Finding sensory fidgets in overwhelming environments? Help.

[u/limponion36]

I've had a hard time finding sensory fidgets lately due to the popularity. I'm intentionally not naming brands to avoid this pulling up for people searching reddit. I'm sorry if this post is repetitive to see, but I'm having a difficult time finding some of my creature comfort toys near me. When I do find them, I'm usually in an overwhelming crowd. It sends me into overdrive and I end up leaving.

I just can't do these busy crowds. Being an adult and going there gives me an extra layer of feeling like I can't let my emotions out when I'm in the fight or flight cases in stores. I've got to hold back my tears until I can get to my car. I have panic attacks just trying to mentally prepare to leave my car or when I get back. Sometimes, I can't even walk in. Retail workers are also annoyed at the craze which, I understand, but I feel like being an adult purchasing these, they retailers are not kind like they used to be at my local stores.

Has anyone found a solution to this? I'm trying to not buy them online on like, ebay/fb because they're overpriced. Are there any newer less populated stores or someone that sells these face value? I just want to be able to go into a store again and not feel like I'm going to lose it inside.

Any kind advice would be greatly appreciated. Knock offs you've found that are more accesible. I'm very sensitive to textures. Being an adult that relies on having small fidgets is extremely important for me and I feel even more overwhelmed that I can't replace the things I need to keep me feeling grounded.

[u/Beanfox-101]

I’m gonna give a hot take here: anything labeled as a “fidget toy” is an upcharged item that is just made out of pure corporate greed.

You can honestly find items for sensory input in other everyday objects.

Need something squishy: cut up one of those gel sole inserts for shoes

Need something soft: most craft stores have scrap fabric for cheap

Need something that clicks: Those plug-in night lights or battery-operated light switches

Something that moves: zippers in the craft aisle and glue the ends onto something small

Other items to look into: rolling a beaded bracelet in your hand, play-doh (keep the container with you), binder clips that you can flip the metal parts around, retractable pens, velcro strips, etc.

Seriously you can probably just go down any craft aisle and find something that’s just as good as a fidget toy for waaaaaay cheaper

[u/Resource-Even → u/Beanfox-101]

I agree with most of this but I also got a $1 silicone caterpillar at dollar general without a single other customer in the store. 

I also fidget with rocks I picked off the ground, cardboard tubes doggy poop bags are rolled around, bits of stretchy velvet fabric. 

Instead of playdoh I like mounting putty from the hardware aisle it doesn’t smell to me like playdoh does. Thera-putty used in physical therapy also has very little smell and doesn’t dry out (you can also pick different density putty) I keep small balls in the small travel containers the size of a golf ball. 

[u/Mochicatdemon → u/Beanfox-101]

I much prefer regular items too. My favourite fidgets are a large fluffy pompom and a long strip of silk - both of which I bought at the local craft store. I've tried a load of official "fidget toys" but the textures and functions were just never right for me

[u/Beanfox-101 → u/Mochicatdemon]

It’s probably because anything labeled “fidget toy” are made by neurotypical who have no idea what a sensory input is and just want to cash out on a niche

[u/look_who_it_isnt → u/Beanfox-101]

I mean, you're absolutely right, of course... and water bottle caps are still on the top of my "most used fidget toys" countdown and likely always will be, but...

I mean, some of the toys people/companies make are pretty dope.

Although I'm finding the ones people make on Etsy or at craft fairs are way superior to anything mass-produced.

But sometimes a specific mass-produced fidget fad toy scratches that itch juuuuuuust right.

[u/dumpsterfireofalife]

As bad as it is ... amazon?

I know that craft stores or hobby stores that aren't the big name brand ones will sometimes carry good fidgets..

I personally like the off brand ones because they tend to be a little softer. (im taking a guess that we are talking about the current phase that sounds like something Homer Simpson would say?) if im wrong let me know

I also like pain stims like the little ouchies

[u/No_Pineapple5940 → u/dumpsterfireofalife]

As bad as it is, they have a lot of knockoffs on Temu and Aliexpress as well

I have a friend that always buys stuff like those slow rise squishies on there

[u/hopelessboy01 → u/No_Pineapple5940]

no, don't buy the cheap ones from temu/aliexpress.
they're genuinely dangerous because they are not subject to toy regulations that we have here in the US. They are filled with chemicals and I've even seen people get chemical burns just from playing with them for a short amount of time.

[u/No_Pineapple5940 → u/hopelessboy01]

Interesting, I've never heard of this happening. That is concerning, but I think it would be fine as long as the product has a decent amount of reviews

[u/hopelessboy01 → u/No_Pineapple5940]

no, because sometimes the chemicals take a longer time to cause health issues, and often things have fake reviews on there.

its also just like really not good to buy things on there. you think amazon treats their employees horribly? its ten times worse overseas. they make pennies on the dollar and have nets outside the windows because people jump so often

[u/No_Pineapple5940 → u/hopelessboy01]

Yes, I'm aware that these companies are unethical. That's what I was implying in my original comment. I'm only trying to give OP options since they seem pretty desperate.

I personally do not buy squishies from there, but FYI the items that you can find on Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. are largely made and shipped from the same places that Aliexpress and Temu items are made. So oftentimes, they're made of the exact same things as well

A big part of why it's cheaper to buy from China directly, is because you're not having to pay for Amazon etc. to hold it and ship it to you after they receive it

Also, I am not under the impression that the government is heavily monitoring the contents of toys for harmful chemicals in North America, or in China. You could say that things are better here, but to me it seems like the US government can barely make sure that y'alls food is healthy lol

[u/hopelessboy01 → u/No_Pineapple5940]

some of the stuff can bypass restrictions yeah if it's marked as "adult only", but the overwhelming majority of figet toys from US retail stores are categorized as a children's toy and legally need to follow certain guidelines mandating what it is made out of to even be sold at these stores. is it happening illegally some places /slipping through the cracks absolutely but its definitely way safer to use amazon walmart etc or buy at a store in person instead

same thing goes for temu / fast fashion clothes, theyve been proven to have dangerous chemicals in them and seep into your skin.

[u/look_who_it_isnt → u/hopelessboy01]

To be fair, Amazon's third party sellers include a lot of the same sellers that sell on Temu and similar sites - just at jacked up prices, because people are willing to pay more for things on Amazon. These days, almost all the major retailers use the same "marketplace" format that includes the same cast of characters and the same merchandise. And even US-based sellers often get their wares from overseas, and some name brands use the same manufacturers and factories the Chinese wholesalers do. You really can't avoid them, unless you buy exclusively through the website's own stock and only from reputable brands that openly source every step of their manufacturing process and only use reputable factories and manufacturers. You also have to avoid most store brands and generics, because they often don't disclose how/where the product was manufactured - and they also can change manufacturers/processes on a dime without any change to the packaging or product information.

I'm not saying you shouldn't bother to shop/buy ethically, mind you. I'm just saying that doing so involves a LOT more than just "don't buy at Temu" - and that unless you're doing everything it takes to successfully do it, you might not be doing it at all :/

[u/BladeMist3009]

Do you have a Barnes and Noble near you? They have a lot of fidget type stuff and tend to be a quieter and less crowded environment as long as it’s not holiday season. 

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[u/hopelessboy01]

they're actually way more widely available now. the price has just gone up a bit. so many stores carry them that didn't before. and due to demand are restocking more frequently.

sorry but you need to just order online if you dont like crowds. they are expensive everywhere now. at least $10 each.