15 Sensory Toys for Adults With Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety
It’s time to talk about adults on the autism spectrum and sensory toys! Most of the time, when people discuss autism and sensory needs, they only bring up children. But autistic adults exist, and we need to stim too! Autism doesn’t magically vanish when somebody turns 18. And adults with other forms of neurodiversity such as sensory processing disorder and ADHD also benefit from sensory toys. So here’s my guide, as an autistic person, to sensory and fidget toys that are appropriate and fun for neurodivergent adults.
Fidget Toys Top 6 Picks
Our most popular and highly recommended fidget toys and sensory toys for teens and adults with autism, ADHD, and/or anxiety.
How We Chose the Toys on This List
You’re never too old to play with toys! The concept of “age appropriate” is ridiculous when you think about it. As adults, we have certain responsibilities, but we don’t need to lose our playfulness and sense of fun. And we certainly shouldn’t be told we’re too old to utilize tools that can help us meet our sensory needs.
With that said, these fidget toys were chosen by me, an autistic woman in her 30s who has an entire drawer full of stim toys, my male friend the same age who has ADHD, and from suggestions submitted by Ability Toolbox community members. We chose them because they’re well suited for adults, and in some cases more discreet, so you can stim in a college class or at work without drawing attention. They won’t all be right for everyone, so if you have a favorite we missed, let us know in the comments!
The Best Fidget Toy for Adults
Sleek, elegant, and under $20, this fidget cube comes in its own case and won’t be out of place at work or in the classroom.
Fidget Spinner
While not the most subtle stim, a fidget spinner can be a useful tool in your arsenal. I’ve managed to prevent a few meltdowns by having mine at the ready in situations that trigger sensory overload for me, such as riding the bus. Since the initial fad, many innovative fidget spinners have been created that are suited for adults and professional settings.
Chain Sprocket Gyro Flywheel Spinner EDC Fidget Toy
DND Class Fidget Toys
Gyro Fidget Spinner Toy
Fidget Toys for Professionals
The corporate world isn’t for me, but neurodivergent people are everywhere, and we belong everywhere. If you need stim toys that are appropriate for professional and formal settings, these high-end “desk toys” and pocket fidget toys are what you’re looking for.
Lunar Kitty Fidget Toy
Fidgetland Noah | As Seen on Shark Tank | ADHD, Anxiety, Stress, Autism, ADD, Fidget Toy
Gear Ball Steampunk Fidget desk toy
The Executive Fidget Set | Metal Fidget Toys, Office Desk Décor and Decompression Items for Adults
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LEGO Bonsai Tree 10281 Building Kit, a Building Project to Focus The Mind with a Beautiful Display Piece to Enjoy,...
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9Pcs Magnetic Rings Fidget Toy Set, Idea ADHD Anxiety Decompression Magnetic Fidget Toys Adult Fidget Spinner Rings for Relief, Finger...
Free shippingSimple Dimple Pop Bubble Fidget Keychain
These “simple dimple” fidget toys are popular right now, and for good reason! They can provide hours of entertainment and stress relief for autistic people and other neurodivergent folks. If you love the sensation of popping bubble wrap but hate the noise, this is the perfect stim toy for you. This keychain sensory toy is easy to carry everywhere with you and super unobtrusive, so you can use it without anybody giving you funny looks.
Fat Brain Toys Simpl Dimpl Black & White 2 pack - Popping Fidget Keychain, Kids & Adults
Fat Brain Toys Simpl Dimpl - Simple Dimple - Purple/Lime - Popping Fidget Keychain
Free shippingBubble Wrap Popping Sensory Toy
If the bubble pop keychain isn’t enough for you, or you want something larger that simulates a whole sheet of bubble wrap, try one of these larger pop-it sensory toys. Note, if you’re sound sensitive: the popping is NOT loud like real bubble wrap. I have really bad hyperacusis and large bubble wrap popping can send me into an autism meltdown — but these are totally fine for me. Since they’re made of silicone, they’re still portable, because you can fold, roll, or squish them into your bag. And they’re easy to clean with soap and water or even in the dishwasher. These fidget toys come in an infinite range of colors and sizes, so if the ones below aren’t quite your style, check them out anyway and you’ll get tons of additional recommendations.
Sensory Fidget Toy Slugs and Creatures
3D printing has led to many innovations in the realm of fidget toys. Fidget slugs slithered onto the scene first, but now there are lots of animals to choose from. I bought an adorable fidget axolotl and named him Questions.
Flexible Articulated Slug - 3D Printed Slug - Fidget Toy - Kid's Toy - Christmas Gift
Fidget Toy - Flexible Articulated Octopus - 3D Print Toy - Sensory Stim Fidget - Stress Relief - Christmas Gift
Axolotl Custom Colors - 3D Printed Articulating Fidget Toy - MatMire Makes
Fidget Slug Toy,3D Articulated Stretch Shark Stress Reliever Hand Toy, Sensory Stress Relief Toy for Adults and Kids, Pressure Relieving...
