Are your kids having a hard time concentrating during distance learning? Here are toys and tools that will help your child concentrate and stay in their seat during their Zoom classes!
All of these links go to Amazon and most products should ship for FREE with Amazon Prime.
If you’re not sure exactly what will work for your child or you have a gaggle of distracted people in your home, just get this bundle. It’s not expensive and everyone will have lots of options!
The fidget cube was the number one recommendation from our reader to help to calm a fidgety child during distance learning. In fact, a mental health professional working in the prisons uses these all the time with inmates who are having a hard time regulating.
These are typically under $10 on Amazon.
This is a discreet toy that will keep fingers moving during Zoom calls. I like that it attaches to a backpack or key chain.
These are typically around $8 on Amazon.
These magnetic balls are great for older kids and adults. Lots of readers rave about how helpful they are. Just make sure you keep it away from little one and pets.
These are typically under $30 on Amazon.
This putty is great because kids can squeeze it, pull it, and roll it around the desk. The canisters help keep it contained and moist. It’s also not sticky so as long as your child won’t put it in her hair or smash it in the carpet, it should be fairly clean.
This particular set is under $20 on Amazon. You’ll pay around $4-$5 per can with any of their bundles.
Amazon also has lots of “therapy putty” options that are cheaper than Aaron’s. It’s technically for hand exercises and therapy but I’m sure it works the same.
These bracelets are inexpensive so a good option if you’re just wanting to try them out. They are very helpful for kids with anxiety and tend to dig their nails into their skin or pull their hair or eyebrows to alleviate anxiety.
This set is typically under $10 on Amazon.
This sand is a winner with all kids as it clumps, sticks, and falls beautifully. Obviously it can be messy, so I would put some in a bowl, on a tray or in plastic container. Your child can squeeze it in the container if you’re worried about making a mess. If it falls out, it does clean up easily.
You can also fill a regular balloon with this sand and tie it off to make an inexpensive hand squeezer.
Kinetic Sand is typically around $10 for a two-pound bag on Amazon.
This is an ideal tool if you’re looking for something to keep hands busy without making noise or a mess.
This comes in lots of colors (helpful if you need to purchase for more than one child) and is typically around $8 on Amazon.
The descending bubbles are soothing which can help an over-stimulated child calm down. I believe it can act as a timer as well — “you can do xyz when the bubbles are finished falling” or something like that.
This is typically around $8 on Amazon.
Squishy toys are an inexpensive fidget option. The 40 pack pictured above is usually under $15 from Amazon and fit in the palm of your hand.
Another squishy toy option are these squishy bananas. They can be squeezed, pulled, and twisted and are inexpensive so it’s no big deal if they get ripped.
If you need larger sizes for younger kids, this six-pack from Amazon is a good deal.
The Flitter Ring is a great activity to help kids get some movement during Zoom breaks in the day. Your child can flip, throw, and rotate it and also do tricks and visual magic.
This is typically between $25 and $30 on Amazon.
Seat Accessories
If you kid is extra squirmy, you may want to move to some seat accessories. These allow a child to move around in their seat with minimal distraction to other people in the room or on a Zoom meeting.
If your child moves their feet a lot and ends up distracting everyone in the room, get a Bouncyband. This particular design attaches to the feet of the chair so the band doesn’t shift up the legs.
This is around $15 on Amazon.
This wiggle seat allows a child to move around in their chair without (hopefully) falling off of it. It also has bumps on the surface which gives some stimulation on the back of the legs.
This is typically under $20 on Amazon.
This stool has an adjustable height between 12 and 18 inches. It allows for continuous, non-distracting motion and also promotes good posture and back strength.
This is typically around $50 on Amazon.
If your child is extra wiggly, you may want to move to a balance ball for a chair. It allows a child to bounce a bit as well as rock back and forth safely. The legs give the ball extra support so it doesn’t as easily roll away like a regular yoga ball.
These are typically around $20 on Amazon and come with a pump to inflate it.
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