Fidget toys can be useful gadgets for children and adults alike, especially those who have ADHD or anxiety. Both disorders can make it hard for people to concentrate. With the use of a fidget toy, they can sometimes busy their hands or minds with something trivial, opening the door for better concentration. While the research on the efficacy of these fidget toys is limited, some studies have found that these gadgets actually do help. You can even make fidget toys at home.

What is a fidget toy? 

Fidget toys are small toys that encourage hand movements to ease anxiety, boredom, stress and other related concerns and feelings. These toys, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are believed by some to help alleviate something like anxiety by keeping your hands and brain busy focusing on a mindless task.

Fidget spinners are one of the most popular fidget toys on the market after seeing a huge boom in popularity a few years ago. These small toys were easy enough for people, especially children, to hold in their hands and spin around when they were feeling anxious. 

There haven't been a lot of studies yet on fidget toys and their effect on anxiety, but more and more scientists are examining the relationship between the two. Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the UC Davis MIND Institute began studying this link in 2020, and some preliminary research prior to this suggested that fidgeting could, in fact, help children with ADHD improve cognitive function.

Another study from 2018 also looked at fidget spinners, but rather than examining their effects on anxiety, it took a look at whether or not they could improve fine motor skills. The research found that there was an improvement in these skills, but researchers also noted that the improvement appeared to be greater among those test subjects with ADHD.

5 easy DIY fidget toys 

Sure, you can buy fidget toys in stores, but they're easy and quick to make at home and only require craft supplies. Typically, this is inexpensive and can be modified based on what you have available and what you need.

Below you'll find a couple of quick DIYs for your own fidget toys, plus a few places you can buy similar items online. Here's how to make easy DIY fidget toys.

Stress ball

Getty Images/Ines Fraile/iStock/Getty Images Plus

You've probably seen stress balls on TV and in stores, but it's easy to make one yourself. It only takes a few minutes to pull together. 

What you'll need:

• A balloon
• A funnel
• Flour

Using the funnel, scoop a little less than a cup of flour into a deflated balloon until it's full. Tie off the top of the balloon. That's all it takes to make a stress ball that you can squeeze any time you need it. If you want more texture, you can also add beads or beans into the balloon.

Zipper bracelet

Getty Images/armanco/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Zipper bracelets double as a fun accessory and a fidget toy. You're essentially turning a zipper into a bracelet that can be zipped up and down over and over without actually coming off your wrist.

What you'll need:

• Zipper
  
• Fastener
  
• Needle and thread
  

There are a few different ways you can put this bracelet together. If you have no sewing supplies or skills, you can simply take the zipper and tie it around your wrist and knot the end. Just make sure the zipper pull is on your wrist before you cut off any excess. Also, keep in mind that this makes the bracelet harder to take on and off. 

If you can sew a clasp onto the ends with a needle and thread, find something simple, like a keyring clasp and ring and sew one piece onto either end of the zipper. If you have a sewing machine, you could even sew a bit of elastic between the two ends of the zipper to make a stretchy bracelet that slips on and off. 

Dice cube

Screenshot/YouTube

For a dice cube, you might already have all the supplies at home. This small toy only takes two materials and will keep your hands busy trying to manipulate the dice into numerous configurations.

What you'll need:

• Eight dice
  
• Tape
  

Following this tutorial, simply use small pieces of tape to tape all the dice together into an infinity cube. And if you decide you need the dice for their original use (maybe you took them from a board game), you can just peel the tape off and retape them again later.

Beaded keyrings

Just add beads
Getty Images/Jorg Greuel/DigitalVision

Beaded keyrings are easy to put together for kids to play with and can be worn like rings. This is another fidget toy that only takes two materials.

What you'll need:

• Keyring
  
• Pony beads
  

Slide one or two pony beads onto a keyring (you might have to use a tool to pry open the keyring) so that they're all the way on and can be spun around. That's it! 

