Twiddle. Twiddle. Spin. Spin. We all fidget in our own ways. Some of us tap our feet or twitch our hands, but we all have that desire to move.
So when the fidget toy craze blew up, everyone wanted one, whether it was the classic fidget spinner, the famous fidget cube, or something more personal. And with so many different toys on the market, it can be hard to find one that’s cheap, nice to hold, and satisfies your fidgeting needs.
With some amazing creativity, thousands of designers took it upon themselves to make their own fun toys. We’ve sifted through the internet to find the cream of the crop, compiling the best free fidget toys we could find.
If you’re itching for a new fidget toy but don’t have the setup to print your own, check out Craftcloud. With a huge range of colors and materials to choose from, you’ll have your dream distraction in no time.
Now, before we get any more fidgety, let’s get to the list!
Cubes
You may be sick of the classic fidget cube, but bear with us; some of these may surprise you. From our favorite right-angled friends to some looser interpretations of the word “cube”, there are endless ways to play!
Infinity
A new take on what a fidget can be. With multiple ways to print and be creative, this amazing fidget toy will keep your hands busy and your mind wondering if it can really go for infinity.
The designer specifically recommends a layer height of 0.2 mm. They also suggest a minimum of 10% infill, but you can increase this without issue if you want a weightier cube.
- Who designed it? austinvojta
- How printable/popular is it? There are 145 makes and 12 remixes of this clever cube. Some commenters have mentioned that the hinges can be a bit stiff straight off the bed.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Kobayashi
This is a bit bigger than your average fidget cube, ideal for someone who wants a more substantial distraction or just has big hands!
It’s quite easy to print, and there are also multicolored files available if you’re lucky enough to have a Palette or dual extruder. The hinges can cause problems initially, but after some clean-up, they should work beautifully.
This is a remix of one of Paul Kobayashi’s many fidget cube designs. If you like the look of this one, there’s more where that came from!
- Who designed it? markinthebox
- How printable/popular is it? This impressive design has over 427 makes and 13 remixes!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Original Fidget
Much like the original Kickstarter Fidget Cube, this cutesy little fella gives restless digits plenty to do. On its six sides, it features a spinning circle, moving a switch, a finger maze, an indentation, and a tunnel. However, unlike its crowdfunded fidget cube sibling, you can print this one at home for yourself.
The designer recommends ensuring that your printer can do overhangs and bridges fairly well; Calibration might be a good idea. It also looks better with the “fidgets” printed in a contrasting color to the body of the cube.
- Who designed it? CThig
- How printable/popular is it? This homage to the OG fidget cube has been made 20 times with 6 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Venus Box
It’s not technically a cube, but it is a box, which we’re calling close enough. A remarkably clever design means this screw-based container can open its doors like the blinking of an eye. Not strictly a fidget toy per se, but the potential for hand-busying motion is high, with the added bonus of storage. We wouldn’t be able to put it down!
You’ll need a raft for the cover and doors, but the cam should be okay without it. Once it’s all printed, you can trim the triangles off the door hinges.
- Who designed it? Prot0typ1cal
- How printable/popular is it? This sneaky box has 589 makes and 17 remixes!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Star
It’s a box! No, it’s a star! No wait, it’s a box again? The Fidget Star is a wonderful design that will have you twitching through a constant cycle of opening and closing. Even cooler, it’s a single print-in-place model, which means that the hinges of the moving parts are printed together with everything else, so no assembly is required.
- Who designed it? mathgrrl
- How printable/popular is it? There are 62 makes and over 281 remixes of this star cube, most of which are scaled to successfully print at different sizes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Magnetic Polyhedrons
A bisymmetric hendecahedron is an 11-sided space-filling polygon. These versions are magnetic, printed with space inside for 3-mm ball magnets. According to the designer, the magnets are pressed into each hole and need to be able to rotate freely for the parts to stick together. This fidget toy requires a little bit of extra effort in its construction, but the final result is worth it.
The designer used a 0.3-mm nozzle for extra accuracy on the corners and holes. Print as many or as few as you like, and get fidgeting!
