As someone on the spectrum, I am HYPED about the Five Below fidget toys. Sensory toys — also called stim toys or fidget toys — have been a staple in the neurodivergent community (i.e. folks with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and more) for years. Though anyone and everyone, regardless of age, gender, or diagnosis, is welcome to use these nifty little gadgets.
Luckily, these toys have come into the limelight, making them much more accessible and affordable. That’s especially true in the case of Five Below’s collection. Since we’ve already come to love their selection of other inexpensive toys, household goods, and phone cases, it’s great to see them also offer sensory toys.
Not sure where to start when it comes to these goodies? No worries. As someone who’s been using these for decades, I found the best Five Below fidget toys. From auditory stim toys to classic slimes and squishes, there’s something for pretty much every sensory need. And all for $5 or less.
Note that some of these sell out quickly. But we found that if you’re unable to find it online, you can find it in store, and vice versa.
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The Best Five Below Fidget Toys
1. Mesh Squeeze Balls
These squeeze balls ($1, Five Below) appeal to both tactile and visual senses. When you apply pressure to the ball, the filling inside pops out of the mesh. There are many colors to choose from, including color-changing, solid pink, baby blue with beads inside, and glittery green.
2. Rainbow Slinky
Ah, the nostalgia. We all know and love the slinky ($1, Five Below), but have you ever thought of its use as a sensory toy? The sound it makes as it clinks together is great for auditory stimulation, and the bright colors and easy movement make for visual and tactile stimulation, too.
3. Fidget Chain Sensory Toy
I have one of these fidget chains ($3.25, Five Below), and the clicking sound it makes is so satisfying. You can take the links apart and bend them to make whatever shapes or patterns you like. It comes in three colors and is perfect for tactile and auditory stims. They sell out fast, so check your store regularly.
4. Water Wiggle Squishy Toy
You may remember these classic toys ($3.25, Five Below) from the ’90s. Well, now they’re making a comeback! Five Below offers them in five glittery colors: pink, blue, white, green, and teal. The sparkle and squish make this toy stimulating visually and tactilely.
5. Sweet Treats Slime
Looking for a stim toy that also engages your sense of smell? This slime ($3.50, Five Below) is an excellent choice since it smells like a glazed doughnut. It even includes mix-ins for added sensory stimulation. Just make sure to only give to people older than five years and that an adult supervises any children.
Related: Five Below Return Policy: Why You Should Always Return in Store
6. Fidget Atom Sensory Toy
This toy ($5, Five Below) is made of a bunch of smaller spheres stuck together. You can squeeze the atom to make the little balls slide over one another. If you like the feel of smooth and firm things, this is a solid choice.
7. Expandable Ball
The nucleus ball ($5, Five Below) is another toy from the ’90s that’s great for keeping your hands busy. It’s sold out online but is still in stock at select stores. You can pull them to expand up to 10 inches and then push them into a more compact size over and over. Plus, the sound it makes is so relaxing.
8. Galaxy Glitter Planet Popper
We love this intergalactic spin on the crazy popular Pop-It toy. This popping toy ($5, Five Below) has nine planets, and it glows in the dark. Perfect for tactile, auditory, and visual stimulation. It’s sold out online but is still in stock at select stores.
9. Kinetic Sand
The OG kinetic sand ($5, Five Below) is now available at Five Below, though it’s sold out online (but your local store still might have it). This classic stim toy comes in six colors including white, blue, green, pink, purple, and tan. Give it a nice squeeze for a smooth feel, or build with it for a more engaging toy. Pro tip: store the sand in a caboodle with molds, rakes, or tiny shovels on the top for a portable playspace.
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