Musings for Moms - Fidget Spinners - Summer 2017

  How many of you out there have kids that have a collection of Fidget Spinners?

This craze entered our house in spring and it hasn't died down yet.  For those of you who don't know what a Fidget Spinner is... they are small hand-held devices that use ball-bearings to rotate between ones fingers.  The toy will then spin around on ones finger, while the user tries to switch fingers, tosses it, etc.

The toys were originally developed and marketed towards those with anxiety, autism and ADHD.  While it is a beneficial sensory toy for those with autism, they have become a distraction in many classrooms.  It also has been proven to help kids with ADHD to focus.

My oldest son, who is almost eight, has been watching YouTube videos on how to construct his own fidget spinner.  He told me one evening, that he wants to order the items needed, and then go to the garage to build it, because that's where people build things, in the garage.

While we have yet to build one, the boys have spun their spinners all around the house, both inside and out.

The main things to know - when purchasing your child a spinner...

• They do contain small pieces - and could be a choking hazard.
• Purchase from a reputable retailer (so you know the product has been tested, etc.)
• If the spinner lights up - make sure the battery compartment won't just open up (again choking hazard).
• Follow age restrictions on the packaging.
• Check the spinners occasionally for broken/missing pieces. 

With that all said and done, play it smart with your spinners and go out and have some fun.