Why I Started Making My Own Fidget Toys

For as long as I can remember, my hands have needed something to do. If I don’t have a fidget in my pocket, I start picking at my cuticles or scanning my skin for bumps without even realizing it. It’s a habit that calms me in the moment but can leave me bleeding and my focus scattered.

I started collecting fidget toys to help. Over time, I tried dozens—spinners, cubes, beads, stretchy things, clickers. Some were too noisy to use at work or in public. Others broke after a few weeks. Many were made of cheap plastic that didn’t feel good in my hands. Instead of grounding me, they just became more clutter. 

Eventually, I realized what I really needed: a fidget tool that was durable, discreet, and genuinely satisfying to hold. Something that felt like a natural extension of my daily routine—not a toy I’d have to hide or replace.

That’s when I began making my own. I started with leather because it’s soft but more durable than plastic and I had some basic leatherworking skills. It has a quiet texture and subtle smell that helps me focus without distracting me or the people around me. These handmade toys have been a game-changer for my own neurodivergent-driven sensory needs—and now I’m excited to share them with others who might be looking for the same thing! These toys have already become popular with folks who have sensory needs like mine--people with autism, ADHD, or AuDHD. 

My go-to fidget right now, which happens to be the flagship Fidgetology product, is the Walnut SLIDE Leather Fidget Toy. The leather breaks in soooooo nicely over time. The more you play with it, the softer the leather becomes.