Silly putty, stress ball or other shaped-thing, small animal/people figurines.

We bought a fuzzy pencil case for her to pet.

Anonymous wrote:If it's a fidget, the school usually has specific ideas. We are doing a small fist full of modeling clay that we will throw out at the end of the day. That's consistent with the 504. But a stress ball, small bean bag (like half the size of a corn hole bean bag), wikki stixs...work.

If it's a toy, then whatever small figurine, small car, small paw patrol animal...fits in the kid's fist. Nothing too big. Something that can go in the pocket. I would NOT send the child's lovey or something they absolutely cannot live without, if they lose it.

Good luck!

I think you need to be careful that whatever it is doesn't cause a mess. Modeling clay, while fun, can get messy when bits fall on the floor and then get stepped on. That really makes the jobs of the custodians more difficult. And the balls can be thrown which are a potential problem. I think you need to stick with little figurines or the coloring books or something.

Search "fidget pop it toy" on Amazon. They are the latest fidget toy.

If it's a fidget, the school usually has specific ideas. We are doing a small fist full of modeling clay that we will throw out at the end of the day. That's consistent with the 504. But a stress ball, small bean bag (like half the size of a corn hole bean bag), wikki stixs...work.

If it's a toy, then whatever small figurine, small car, small paw patrol animal...fits in the kid's fist. Nothing too big. Something that can go in the pocket. I would NOT send the child's lovey or something they absolutely cannot live without, if they lose it.

Good luck!

Our church makes up bags for kids in the summer with lots of little, quiet toys for kids to play with during the service when we don't have a children's ministry program. Small Lego-like kits, plus-plus blocks, lacing cards, maybe a miniature magna-doodle or similar, Wikki Stix, I know there's been other things but that's about all I can remember.

Maybe a miniature Perplexus (my 4 and 6 year old are obsessed with those right now)

My first grader's teacher is asking us to bring in play doh. Since the first graders don't normally have play doh, I think it's for a similar purpose. That's an option too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid's kindergarten teacher suggested we pack a small fidget-type toy when he goes for hybrid learning next week (at her suggestion, we are also going to pack coloring books). Any suggestions of what I could pack? I don't want to pack something distracting or too alluring. Not looking for commentary on whether this is a smart idea (it was her idea based on her knowledge of my child) but rather any suggestions of something small that could be a helpful tool for him and not immediately create issues!

To be used as a fidget during academic times, or be used as a toy during breaks when they aren't allowed to share things or interact with peers?

Those are two very different things, and I'd make different suggestions.

The latter.

That's totally different from a fidget, and opens up lots of possibilities. A coloring book, as you said, or looking through a picture book, or travel puzzles. You'll probably need to rotate though a number of choices so they don't get boring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid's kindergarten teacher suggested we pack a small fidget-type toy when he goes for hybrid learning next week (at her suggestion, we are also going to pack coloring books). Any suggestions of what I could pack? I don't want to pack something distracting or too alluring. Not looking for commentary on whether this is a smart idea (it was her idea based on her knowledge of my child) but rather any suggestions of something small that could be a helpful tool for him and not immediately create issues!

To be used as a fidget during academic times, or be used as a toy during breaks when they aren't allowed to share things or interact with peers?

Those are two very different things, and I'd make different suggestions.

The latter.

Anonymous wrote:My kid's kindergarten teacher suggested we pack a small fidget-type toy when he goes for hybrid learning next week (at her suggestion, we are also going to pack coloring books). Any suggestions of what I could pack? I don't want to pack something distracting or too alluring. Not looking for commentary on whether this is a smart idea (it was her idea based on her knowledge of my child) but rather any suggestions of something small that could be a helpful tool for him and not immediately create issues!

To be used as a fidget during academic times, or be used as a toy during breaks when they aren't allowed to share things or interact with peers?

Those are two very different things, and I'd make different suggestions.

My daughter brought in a couple of her figurine toys to play with at her desk, if she needed to keep busy while the teachers were working with the online students. The teacher also had a cup of PlayDoh on each desk when they arrived. (Per pics posted online by my ES)

No balls or anything that looks like it can/should be thrown. That kind of stuff is too tempting to little boys and before you know it she will need to reprimand him and issue a consequence for using it inappropriately. So don't set him up for that.

I agree with the coloring books and crayons. Or a piece of string or rope for tying knots works depending on how dexterous he is.

Something cheap that you buy in bulk, because it's going to get lost every day.

Maybe one of those foam stress balls?

Yikes. She must be a new teacher.

My kid's kindergarten teacher suggested we pack a small fidget-type toy when he goes for hybrid learning next week (at her suggestion, we are also going to pack coloring books). Any suggestions of what I could pack? I don't want to pack something distracting or too alluring. Not looking for commentary on whether this is a smart idea (it was her idea based on her knowledge of my child) but rather any suggestions of something small that could be a helpful tool for him and not immediately create issues!