You can wear these on a finger to give your other fingers something to do if you're restless. For adults who want a more refined version of this, plenty of Etsy sellers make fidget rings for anxiety and even to help you stop picking at your fingers.

Chewable necklaces

Getty Images/Catherine Lamothe-Sauvé/EyeEm

Similarly, these necklaces can be made for kids or adults, depending on who needs them. These can provide sensory help for those who rely on their mouths during bouts of anxiety or sensory overload.

What you'll need:

• Wooden beads or nuts
  
• Thick fabric, like fleece
  
• Needle 
• Thread
  

There are a few ways you can make one of these fidget toys. You can take a piece of fabric that's 3 inches wide and long enough to make a necklace and fold it in half while it's inside out and sew up one of the long sides to make a tube. Flip it right side out and slide in a nut or large wooden bead. Tie the fabric in a knot on either side so the bead stays in place. Add a few more, tying knots on either side. Then you can tie the ends together to make the necklace. Just make sure it's long enough to slip over a child's head to take it on and off.

For adults, you can either make your own necklace with a chewable dangle or buy something already made on Etsy.

Are fidget toys just for anxiety? 

Fidget toys can be used by anyone for a number of reasons. While they're often used by kids who have anxiety or ADHD, adults experience many of these things as well and may also find help in a fidget toy. These toys are great for careerscabin.com teachers to have on hand in their classrooms. Many people on the autism spectrum may also find that fidget and stim toys provide an outlet as well.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

If you're new to  or haven't explored the streaming service in awhile, it's time to check it out. Starting at $10 a month, a subscription gives you access to everything HBO offers, including movies that were recently in theaters. And like all its streaming rivals, HBO Max's library of movies changes all the time. 

We track everything coming to HBO Max each week and keep a running list of the service's standout originals, which you can check out below. And if you're still searching for something to watch, the platform also offers tons of art-house classics from the prestigious Criterion Collection.

What's new this week (Aug. 22 to 28)

Here are the latest highlights.

Wednesday

• Katrina Babies (2022) -- Documentary. An intimate look at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the children of New Orleans.
  

Read more: Best TV Shows to Watch on HBO Max

Best HBO Max originals and blockbusters

Documentary

CNN/Focus Features

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021)

This film about beloved author, chef and globe-traveling TV host Anthony Bourdain comes from documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville, who also directed 2018's Won't You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom. In interviews with people who knew Bourdain, like his friends, former partners and longtime colleagues, the doc tracks his career path, relationships and personal struggles. Bourdain fans and those less acquainted with the star will likely appreciate this two-hour look at his life.

HBO Max

Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022)

Tune into this HBO doc for the mesmerizing, gravity-defying skateboard stunts, a time capsule of the '80s skateboarding scene, and a version of Hawk you've probably never seen. We get to know the renowned athlete as a lanky, stubborn but determined kid who adopted his own skateboarding style. Hawk's persistence is something to marvel at, along with all the stunning skateboard moves this film packs in. Hang on for a memorable ride.

HBO Max

Beanie Mania (2021)

As a frequent watcher of pop culture documentaries, I was surprised I missed Beanie Mania, an 80-minute examination of the toys' heyday. If you, too, skipped over this plushie-fest when it premiered at the end of last year, here's your invitation to get in on the mania. "Perhaps the biggest toy craze in history," as one reporter puts it in the doc, the Beanie Babies phenomenon can be traced back to a group of Chicago moms who started collecting the stuffed animals. The documentary also spotlights the woman who thought up adding poems to Ty tags. Want more delightful '90s toy tidbits? Put this doc on display. 

Drama

Janus Films

Drive My Car (2021)

What can we say about acclaimed Japanese drama Drive My Car? Well, it snagged an Oscar for best international feature film at this year's Academy Awards. It's also a three-hour movie that people are sitting and watching all the way through, which, to me, speaks volumes. But seriously, Drive My Car is a powerful film that explores loss and letting go. If you missed it before the Oscars, stream it now.

