I’ve never been the best at staying ahead of trends. It took me ages to grab a pair of those buttery leggings, and I didn’t even realize that bottle flipping was a thing until I had yelled at my kids about it countless times, fearing a water spill. And honestly, I still don’t get why Orbeez are appealing.
Typically, I learn about the newest crazes from other parents voicing their frustrations on social media. I often find out about these phenomena long after they’ve reached peak annoyance for families everywhere. So, it was no shock when I heard about fidget spinners just last week after several parents shared their thoughts online, a neighbor’s child spun one in the car, and my son insisted he needed one—despite the fact that fidget spinners have actually been around for quite some time.
What Are Fidget Spinners?
In case you’re as out of the loop as I am, allow me to break it down for you. (Do people still say “break it down”?) Fidget spinners aren’t just a passing trend; they’ve been utilized as sensory tools for children with autism, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD for years. Similar to stress balls, these toys give restless hands (and restless minds) something to occupy themselves and help children focus. They do exactly what their name suggests—they spin. Simple as that. You hold the disc and give it a whirl, and somehow, it works wonders. Trust me.
Not Just for Kids
They’re not just for kids, either. Forbes recently highlighted the popularity of fidget spinners among adults. Instead of nervously tapping your pen or biting your nails, you can opt for a sleek fidget spinner. However, while kids’ spinners cost around $10 to $20, those aimed at adults can set you back a few hundred dollars.
Mental health professionals have long endorsed similar toys. Surprisingly, the Slinky is one of the earliest fidget tools, as noted by Dr. Alex Finch. Who knew? Even though fidget spinners and their cousins aren’t exactly new, they’ve surged in popularity lately. The Fidget Cube, often touted as the luxury version of a fidget spinner, became the ninth-most funded project on Kickstarter, raising nearly $6.5 million. Forbes even labeled fidget spinners as the “must-have office toy for adults” in 2017.
My Experience with Fidget Spinners
It seems fidget spinners have been a well-kept secret until recently. Intrigued by the buzz, I ordered one from Amazon to see if it could help my older son focus. He’s neurotypical but sometimes struggles with concentration and staying still. He tends to fidget and move around constantly, opting to stand at a table instead of sitting at a desk, like most of his classmates. So, I thought a fidget spinner might be worth a shot.
When the spinner arrived, my son was at school, so I decided to test it myself (see what I did there?). Honestly, there’s something oddly satisfying about it. There’s no special technique involved; it’s just a spinning disk, but I found it somewhat addictive and calming. For a brief moment, my mind quieted, and I felt less anxious overall.
But that peace was short-lived. Once my son got his hands on the fidget spinner, chaos ensued. Within hours, I had mediated 15 arguments with his brother over whose turn it was and threatened to confiscate it 97 times. He spins it everywhere—at the dinner table, in public, even at home. While it may help him focus and calm down, it’s driving me absolutely crazy.
Frustrations of Parents and Teachers
I’m not alone in my annoyance. Many parents and teachers are equally frustrated. The sudden popularity of fidget spinners means they’re being used as mere toys by kids who don’t necessarily need them for mental health reasons (like my son). This can lead to even more distractions in classrooms. Parents find them irritating because, let’s face it, anything done repetitively can become grating—whether it’s bottle flipping, leg shaking, or fidget spinning.
As for whether the fidget spinner helps my son concentrate while reading or doing homework, the jury is still out. However, one thing is clear: I need to get my own spinner to manage the distraction my son’s has caused.
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Conclusion
In summary, fidget spinners have transitioned from specialized sensory tools to a widespread fad that has parents feeling a mix of curiosity and frustration. While they can serve a purpose for some children, their overuse in classrooms and homes can lead to distraction and annoyance.