- Who designed it? walter
- How printable/popular is it? There are nine makes in a range of colors as well as two remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Puzzle Cube
This puzzle is composed of just one piece printed three times to complete the cube. It’s a puzzle because you need to figure out how to position the pieces to assemble them, but once you know, you can slide it open and closed for maximum satisfaction. The creator also includes a stand to display it.
As the model needs to be smooth, the recommended printing settings include opting out of supports, and instead using bridging, for which the creator’s included tolerance in the design as well. If you’ve never tried using bridges in 3D printing, this may be a good way to start!
- Who designed it? WildRoseBuilds
- How printable/popular is it? This cube has 382 makes. The design takes into account tolerance, but make sure your print settings are fine-tuned for optimal sliding.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Square
Is a square the front face of a cube? Or the side face? And is a triangle just a square in disguise? With this puzzle-like fidget toy, you can open up a square and reassemble it in a different order to transform it into a triangle.
The design prints in place and is based on a math theorem about Kaleidoscope Mathematics.
- Who designed it? Ematyk
- How printable/popular is it? This model has two makes, it doesn’t require supports, and it’s well-suited for dual printing.
- Where to find it? Printables
Gears
One thing moves, then the other moves. Even though they’re not connected, when you spin one, they all spin. Such a simple concept, and yet, so satisfying! These next prints are perfect for the person gearing up for the perfect fidget toy.
Cassette Keychain
Step into the time machine of memories with the Cassette Keychain Double Lite, a fun creation that serves not just as a keychain but also doubles up as a fidget toy. You can rotate the miniature tape reels whenever you want to, making those idle moments breeze by.
Looking through the makers’ prints, you’ll find that this tiny marvel has many customized makes. The canvas is yours, and the possibilities are as vast as your imagination. The designer’s tip? A touch of lubricant ensures the smooth rotation of the moving parts, turning every twist into a seamless, satisfying motion.
Scale it up, scale it down, the makes stand testament to its adaptability. The model prints without supports, and as for the choice of material, PLA works just fine. This free model is the “Lite” version, and the version that includes the tape case costs ~$3.
- Who designed it? bigovereasy
- How printable/popular is it? So far, there are 23 makes of the lite version of this model. The full version with the case has 151 downloads.
- Where to find it? Printables (Lite), Cults (~$3 for the full version)
Micro & Macro Jack
Flat tires can be frustrating, but what if you had a pocket-sized fidget toy that could lift your mood? The Micro Jack is a miniature jack that replicates the appearance and workings of a real jack. It may not be able to lift a real car, but it sure can serve as a stress reliever.
Expanding on this concept, the Macro Jack offers a larger version with more features. It comes with two rail options, free-running and clicky, providing users with a choice of tactile experiences. Additionally, various textured outer surfaces for rail, ranging from a plain surface to spikes, ridges, and more, cater to various preferences.
But that’s not the end of the road. In this miniature universe of jacks, you can also print the Average Jack – a perfect middle ground, fitting snugly between the Micro and the Macro Jacks. Not to mention, with meticulous attention to detail, the designer provides a comprehensive set of print and assembly instructions so you can have a seamless print experience.
- Who designed it? StriderVarun
- How printable/popular is it? So far, there are nine makes of the Micro-Jack and eight makes of the Macro-Jack. If the slider doesn’t move freely, the designer suggests applying lubricant.
- Where to find it? Printables – Micro and Macro
Revolving Gears
With its small size and given that it’s incredibly satisfying to watch, this fidget is an obvious pick. Now, it may be small, but a little size-up won’t hurt. Because of its small footprint, it’s easy to conceal it while your fingers twiddle with the fun toy.
Be careful when printing something this small because it could break easily, especially when you remove it from the bed. The designer recommends printing in ABS, which should be more durable and give you a smoother slide.
- Who designed it? kasinatorhh
- How printable/popular is it? It’s got more than 400 likes and over 5,700 downloads on Cults.
- Where to find it? Cults
Eliptical
This is an elliptical gear with no central pivot. That means the motion of cranks on each cog will always appear off-center – and yet move simultaneously – as you turn the gear. It’s a fiendishly clever little toy that’s very easy to assemble with only four separate parts.
