Podcast Summary: Brains On! – Do Fidget Toys Really Help People Focus?

Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Molly Bloom
Kid Co-Host: Penelope (Cambridge, MA)
Featured Expert: Dr. Julie Schweitzer (Psychologist and Neuroscientist, UC Davis)
Intern: Rebecca Rand

Episode Overview

This episode explores the science of fidgeting and the rising popularity of "fidget toys." Molly and kid co-host Penelope investigate why people fidget, how it helps (or hinders) focus, and whether fidget toys are truly helpful. Expert Dr. Julie Schweitzer joins to share insights from neuroscience research, and the hosts discuss practical tips for students, teachers, and parents about using fidget toys responsibly.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What is Fidgeting?

• Definition: Small, repetitive, and often unconscious movements, sometimes involving objects (e.g., pens, Rubik’s Cubes), sometimes just body movements (wriggling, tapping, twirling hair).
• Penelope’s perspective: The difference between a fidget and a toy is “just how you use it.” If you’re not focused on it, it’s a fidget; if you concentrate on it, it’s a toy. (04:22)

History of Fidgeting & Fidget Objects

• Fidgeting is age-old—people have always found things to twiddle, from ancient Chinese baoding balls (Ming dynasty) to Silly Putty and Rubik’s Cubes.
• Fidget toys themselves are a recent trend, only becoming widely known in the last decade. (06:10)

Why Do People Fidget?

• Possible Reasons:
  • Need to move when sitting still for long periods (“to get some of the ants out of your pants”—Molly, 08:16).
  • Boredom, anxiety, or to help self-regulate emotions or energy.
  • Sometimes, fidgeting is simply a symptom of being anxious, not necessarily a solution.

Fidgeting as Self-Regulation

• Rebecca Rand: “Fidgeting is a form of self-regulation.” (09:05)
  • Example: Putting cold on the face to ‘chill out’ before a stressful audition.
  • Self-regulation can be hyping up (dancing to Beyoncé) or calming down (holding cold tater tots).
• Fidgeting is one tool among many for regulating attention, energy, and emotions. (10:17-10:30)

Does Fidgeting Help with Focus?

• Rebecca Rand: Fidgeting, like doodling, can help some people stay alert and recall more information.
  • “Research has found that doodling can help people do better on certain tasks and even remember better compared to people who don’t doodle.” (16:41)
• But, it’s a balance: too interesting a fidget, and your mind drifts to the fidget rather than the task.
  • “It’s something that is just interesting enough that it stimulates our brain, but not so interesting it distracts us.” (17:12)

The Downside: Distraction to Others

• Fidgets can distract classmates or teachers, especially if they make noise or are visually conspicuous (e.g., clicking pens, tossing squishy toys).
  • “One person’s fidget can be another person’s distraction.” (18:38)

Expert Interview: Dr. Julie Schweitzer (UC Davis)

When did you first notice fidget toys?

• Many people fidget unconsciously, even as adults. She recounts noticing a patient fidget with her desk objects without realizing it:
  • “I noticed they were grabbing things off my desk ... And I said, ‘What are you doing right now? You’re fidgeting.’” (22:29)

Are store-bought fidgets better than random objects?

• Not necessarily. What matters is individual preference for the feel and feedback of the object. For some, a pen is as good as a specialty fidget. (23:38)

Should only some kids get fidgets in class?

• It depends. Important to consider others in the classroom and minimize distractions.
  • “If they are going to have a fidget, I hope it wouldn’t be very distracting to others.” (24:13)

Should we address boredom/anxiety instead of just offering fidgets?

• Yes, root causes matter: “Let’s find out why these kids are anxious … Can we teach them some breathing exercises and stretching and do that first?” (25:14)

Do fidget toys help people with ADHD more?

• Evidence suggests yes, especially in tasks that are boring or repetitive. (26:07)

What does research say?

• Strong evidence that natural fidgeting (moving legs, hands) helps attention. The effectiveness of commercial fidget toys is less clear and can sometimes be a distraction. (26:32)

Favorite way to fidget?

• Dr. Schweitzer likes squeezing a ball; as a kid, she’d twirl her hair. Her brother was a big fidgeter which sparked her interest in the subject. (27:24)

Rules & Guidelines:

• Use common sense: fidget only if it helps you focus on your main task, not if it distracts you or others.
• Consider alternatives: movement breaks, stretching, or even chewing a healthy snack. “Don’t let the fidget overtake your life.” (29:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s kind of just how you use it ... if you’re fidgeting with it mindlessly ... it’s a fidget. But if you’re putting a lot of attention into it ... it probably becomes more of a toy.”
  – Penelope (04:22)

• “Fidgeting lets us move our bodies in a small way when we can’t move in a big way.”
  – Penelope (08:11)

• “Fidgeting is a form of self-regulation.”
  – Rebecca Rand (09:05)

• “It seems like probably the best fidgeting is something that is just interesting enough that it stimulates our brain, but not so interesting it distracts us.”
  – Rebecca Rand (17:12)

• “One person’s fidget can be another person’s distraction, especially if that other person can see it or hear it.”
  – Rebecca Rand (18:38)

• “Just because people fidget doesn’t mean that the fidgeting with the fidget tool is helping them. Sometimes they’re fidgeting when they’re anxious because that’s a symptom that they’re anxious.”
  – Dr. Julie Schweitzer (25:14)

• “We have really strong evidence ... that your natural behavior just moving your legs and your hands and so forth ... helps you manage your attention ... With fidget tools ... some of them are more distracting than helping.”
  – Dr. Julie Schweitzer (26:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro to fidgeting, personal experiences: 03:13–06:28
• The history and types of fidgets: 06:10–08:38
• Why we fidget/Self-regulation explained: 09:05–10:30
• Fidgeting & focus, doodling research: 15:06–16:41
• Downsides of fidgets & distraction: 18:31–18:56
• Expert interview with Dr. Julie Schweitzer: 22:08–29:01
• Guidelines for responsible fidgeting: 28:03–29:01

Additional Fun & Kid-Friendly Elements

• Mystery Sound Game: Breaks up the episode and invites listeners to guess (11:03, 30:26).
• Mailbag & Listener Art: Engaging, creative touch with listener contributions (19:31).
• Light-hearted tone: Fun banter, playful jokes, and silliness throughout ("Cowchella" instead of "Coachella" – 19:07).

Takeaways

• Fidgeting is normal and ancient! Many people find some movement helps them focus or feel more comfortable.
• Fidget toys are not magic: They might help some people, especially with ADHD, but can be distracting if they grab too much attention or disturb others.
• Self-awareness is key: Notice if your fidget is helping you, or just keeping you from paying attention to what matters.
• Kindness counts: Consider your classmates—quiet, unobtrusive fidgets are less likely to bother others.

Episode conclusion:
Fidgeting can help us self-regulate—wake up, calm down, or stay engaged. But not all fidgets are helpful to everyone, and classroom rules need to balance individual needs with group consideration.

For Next Week:
Teaser: The next episode tackles electric cars!

“Don’t let the fidget overtake your life. Use it constructively to help you, but don’t let it become more than what you’re supposed to actually be working on.”
– Dr. Julie Schweitzer (29:01)