Screenshot by CNET

Bad Education (2019)

Based on a magazine article by journalist Robert Kolker, this tale about a public school embezzlement scandal and the student journalists who broke the news is captivating from start to finish. Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman are phenomenal in their roles as the school officials who took part in the scheme. It also won the 2020 Emmy award for Outstanding Television Movie. 

Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Pictures

King Richard (2021)

King Richard is a warm, affecting and easily watchable biopic about the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The film winds back the clock to before the sisters became household names, giving us a glimpse of their upbringing in Compton and time spent practicing on run-down courts with their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith). Convinced his daughters are going to be successful, Richard works tirelessly to get their star potential noticed by professional coaches. A complicated man with a tremendous personality, Richard is fascinating to get to know, and his unwavering belief in Venus and Serena is inspiring. 

HBO Max

Kimi (2022)

Steven Soderbergh directs this engaging tech thriller set during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela, a Seattle tech worker played by a neon blue-haired Zoë Kravitz, has agoraphobia, a fear that prevents her from making it past the front door of her apartment. But when she uncovers an unsettling recording while doing her job, she's pushed to make the leap. Kimi is a stylish thriller complete with eye-catching cinematography, a solid score and a protagonist you'll be rooting for.

Scott Free

The Last Duel (2021)

The Last Duel a lot of eyeballs when it debuted in theaters in October. But it's on HBO Max now, where audiences can watch from the comfort of their couch as Adam Driver and Matt Damon battle it out. Directed by Ridley Scott, The Last Duel is a historical drama set in the Middle Ages with an A-list cast that also includes Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck. If any of these details pique your interest, and you're prepared to sit through its two and half hour runtime, pull out some popcorn and put on this flick. 

Searchlight Pictures

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)

Jessica Chastain, who won an Oscar for best actress, stars in this biopic of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, who, along with her husband, Jim, created and helmed the massively popular religious broadcasting network PTL in the '70s and '80s. Chastain's committed performance brings Tammy Faye's outsize and magnetic personality to life. You'll find yourself drawn into her world, with all its ridiculous makeup choices, weirdly timed prayers and bubbling scandals. It's unclear how long The Eyes of Tammy Faye will remain on the HBO streamer, so we recommend you reserve an evening with Bakker while you can.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Judas and the Black Messiah made waves at the Oscars, earning a best supporting actor win for Daniel Kaluuya, among its many nominations. It was much deserved. Kaluuya is mesmerizing as Fred Hampton, chairman of the Black Panther chapter in Illinois, https://careerscabin.com/non-channeling-skills-poe-craft/ lighting up the screen alongside Lakeith Stanfield, who plays an FBI informant sent to infiltrate the party. The biopic, dramatizing real-life events in the late '60s, is riveting, shocking and sizzles with themes about racial injustice. A big, hefty film that demands your full attention.

Warner Bros.

The Fallout (2022)

After a shooting occurs at her high school, 16-year-old Vada Cavell must navigate friendships, school and her relationship with her family. The Fallout skillfully approaches serious subject matter with realistic dialogue and compassion for its characters. With strong performances from stars Jenna Ortega, as Vada, and Maddie Ziegler, as her new friend Mia Reed, the feature will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of its 90-minute runtime.

HBO Max

Unpregnant (2020)

This is a sweet little gem on HBO Max. Unpregnant stars Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreira as a buddy duo crossing states to where pregnant teen Veronica (Richardson) can get an abortion. Yes, it's about the issue of abortion rights, with Veronica's parents refusing to give her permission to have the abortion. But it also slots into the key gear of all road trip movies, depicting a beautiful friendship between the two leads.

Imaginal Disc

Son of Monarchs (2020)

A rare (nowadays) 90-minute film, American Mexican drama Son of Monarchs will stay with you long after the end credits roll. This deep character study follows two brothers who are changed in markedly different ways by the trauma they suffered in childhood. This story, folding in magical realism, follows how they move forward in life -- the butterfly metaphors are strong, with biologist Mendel returning to his hometown surrounded by majestic monarch butterfly forests.