The designer also added a new spiralized gear that gives a mind-bending view when rotated. The design is a scaled-back remix of this gear set by PerryT.
- Who designed it? cohlwiler
- How printable/popular is it? This simple-seeming gear set is approaching 400 makes on Thingiverse with 18 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Gear Bearing
This model is a special favorite at the All3DP offices. It’s a single print-in-place gear bearing, which smoothly rotates when you twist the middle. Some folks like to accessorize with a hex key or – for maximum overkill – a power drill to really get those gears spinning. You can also modify the design to remove some of the gears; it should still rotate perfectly.
- Who designed it? emmett
- How printable/popular is it? With over 1,000 makes (and over a whopping 6,700 remixes), this simple design is the second-most-printed on our list!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Three Hearts
From the same designer as the gear bearings above, we have three heart-shaped gear toys. Putting these together isn’t as straightforward as other models, but the final result is rather romantic: a series of functional interlocking gears in the shape of a heart. The perfect gift for that fidgeter you dearly love (in spite of their incessant toe-tapping).
The assembly for these is quite complex, but there’s a helpful video to help the process.
- Who designed it? emmett
- How printable/popular is it? With 540 makes and 47 remixes, people have sure shown their love for these hearts!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Spring Gear
This interesting system combines 3D printed gears, 3D printed springs, and switch fidgets to create a switch that automatically returns to its original position.
Do the gears play a significant role here? Yes! The gears are responsible for transmitting the movement from the switch onto the spring, which is necessary to automatically bring the switch back into position. Even more, their contact pushes the switch back into place.
- Who designed it? TomoDesigns
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 2,000 downloads and more than 90 likes. It doesn’t require supports, but you may need to watch out for some warping.
- Where to find it? Cults
Gear Keychain
This pocket-sized fidget toy requires some assembly but benefits from a small loop to attach it to your keychain. It uses a simple three-gear design – 11 pieces in total, including nuts and bolts.
The designer printed this in ABS and mentioned that the gears needed to be cleaned up to get them turning. The results will be worth the effort!
- Who designed it? Evaken
- How printable/popular is it? There are 30 makes and 2 remixes of this pocket-sized gadget.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Twisty Toy
Cooler than cool, your fingers will be mesmerized by this nifty little ring design. Here, it’s all gears as a free-spinning toothed ring engages 14 small interlocked gears.
Some snap-together assembly is required, and be mindful of the design being in inches when trying to print it yourself. Turn on supports for the interlocking pins, but the rest should be okay without them.
- Who designed it? mettleh3d
- How printable/popular is it? This tiny toy has two makes and one remix shared so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Things That Spin
One of life’s greatest questions: Does it just keep spinning? Forever and forever?
Print them to find out for yourself (or ask Google).
Print-in-Place Spinner
Usually, a fundamental part of fidget spinners are the bearings needed to ensure smooth spinning, so even when you print one, you still need to assemble it with a purchased bearing for it to work. Not in this case, though! This design includes 3D printed ball bearings that are printed in place, taking into account tolerances to ensure smooth spinning.
According to people who’ve printed it, the design works and spins smoothly. It doesn’t need supports, but it does need a very precise slicer and printer to ensure the clearance is enough to keep it spinning smoothly.
- Who designed it? muzz64
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 176 makes. It doesn’t need commercial bearings, but lubrication between parts is recommended.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Bearing Gyroscope
This is a tricky design that requires a little bit of fine-tuning to print correctly – the free-standing ball bearings being the chief annoyance. However, the end result is nothing short of cool.
It’s similar to other ball-bearing fidget toys but adds two gyroscopic rings for a bit of a Vitruvian Man vibe: Definitely mesmerizing when it’s in action. The designer recommends printing this at half scale, and they also have a few other designs similar to this one.
- Who designed it? timrbsnow
- How printable/popular is it? There are 48 makes and 3 remixes of this rotating (not technically spinning) toy. A few people have had printing issues, but as long as it’s correctly oriented on the print bed it should be successful.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Spinning Tops
Sometimes you just want something to spin!
