The Benefits and Uses of Promotional Fidget Spinners

Are your employees falling asleep in your meetings? Are your customers wishing for more exciting gifts and giveaways? That’s what most employee-engagement managers may think of with these popular little toys, but they can do so much more when implemented correctly. Before stocking up, learn more about the power of promotional fidget spinners and how you can use them to help your business thrive.

Different Types of Fidgets, and What Is a Fidget?

A fidget is a small object or device that makes sounds, has moving parts, or offers other sensory-engaging effects that can aid with ADHD or anxiety. While a fidget can really be just about anything that engages the senses in a discrete way, here are some of the most common types of fidgets on the market today:

Fidget spinners: These pocket-sized spinners offer a sense of perpetual motion (like the device is fidgeting for you!), a soothing amount of weight, and lots of little holes to poke around in when you need to keep those fingers moving.
Silicone bubble sheets: Popular with anyone who likes bubble wrap, these bubble fidgets offer a satisfying pop that never has to end! These are also extremely popular with families that have small children, as the silicone sheets are soothing for babies to chew on and distracting for fidgety toddlers.
Puzzle fidgets: These 3D puzzles come in all sorts of geometric and abstract shapes. They are excellent for breakrooms and other times when people can take a minute to fully lose themselves in something that isn’t their work. These also make great idle finger fidgets for those Rubics geniuses that can do 3D puzzles in their sleep.
Fidget gizmo cubes: Cute little blocks covered in buttons, levers, rollers, and more are a great way for those tired of the traditional spinners to get some variety in their fidgets. They’re especially popular with gamers who feel more comfortable with some buttons and a joystick in hand.

A Brief History of Fidget Spinners

It all started in the Middle East – no really, that’s how fidget spinners got started. According to the Independent, American citizen Catherine Hettinger first filed for a patent on her spinner toys in 1993, hoping they could be used by Palestinian children to give them an outlet for their energy and discourage them from throwing rocks at the police – a common problem according to her friend who had recently visited Palestine. Sadly, she wasn’t able to strike a deal with the big toy companies and she let her patent expire in 2005.

The modern fidget spinners as an aid for ADHD and anxiety popped into popularity in 2016, though with no connection to Hettinger’s patents and no money going her way. According to The Chicago Tribune, the connection between modern spinners and Catherine’s invention are far from concrete and it is unlikely her patent would have covered the modern versions used today anyway, but that doesn’t stop most publications, including Wikipedia, from crediting her as the creator. Hettinger herself is not upset about the controversy, just happy that spinners are on the market and helping people.

There is one clear connection between Hettinger’s spinners and our modern fidgets, and that’s how they’re used. Both spinners were and are made with the purpose of allowing people to release pent-up stress and relax – something anyone can benefit from.

Health Benefits of Fidget Spinners

Sadly, the science behind the mental benefits of fidget spinners isn’t out yet due to lack of studies on the subject, but there have been studies on other “fidgets” and stress relief aids such as stress balls. Health.com cites one in their article about fidget spinners saying that stress balls, for example, were found to lower anxiety by 18% and pain by 22% (that’s a lot medically speaking.) It has also been long noted that those who have ADHD or Autism, whether they are children or adults, need to fidget. This can be observed as bouncing their leg, tapping or chewing on pens, and even doodling.

Those without some way to fidget or cope with excess energy or anxiety will not be able to focus, whether in a classroom or in a workplace meeting. This is where fidgets come in. They offer a quiet, discrete way for people to release that energy or find a center for their focus, allowing them to be present and participate in what’s going on around them.

Here are some of the benefits observed by those who use fidget spinners for their ADHD or anxiety:

Increased focus and calm
Increased ability to participate in longer meetings
Decreased anxiety and stress
Decreased need to fidget disruptively

While these benefits are more obvious in children who are otherwise loud and disruptive in classrooms, adults who suffer more quietly also can benefit from having a discrete, socially accepted way to fidget in public.

How Promotional Fidget Spinners Can Help Employees

Whether you have a high-stress work environment or want to make your workplace more inclusive to those with anxiety disorders and ADHD (check out our other blog post for more tips on accommodating autism in the workplace) here are some ways you can beneficially share branded fidget spinners with your employees:

Conference Prep Packages: Do you have a major conference coming up? Big conferences or even just big meetings that include large portions of your company can be difficult to sit through, let alone be engaged with. Including fidgets in a conference prep package can help employees be more engaged and focused.
Productivity Aids: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and it makes for low productivity as well. Employees need regular, restful breaks to maintain peak productivity, and having a soothing fidget toy at their desk can help make those mini 3-minute breaks even more effective.
Gifts for Home: Want to offer a gift to your employees that they’ll actually use and enjoy? Fidget toys are just as useful for at-home recreation as for workplace productivity, and they’re something the whole family can enjoy. So in your next company swag package, skip the socks and spring for some fidgets instead.
Breakroom Gifts: Like we said, breaks need to be restful to be effective. Consider adding some stress-relieving fidgets to your breakroom gear to help your employees fully decompress during their lunch breaks.

How to Share Promotional Fidgets with Customers

Employees aren’t the only ones that can benefit from your branded fidget spinners. Customers love quality gifts from their favorite brands and businesses, as well. Here are some great places you can share your own fidgets with customers to increase brand awareness, brand loyalty, and brand visibility.

Trade Show Gifts: At small business fairs and trade shows, don’t be the one just passing out pamphlets and business cards. Up your game with exciting and engaging giveaways like fidget spinners so you know your logo is going to make it home with them.
Mental Health Awareness Giveaways: Looking to promote mental health awareness? Fidget spinners and mental health go hand in hand. Fidgets are a great illustrative gift that customers can use to improve their own mental health while engaging with your brand.

Waiting Room Gifts: Whenever customers are waiting, give them something to make the time fly like your own branded fidget spinners. You can leave these out in a waiting room basket or offer them along with paperwork, especially when they have fidgety young ones in tow.

Don’t let customer attention wander too far from your brand. Consider the benefits that promotional fidget spinners can offer your brand, whether at the office or out with your customer base. Whether you want a friendlier workplace for those with ADHD or anxiety, or just want to help all of your employees and customers enjoy a new way to unwind, fidget spinners make an excellent gift everyone can enjoy.