Thriller

Parisa Taghizadeh/Focus Features

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Dreaming of a great movie night? Last Night in Soho, the latest movie from Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) is here to provide. The film begins in the present day, where a style-loving Ellie (Thomasin McKenzie) sets out for the London College of Fashion. Eventually, sleep transports her to the '60s, where she encounters an aspiring singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). Snag a seat for this story dripping with mystery, horror and neon lights.

HBO Max

No Sudden Move (2021)

A new Steven Soderbergh movie? Aka the great director behind Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven and, more recently, Logan Lucky? Twists, thrills and desperate characters populate this crime thriller set in 1950s Detroit. When a seemingly simple job gets out of hand, a group of criminals must work together to uncover what's really going on. Take in the incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm and Amy Seimetz. While the plot can be a little convoluted and some won't be able to get past the fish-eye lens cinematography, Soderbergh's sense of humor and immersive direction make this crime caper an entertaining night in.

Comedy

Searchlight Pictures

The French Dispatch (2021)

Settle in for another eccentric, fantastic-looking feature from director Wes Anderson. The auteur behind "Moonrise Kingdom" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel" sets his sights on an alluring new story -- or rather, three. The French Dispatch, dubbed a "love letter to journalists," takes viewers through a triad of separate tales, straight from the pages of a fictional magazine. If you missed this highly original installment when it hit theaters last October, now's the time to get in on its captivating story.

Father of the Bride (2022)

HBO Max's Father of the Bride introduces a Cuban American family that includes patriarch Billy, a traditional guy who struggles to digest surprising news from his eldest daughter: She's met a guy, and she wants to marry and move away with him. The third film adaptation of a 1949 novel of the same name by Edward Streeter, the movie is an enjoyable iteration that includes stars like Andy Garcia and singer Gloria Estefan.

HBO Max

Let Them All Talk (2020)

Meryl Streep playing an eccentric author in a Steven Soderbergh comedy. What more do you need to know? If you do want to know more: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Hughes (Streep) is struggling to finish her next book, chased by her literary agent (Gemma Chan). She boards a cruise ship with old friends, who inspired her best-known work. Tensions are strong. It looks great -- Soderbergh uses crisp, natural light -- and most of the dialogue is improvised. See how Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges and the rest of the impeccable cast have fun with that.

20th Century Studios

Free Guy (2021)

In this energetic action-comedy, Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is cheerfully oblivious to the fact that he's living inside a video game. Millie (Jodie Comer), a real-life programmer, enters the game to try to uncover evidence that a code was stolen from her, and the two soon team up on the mission. Eventually, Guy must come to grips with the reality of his video-game-dependent existence. (Sounds a little Matrix-y right? Comparisons have been made.) But long story short: This movie is a fun and fast-paced excursion that snags two ridiculously charismatic actors for its leads. Load this one onto your screen now.

Warner Bros.

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

A playful comedy set in the '80s, 8-bit Christmas follows the story of a young Jake Doyle, a dedicated 10-year-old who desperately seeks a Nintendo. The film is delightfully narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, an older Jake reminiscing on his past quest to secure the gaming console. Yes, there's a Christmas backdrop to the story, but Jake's unyielding commitment to his mission, and what he learns along the way, make this cheery feature a must-watch even after the holiday season. 

Superhero

Jonathan Olley/DC

The Batman (2022)

Less than two months after Robert Pattinson stepped out as Batman in theaters, Matt Reeves' satisfying superhero flick hit HBO Max. The movie takes place in a perpetually gray and rain-soaked Gotham City, where our bat-channeling protagonist starts to seek out a mysterious murderer with an affinity for riddles. Catwoman, played by a swaggering Zoë Kravitz, gets entwined in the affair when her friend goes missing. Great scene-setting and storytelling make this dark mystery unmissable. 