This is one of the original fidget toys. There are three designs to choose from, with three different spinning top tips for each. You just have to glue the tip onto the top, and get spinning! (Cats not included.)
- Who designed it? YSoft_be3D
- How printable/popular is it? Over 440 makers have shared their makes on Thingiverse and Cults combined.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Fidget Twister
Popular among the 3D printing community, this is basically a high-angle screw with smooth edges, assembled with a concentric ring that smoothly moves along it. The screw has top and bottom caps to keep the ring in its place, so you can constantly flip it around and watch the ring go up and down.
There are two possible methods of assembly. The first is to print it all at once, with the screw inside the ring, using precise printing and tolerances. The second method, which is actually the original method proposed by the creator, is to print the ring separately, then print the screw up to a certain point, pause the print, fit the ring on it, then continue printing. Both methods can be a bit tricky, so choose wisely.
- Who designed it? MakeAnything
- How printable/popular is it? There are 15 community prints and 2 remixes of this twisty fidgety toy.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Customizable Spinner Ring
If you want to keep your twitching and twiddling more discreet, this customizable fidget spinner ring is ideal. It sits unobtrusively on your finger, and when the urge strikes, use your other hand to rotate the knurled spinner.
The beauty of this design is that it’s totally customizable, from ring size to surface patterns, and there’s even the option to add a secret message on the inside.
- Who designed it? AmazingSpanoMan
- How printable/popular is it? There are 104 makes and over 3,000 remixes, with people putting their own spin on this design.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Bolt
Designed by the same maker as the customizable fidget spinner ring above, this is a chunky double-ended bolt with a nut sitting on the thread. The nut isn’t going anywhere, it’s simply inviting you to turn it over and over again.
There’s also a ring for a keychain; don’t leave home without it! Print at 20% infill, unless you’d like a weightier feel.
- Who designed it? AmazingSpanoMan
- How printable/popular is it? 17 makers have shared photos of their successful prints, and four have remixed it.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Animated
This cartoon fidget spinner has to be seen to be believed. Kudos to the maker who decided to take the classic fidget spinner and up the ante.
Except for the images, the whole spinner is 3D printed, and the pieces press-fit together. The designer says it’s easy enough to disassemble if you want to change the animation. Check out the full project on Instructables to see how it was done and to build your own.
Watch it go!
- Who designed it? Jon-A-Tron
- How printable/popular is it? Four makers on Instructables have shared their own builds.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Instructables
Gyroscopic Keychain
Gyroscopes are pretty popular items to 3D print, with some excellent designs to challenge your fabrication skills. But this six-ring model is pretty straightforward to make. It’ll fit on your keyring and has been refined and improved over several iterations. However, discreet fidgeting is not possible if attached to your keys; jangling metal will quickly give the game away…
The project page also includes a list of other gyroscopic keyrings, so if this one’s not for you, there are plenty of options!
- Who designed it? gianfranco
- How printable/popular is it? There are 14 makes and one remix shared on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Two-Way Screw
According to the direction of the thread, screws normally tighten in one direction and loosen in the other. Through some clever design, this screw can work both ways. The design consists of a screw and two nuts, a left-hand nut, and a right-hand nut. You can use both with this screw!
Again, precise printing is required to ensure smooth movement, and you can also print a top cap that snap-fits to easily take it places without risking losing the nuts.
- Who designed it? gvera
- How printable/popular is it? Prints of this model have been shared 101 times, with 18 additional designs shared as remixes. You can find different lengths both in the official files and in the remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Spinning Ball
This is a fun and fulfilling fidget ball that only requires some simple printing and a few ABEC 5 bearings (22-mm diameter). Its compact design allows for easy grip, and the spin is very satisfying!
Free-Spinning, Three-Bearing
This is an interesting twist on the classic spinner model. Typically, the spinner spins, and the bearings act as weights to keep the inertia going. In this case, the “spinner” is a static base, and the place where the bearings usually go has nested bearings that can twist around.
The model is print-in-place, so you can print it in one go. You can also try out dual printing and make the bearing a different color than the base.