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3 Wiggle Animals - Axolotl, Dolphin and Shark Fidget - Large Wiggle Articulated Jointed Moving Axolotyl Toy - Unique Gift...
Free shippingMonkey Noodle Stim Toy
This “monkey noodle” sensory toy is perfect for adults who need to self-soothe. You can stretch, pull, twirl, wrap, and squeeze monkey noodles, and they’ll bounce back to their original shape! They’re perfect for providing the sensory and tactile stimulation people with anxiety and other forms of neurodiversity need.
Impresa Products 5-Pack of Stretchy String Fidget / Sensory Toys (BPA/Phthalate/Latex-Free) - Stretches from 10 Inches to 8 Feet!
Free shippingMagic Rainbow Ball Puzzle Fidget
Some autistic people love to solve puzzles as a form of stimming. This magic ball puzzle can be solved, or you can just move the balls around to keep your fingers busy.
CuberSpeed Rainbow Ball Magic Cube Fidget Toy Puzzle Magic Rainbow Ball Puzzle Fun Fidget
Free shippingSpeed Cube Set
Rubik’s cubes are back, and autistic people everywhere are in heaven with all the speed cube contests and new styles of cubes being released. If you’ve never tried cubing and you’re neurodivergent, you’ve been missing out! When I’m working or in class, I prefer mindless, repetitive stimming, but in the evening, I love doing puzzles when I can give them the attention they deserve.
Speed Cube Set, Puzzle Cube, Magic Cube 2x2 3x3 4x4 Pyraminx Pyramid Megaminx Puzzle Cube Toy for Children Adults, Pack...
1 used from $22.23Free shipping
CuberSpeed Twist 3x3 stickerelss Speed Cube
Free shippingChew Pen Topper
Many people on the spectrum chew to meet our autism sensory needs. If the tops of your pens are a chewed-up mess, or you’re looking for an alternative to wearable chewelry, these silicone pen toppers are perfect.
ARK's Krypto-Bite Pencil Topper Chewable Tubes - Made in The USA (Combo - 1 of Each Toughness, Magenta/Teal/Lavender)
Free shippingShashibo Fidget Box
Tired of the usual fidget cubes and puzzles? The Shashibo shape-shifting fidget box is a totally unique sensory toy that unlocks your creativity. By shifting the pieces held together by rare earth magnets, you can reveal hidden colors and form amazing shapes. You can even combine multiple cubes to create vibrant sculptures. This is one of my favorite stim toys, and I recommend it highly to any neurodiverse person with a creative side.
SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box - Award-Winning, Patented Fidget Cube w/ 36 Rare Earth Magnets - Extraordinary 3D Magic Cube –...
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Star Cube Magic Cube Set, 2 in 1 Yoshimoto Cube for Kids and Adults, Toy Gifts for Boys and Girls...
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SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box - Award-Winning, Patented Fidget Cube w/ 36 Rare Earth Magnets - Transforms Into Over 70 Shapes,...
Free shippingSqueeze Bean Autism Stim Toy Keychain
I’m proud to be autistic, but when I need to stim in quiet places like work or college, I need a small sensory toy that won’t make noise or draw attention. This squeeze bean is perfect for adults and provides a different sensation than other small items such as fidget cubes. It’s especially good for people who are trying to break anxious habits like skin picking and nail biting.
Ganjiang 6PCS Squeeze Bean Keychain Fidget Toys Pack for Both Children and Adult (3pcs Pea & 3pcs Peanut)
Free shippingStress Ball ADHD Stim Toy
I love a cutesy squeeze toy as much as the next girl, but sometimes I need a stress relief ball that’s appropriate in an office setting. This adult sensory toy set features positive affirmations to help folks with ADHD or on the autism spectrum get through anxious times.
Candescent Stress Balls - Hand Therapy Relief for Anxiety, Fidget, Tension, Exercise Strengthener - Motivational Toys for Adults & Kids...
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ALMAH Motivational Stress Balls for Kids and Adults (4 Pack), Stress Relief Balls, Hand Exercise Therapy Balls for Anxiety, Fidget,...
Free shippingSquirrel Squeeze Toy for Stress Relief
This silly squirrel is my favorite, so I had to include it! On a bad day, seeing his head pop up makes me laugh and stops my panic attacks in their tracks.
2 PCS Set Squeeze Squirrel Toys Decompression Evil Squirrel Cup, Sensory Fidget Toys, Squishes Toy Stress Relief for Kids &...
Free shippingCalm Strips Sensory Stickers
If you need a discreet fidget toy that you can use at work or school without anyone being annoyed or most likely even noticing, Calm Strips are the way to go. They are stickers with a texture you can rub, scrape, or scratch to meet your stimming needs. Textured sensory stickers are cheap, come in tons of colors and patterns, and you can stick them anywhere — and believe me, I have!