Warner Bros. Pictures

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

This violent, R-rated superhero entry explodes with color, amid the shocking leg breaks courtesy of one Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie and director Cathy Yan teamed up for this unique standalone film featuring the titular supervillain. Its non-linear plot and loosely assembled anti-heroes -- including Mary Elizabeth Winstead's The Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Black Canary, Rosie Perez's alcoholic detective Renee Montoya and Ella Jay Basco's pickpocket Cassandra Cain -- might put off some who're after a neater package. But if you let the stylish visuals, creative action scenes and Harley Quinn's charisma take center stage, you'll be in for a delicious superhero treat.

HBO Max

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Aka The Snyder Cut. This one's for the droves of Zack Snyder fans who campaigned for the director to get a second shot at finishing Justice League, after he was forced to leave before completion due to personal tragedy. In stepped Joss Whedon, but the 2017 theatrical version was a critical and box office failure. Now, a four-hour Snyder director's cut is ready on HBO Max, with a ton of new scenes, a couple of new villains and the spectacular epilogue. If you're on board with Snyder's slo-mo style, it's worth checking out his remarkably different original vision.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Fan of the '80s? Including that filmmaking style? The sequel to Wonder Woman leans hard into its inspirations, which will either take you back to pleasingly simple versions of adventure and heroism, or really annoy you with a nonsensical plot and slow pace. Gal Gadot's Diana Prince hasn't moved on from Steve Trevor's (Chris Pine) death, working at the Smithsonian where an ancient artifact kicks off a world of trouble and forces her to make a few hard decisions. Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal are new additions to the cast. Colorful, lightweight escapism.

Musical drama

Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios

West Side Story (2021)

Steven Spielberg's reimagining of the classic musical has triumphantly leapt and twirled its way onto HBO Max. The film scored seven Academy Award nominations and Ariana DeBose won best supporting actress for her role as Anita. Young Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler) cross paths at a high school dance and begin a forbidden love affair, escalating tensions between two rival gangs. Eye-catching musical numbers and stunning production design transport viewers to 1950s New York. The film darkens in its second half, but with Spielberg at the helm, you'll willingly absorb it all.

Macall Polay/Warner Bros.

In the Heights (2021)

In the Heights stars Anthony Ramos (whom you might recognize as John Laurens in Hamilton) playing Usnavi, a bodega owner struggling to keep his business afloat while a heatwave strikes Washington Heights. Secretly in love with his neighbor Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who dreams of getting out of the salon and out of the neighborhood, Usnavi serves the people of Washington Heights with a whole lot of love, lottery tickets and cafe con leche. Between the choreographed twirls and fireworks, In the Heights is an examination of wealth disparity, immigration, classism and the importance of culture.

Some of the best 3D printers available right now use UV resin rather than filament to produce models. These printers tend to produce smaller, more detailed models than the larger FDM printers and can be used to make board game miniatures and even fine jewelry and dentistry. 

These printers use a special type of UV resin that comes in a variety of colors and chemical compositions, each of which can create a different type of end result. A lot of them are specialty resins that you aren't likely to need every day but it can get complicated when you are searching for the right material. We've put together this helpful list of the best resins for you to choose from. The list will get updated as more resins are tested by our team.

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Siraya Tech

Siraya Tech Fast

Siraya Tech Fast has been the perfect balance of price per gallon and functionality. There are cheaper resins, but a lot of them tend to split or become sticky if handled improperly. Fast has been my go-to for the last few years and never lets me down when it comes to reliability. 

I also use it for all of my resin 3D printer reviews so I know what each printer can handle. The smoky gray color is my favorite but there are some amazing colors to choose from.

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Sunlu

SUNLU 3D Printer Resin (4-Pack)

When you are just starting out it's helpful to buy a bulk of inexpensive resins to get your collection started. This four-pack of 500g bottles of resins can be mixed and matched so you can have four different colors, perfect for creating different effects on your models.

