidget toy title, Chuckle & Roar's Pop It! landed in our top recommended fidget toys that soothe anxiety. Its popularity has encouraged a bout of iterations from other brands. Though you can't go wrong with most, ideally, Gunner recommends buying from a reputable company or finding one with a toy safety symbol such as the Kitemark or the Lion Mark, which ensures each toy meets high quality and safety standards.
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
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