4 pc Rainbow Breathing Stickers Calm Sensory Texture Self-Care Adhesive Thick Rough Calming Fidget Anxiety Relief Finger Tracing Stress
84 Pcs Sensory Stickers Calm Stickers for Anxiety Textured Sensory Adhesive Strips Anxiety Strips Adhesive Tape Strips Tactile Rough Sensory...
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Fidget Stickers Anxiety Sensory Stickers Textured Strips and Cute Designs for Classroom Desks and Special Needs with Reusable Adhesive 3...
50 Pcs Anxiety Sensory Strips Textured Sensory Strips Tactile Rough Sensory Calm Stickers Adhesive Textured Grip Tape Fidget Toy Pack...
Free shippingLooking for more like this? Check out our article about Calm Strips.
Sensory Toys Mega-Pack
Are you new to sensory toys? Did you just get a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing disorder, and now you want to try stimming to see if it helps you cope? It can be difficult at first to know which kinds of sensory input are best for your needs. Fidget toys multi-packs feature a diverse range of fidgets so you can experiment with lots of different sensory toys to find what works for you!
Sensory Fidget Toys Pack - 35pcs Stress Relief and Anti Anxiety Toys for Kids - Cool Fidget Packs with Stress...
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(50 Pcs) Fidget Toys Party Favors Sensory Toy Pack for Kids, Pop Its Bulk Fidgets Stocking Stuffers, Treasure Box Classroom...
Free shippingMore Fidget Toys for Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism
I hope you’ve been able to find useful autism sensory toys, ADHD fidgets, and tools for coping with sensory processing disorder in this list. For more fabulous options, check out our other articles:
Tips for Using Sensory Toys
These tips can help you get the most out of your fidget toys and choose the right ones for your needs.
Understanding Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges with communication, social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. Sensory processing disorder is a condition where a person experiences difficulties receiving and responding to various sensory signals. Many kids and adults with SPD are hypersensitive to visual stimuli, sounds, and textures. Some are sensory seeking, which means they seek out certain sensations to cope with hypersensitivity, or they may be hyposensitive, meaning certain stimuli is more dull to their senses and they need more or stronger stimuli. Some people are a combination of both.
Most autistic people also have sensory processing disorder (or similar characteristics) but not all people with SPD have autism. SPD often co-occurs with learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, ADHD, brain injury, Down syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. This means millions of people around the world process sensory information in atypical ways. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone — and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, with the right support, you can turn these differences into strengths, and for many, that includes using sensory toys to fidget and stim.
How to Support Healthy Autism Stimming
Most neurodiverse children and adults, including autistic people and those with SPD and ADHD / ADD, engage in repetitive activities in an attempt to fulfill our sensory needs. This is known as stimming, and it’s essential for our psychological well-being. Most stims are comforting and help to relieve anxiety. We also stim to express joy, and to cope with physical and emotional pain and sensory overload.
Stimming is healthy, and should be encouraged as long as it does not hurt the person or others. Some examples of beneficial stimming include hand flapping, foot tapping, spinning, twisting hair around fingers, and other forms of fidgeting. Fidget toys and sensory items are helpful tools for people who stim. Some stims are subtle, while others are noticeable and may look “weird” to people who don’t understand. Just because a stim looks different or unexpected doesn’t make it harmful. But pressuring neurodivergent people to stop stimming for the sake of appearances IS deeply damaging and can lead to psychological distress and self-injurious stims.
Autistic and other neurodivergent people can experience meltdowns that may cause us to stim in harmful ways, such as head banging, hitting ourselves, or breaking objects. Healthy forms of stimming such as stim toys help us avoid these meltdowns and cope with them better when they do happen.
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Using Stim Toys to Reduce Sensory Overload Triggers
Sensory overload happens when our bodies and minds experience more stimuli than we can handle. We all have different sensitivities, but common triggers include flashing lights, sudden or loud noises, crowds, scratchy clothing or tags, and more. I have hyperacusis, which means that my hearing is extremely sensitive. Loud noises bother me, but some sounds most people don’t notice do, too. When people chew gum near me, it’s like nails on a chalkboard, and I can become very irritable. I use noise-canceling headphones when I have to be in loud environments or around triggering sounds.
Sensory overload can lead to meltdowns in people with autism and/or SPD. It can also trigger migraines, chronic pain flares, and emotional breakdowns in people with a variety of chronic illnesses. When somebody with sensory sensitivities tells you they’re overwhelmed, believe them. And learn to spot the signs that they’re struggling, because in the moment, they may not be able to tell you.
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Hey I'm Olivia and I'm a proud Autistic woman. My special interests are cats, stim toys, and electronic music! I love to write and help other Autistic adults find ways to enjoy life in this LOUD world!
