The hottest trend in the toy industry right now is, without a doubt, the fidget spinner. At first glance, well, at first glance you have no idea what it is, how to hold it, or what to do. Then once you crawl out from under your rock and get on social media, you might think it’s just another adolescent fad that is likely to die down as the novelty wears off and today’s youth discovers the next big thing. However, when considering why the spinner has become so popular supported by scientific research, it’s easy to think that the fidget spinner might be here to stay. Elementary school and middle school age kids can’t keep their hands off these simple little toys, and their fascination is even causing some teachers to ban spinners from classrooms. Even though most kids probably don’t realize it, there is actually a reason behind why they are so taken by fidgeting with their fidget spinners, and why even adults are catching on and purchasing the devices for themselves.

According to an article published by PBS, fidget toys such as spinners can act as a relaxation tool or a concentration aid for kids and adults. It is already common for people of all ages to fidget in situations that are particularly stressful, socially awkward, boring, or that require intense concentration. Furthermore, for children and adults that experience these types of situations in a more intense way, such as people with ADHD, Autism, or an anxiety disorder can find much needed comfort and relaxation in using a fidget spinner. There is still a lot of research to be done to prove that specifically fidget spinners can serve this type of purpose. However, evidence from similar studies that have been done suggests that fidgeting is something we all crave from time to time as humans, and doing so can really help us stay calm, focused, and be productive. Thanks to the kids and adults that are loving their fidgets, the spinner trend is now evolving into a whole range of fidget toys, and it seems as though an entire new subcategory of the toy industry is taking shape. These hand-held satisfying gadgets can be found in corporate offices during meetings or in elementary schools, and they continue to be manufactured and sold by the millions. Despite their immense popularity and speedy rise to the top of the toy industry, time will only tell us if they are here to stay or truly just another trend.