Ask any child psychologist, and they’ll tell you that fidgeting and sensory toys are nothing new. Think back to the pencil you’d tap on your school desk, playing with the zipper on your stationery bag, or whatever else was within reach. It’s only now that research and new insights have made the concept more mainstream and commercial.
But how did something initially meant for neurodivergent kids make it into classrooms and offices worldwide? In this article, a child psychologist explains the rise in popularity, how a sensory toy can support mental health and how it’s become a loved staple in modern society’s self-care routines.
The Sensory Toy Trend According to the Numbers.
The stim and sensory toy market is absolutely dominating the toy industry. Currently, at an already staggering value of roughly $701 million in 2026, it is expected to grow to more than $1 billion within the next 4 years! [1] Internet searches for specific toys such as “NeeDoh” or “Squishies” have also increased by over 1000%, resulting in millions of daily searches.
Sensory toys can also regularly be found in the bestseller lists of online retail platforms. [2] And TikTok now has trending hashtags such as #fidgettoys and #fidgetsensory with videos racking up millions of views.
It’s very clear that the sensory toy is no longer a niche neurodivergent aid, and with at least 1 in 7 office workers sitting with a fidget toy or something similar on their desk [3], it’s also crossed the divide as “just another children’s toy.” As you can imagine, our corporate psychologists are also well aware of this phenomenon.
What Constitutes a Sensory Toy?
A sensory toy is a toy that’s designed to stimulate the senses (whether visual, tactile, etc.) and have a soothing effect. This way, instead of just playing with a toy in the traditional sense, a sensory toy can help with self-regulation and have a calming effect on an overactive nervous system. Some of the most common sensory toys of today include:
- Stress balls
- Squeezy toys
- Slime
- Gel toys
- Fidget cubes
- Clickers
- Kinetic Sand
The Psychology Behind Sensory Toys: A Child Psychologist Explains.
A sensory toy can benefit us in many ways, and there are many reasons why they can be so psychologically soothing. This includes:
It’s a simple and controllable task.
Our world is complex with many things that are completely out of our control. Fidgeting with something we are in control of and that has a very basic and immediate cause and effect can be psychologically soothing. It provides the nervous system with a sense of control and safety that’s often missing in the world around us.
You reap the physical rewards of stress relief.
Stress relief isn’t just a feeling; it’s a physical change in the body. This can include cortisol levels skyrocketing and a racing heartbeat. In a recent study, the stress relief experienced while fidgeting with a sensory toy such as a squishy directly translates to physical changes taking place: [4]
- Cortisol levels (the stress hormone) decrease.
- The parasympathetic nervous system (related to digestion) is activated.
- Feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin are released.
- The rhythmic squeezing has even proven to deepen breathing and help slow down heart rates.
It can increase focus.
Many struggle with staying focused. Whether you have Autism, ADHD, just had a late night, or are in the midst of a high-stress period of your life, it can be difficult to retain your focus and attention. Sensory toys have been proven to improve focus and attention span during tasks that require sustained concentration [4]. So, why not give it a go next time you’re in a meeting, have to study, or review that Q2 report?
Why Sensory Children’s Toys Have Become Popular Among Adults: A Child Psychologist Explains.
There have been a few significant cultural and social changes that have turned sensory toys for children into legitimate tools for mental wellness among adults. This includes the following:
A better understanding of neurodiversity.
Research and more public conversation regarding neurodiversity have resulted in a better understanding of the various spectrums, especially conditions such as ADHD and Autism. It has also helped us understand that it’s not just children who can get diagnosed, since many adults now find that they’ve fallen through the cracks (similar to previous generations with dyslexia).
So neurodiversity has become a more normalised concept, whether you’re a child or an adult, and any aids or tools such as sensory toys have also become more acceptable.
The rise of self-care as a concept.
Not too long ago, the idea of self-care was still limited to a bubble bath after a long day. Today, with much deeper insight into general mental well-being and also how it impacts physical health, we place a lot more emphasis on self-care. And in a world where you can now pick and choose between luxury wellness retreats and expensive breathwork and meditation workshops, a €5 sensory toy is a very affordable daily self-care option.
We’ve become more aware of our senses.