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Elegoo

Elegoo plant-based resin

While Elegoo touts its plant-based resin as a nonirritant and safe, it is much better than any other resins in that regard. It should still be handled with gloves, respirator and goggles until it is fully cured.

It is, however, cheap, easy to use and gives reliable results for the price. I also like that the smell of resin is almost nonexistent with plant-based resins.

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Anycubic

Anycubic tough resin

Resin can be quite brittle, and if you are building parts that need to have stress exerted on them, then a resin like the tough resin from Anycubic might help with its longevity. 

The tough resin works the same as other resins but allows for some flexibility in the final model. This reduces the chances of it shattering into pieces like dry spaghetti.

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NOVA 3D

NOVA3D High Transparent 3D Resin

One of the gold standards of clear resin is actually making it clear. It's really hard to do as UV-cured resin tends to yellow as it cures. NOVA3D has worked hard to make this transparent resin as crystal clear as it can, and while it does yellow if you cure it aggressively, it can give amazing results if you take your time.

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Siraya Tech

Siraya Tech Cast

One of the coolest things I have ever done with a resin printer is to make a cast for jewelry. I used some of this resin to print a Green Lantern ring, then took it to a friend of mine with a kiln. She wrapped it in plaster and then fired it. The resin has a high wax content that helps it melt away, leaving a perfect mold behind for pouring silver.

This resin is not cheap, but if you are interested in making your own jewelry and have access to a kiln, this may be for you.

3D printing resin FAQ

Resin 3D printing is a lot different from other types of additive manufacturing. It can be hazardous, but it is incredibly rewarding if you can get it right. Here are some of the frequently asked questions I get asked about the process.

Is resin actually dangerous?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, but if you are safe it's fine. Touching resin with your bare hands can give you chemical burns, and the more you handle it the more likely you are to become allergic to it. I now have to be extra careful, as I get swollen eyes if any liquid resin touches my skin. It's no joke.

Making sure you are wearing the correct protective equipment is of vital importance when using resin. Minimally you should be using nitrile gloves any time you are handling uncured resin, though I would recommend a pair of safety glasses and a respirator to keep the toxins away. 

Can I use normal resin from Michaels?

The type of resin you might see at Michaels or other craft stores is not the same as 3D printing resin. Most of those resins are two-part systems that chemically bond when mixed. UV resin cures under, you guessed it, UV light. It only does this under certain wavelengths, though, so not all resins will work. You will need to use resins specially labeled as 3D printing resins.

What happens when I don't 'cure' resin?

There are two main stages of curing for a resin-printed model. The first is the curing that happens inside the printer when the UV light hardens a layer of resin to form the model. The second happens after the model is finished. When you first take the model off the build plate you still need to use gloves to handle it, as the outside will be covered in uncured resin. You will need to wash the model in isopropyl alcohol -- 90% or above is best -- and then cure it one final time in a UV chamber or out in the sun. This will harden the outer surface and make it safe to handle. 

If you don't do that second cure, the model will stay sticky and be unsafe to handle. Even covering it in paint won't stop it from being hazardous to you and everything around you, including animals and plants. I would recommend a Wash and Cure system to streamline that process.

Can I print something out of resin that is food-safe?

No. 3D printing resin is never food-safe. While curing makes it safe to handle, it is never 100% and ingesting any amount of resin is a big no-no. The best way to make food-safe products from your resin prints is to make a silicone mold of them and use that to make food-safe resin products instead. 

Are there different kinds of resin?

While all UV resins are essentially the same, some have different properties that help you achieve different results. Standard resin is great for a lot of projects but can be quite brittle. Some have a lot of flexibility but don't lend themselves to fine detail, making them great for careerscabin.com more practical prints. There are even resins that can be used to make denture molds, so the uses are endless. Siraya Tech Fast -- the best overall resin on our list -- can be mixed with other types from the brand to create different properties so you can buy the cheaper resin and mix it with a small amount of more expensive resin with different properties.