There’s a lot to say about the psychological effects of social media, especially as a child psychologist. However, it’s undoubtedly played a major role in making us aware of our senses.
Listening to ASMR and watching oddly satisfying videos was essentially the reintroduction to a world of sensory soothing. The increased popularity of these videos, making it a mainstream cultural phenomenon, made sensory tools and aids like fidget toys much more acceptable – even among adults.
When and Where Can Sensory Toys Be Used?
The best thing about sensory toys is that they can be used in a myriad of ways and places, such as:
- At work (during intense meetings, reading, etc.).
- At school (during lectures, reading, studying, etc.).
- During travel (as long as you’re not the one driving the train, bus, car, etc.).
- During high-pressure periods (when anxiety and stress levels spike, they’re a good way of taking a break and regulating).
- As part of meditation (meditation and sensory toys both help with focus and attention, so it’s a naturally helpful combination).
- As part of therapy (whether during talk therapy as an adult or play therapy with a child psychologist as a kid, sensory toys can be helpful tools in maintaining focus and bringing psychological relief).
Not All Sensory Toys are the Same: Tips and Advice From a Child Psychologist
Not all sensory toys will have the same results, and not all sensory toys are of the same quality. It’s very important to do your research beforehand as well as try a few different types to see what suits you best. Here’s what to remember:
Different sensations often yield different results.
A squishy toy that you can squeeze and slowly watch return to its normal form will often have a calm and soothing effect, while clickers will work better for those looking for stimulation and staying focused and alert. Slime and other stretchy toys often satisfy the need for those looking for a bit of resistance during sensory play.
That’s why it’s important to keep the goal in mind. For example, do you want to calm down or become more focused? Do you prefer soft, smooth surfaces or do you need something firm and resistant? Must it be a quiet sensory toy, or do you also want something that makes some type of sound?
You can ask yourself these questions when purchasing a sensory toy as well as when picking a toy from your existing collection to use.
A sensory toy is a helpful aid, not a magic cure.
A sensory toy can bring relief, have a soothing effect, and help you focus. It cannot cure Autism, make all your ADHD symptoms disappear or remove all stress from your life. Therefore, a sensory toy must be just one of the tools in your toolkit for managing conditions and stressful situations and navigating daily life.
So, depending on your specific needs and requirements, a sensory toy can be a helpful add-on along with medication, therapy, and other coping aids and strategies.
A sensory toy is a helpful aid, not a crutch.
You will also want to manage your sensory toy use, so the fidgeting doesn’t become another problem rather than a solution. As we already touched on, a sensory toy can’t be the only thing one relies on to deal with conditions and stress. Similarly, you don’t want to overuse sensory toys so that the brain eventually associates peace and calm with only that sensory toy.
Check the quality.
Recently, there’s been quite a stir among sensory toy enthusiasts when popular toys were suddenly recalled due to serious safety concerns.
This includes the Orb Funkee Squeeze toy in the US, where asbestos was detected [5], and the Squeezy Dumplings in the UK, found to contain hazardous chemicals such as Benzene. If you want to fidget with something, ensure that it’s safe and made by a reputable manufacturer you can trust.
Sensory Toys: Small Objects, Big Impact.
It’s clear that these small objects have made a big impact on health and wellness. And these helpful aids have gone from being just recommendations by a child psychologist to a staple for all in their everyday life. Sensory toys are affordable, can be used by everyone practically anywhere, and have clinically proven benefits to both your mental and physical health.
If you’d like to find out more about sensory toys and finding the right fit for you, would like to speak to a child psychologist, or would like to be tested for ADHD and other conditions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You are welcome to send an email to info@personalonlinetherapy.com or simply complete the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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References:
[1] https://deepmarketinsights.com/report/fidget-toys-market-research-report
[2] https://thetoymatchmaker.com/toy-trends-march-2026-weekly-3/
[3] https://fidgetstreet.co.uk/blog/fidgeting-statistics.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq6-9t1B6xnbGf5wkz7SE2D4Z2sYE5kNGmSvALEmugWEMq1Cmhi
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39946958/
[5] https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Orb-Funkee-Squeeze-Toys-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Asbestos-Exposure-Imported-by-The-Orb-Factory