- Who designed it? timrbsnow
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 13 makes and 2 remixes so far. The creator recommends printing with 100% infill, no rafts, and no supports.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Click & Toggle
The clicking of a pen and pressing the keys of a mechanical keyboard are some of our favorite sensational feedback. This is because the clicking and tapping sounds are paired with a tactile object. When both of these features come together, some really amazing fidget objects are made.
Fidget Elevator
The Fidget Elevator presents a tactile twist that uses a magical mechanism driven not by springs but by the forces of magnets. How does it work? This fidget toy has two end pieces that house a total of eight disc magnets and one magnet inside each of the four control pegs. Inside the elevator, there is a single ball magnet that moves around as you fidget with the tiny elevator.
To use the Fidget Elevator, simply drag the control pegs to interact with the ball magnet and direct its movement within the elevator. The tactile contacts and clicks are produced by the magnetic ball moving against grooves inside the elevator. The design comes with comprehensive print, post-print, and assembly instructions, ensuring a seamless experience for enthusiasts.
- Who designed it? koolfingers
- How printable/popular is it? Fidget Elevator has over 100 downloads across both repositories.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Miniature Hand Clicker
Requiring less than 30 minutes to print, the Miniature Hand Clicker is a quick solution for stress relief. And the best part, this compact 3D printed fidget toy requires no glues, supports, or intricate post-print processes.
While both ABS and PLA yield favorable results, users have noted that opting for PETG not only enhances structural integrity but also enhances the satisfying click sound. Once printed, a simple toggle of the head gives the click sound, providing a tactile, audible, and fidgety outlet for stress relief.
- Who designed it? Shr3Deu
- How printable/popular is it? There are 179 posted makes of this miniature hand clicker and dozens of people have claimed it as their favorite fidget toy.
- Where to find it? Printables
Seat Belt Buckle
Seat belts have been keeping people safe and saving lives for years, but now you can scratch the buckle-itch to fidget with this toy. It features a click-and-release mechanism that’s also pleasing to the ear.
There are two main parts of a seat belt buckle in this toy – the tongue and the case. For the tongue (in addition to a basic blank design), the maker has also provided parts with more than 40 styles. These include the logos of all the famous car brands, from which you can choose and print the one with your dream car’s logo!
This fidget toy’s parts are completely 3D printed and easy to put together. If needed, there’s a tutorial for its assembly.
- Who designed it? electrosync
- How printable/popular is it? So far, this buckle has five makes on both sites. Print with any car logo you want all the popular ones are available for download.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Mini Keyboard
Do you ever hit random keys on your keyboard while waiting for a program to load? While this is a dangerous game to play, we understand the appeal. The click-clack of a keyboard is relaxing, and fidgeting with it is a hard temptation to resist.
That’s why this little keyboard is a great fidget toy idea! And even more, this project makes use of compliant mechanism principles for the spring system, making it good-looking and smart. What a catch!
The springs are print-in-place. The creator mentioned it worked without issue and the whole project took about 4 hours to print.
Compliant Keychain
Another keychain fidget toy, but this one is a compliant mechanism that fits in your pocket. 3D printed compliant mechanisms are quite fascinating in terms of design and use. Coming back to this fidget, the center is the one that snaps side to side when moved.
The designer recommends using PLA (even though it doesn’t last long). You can easily print this in no time or print a whole batch. Many recorded makers have used PETG and other filaments, but this may result in a mechanism that’s too stiff to move.
- Who designed it? FabianVeile
- How printable/popular is it? This tiny toy is liked so much by people that even if it breaks they’ll want to replace it immediately. It will only take you 20 minutes to print a new one – over 100 makes are proof of the ease of print.
- Where to find it? Printables
Switch
You don’t have to worry about wasting electricity fidgeting with this switch. It is a simple toggling switch that has an addictive snap to it, similar to actual flip switches. Made up of four simple pieces, you can print and assemble them within an hour.
Many makers have printed their switches and boxes in contrasting colors, making some of them really vibrant. For the best results, the designer and many other makers have used 0.2-mm layer height and 15% infill as the print settings.
- Who designed it? kriswillcode
- How printable/popular is it? This minimal switch has 650 successful makes and 33 remixes shared on both sites.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Chain
This would make a great project to use up all those little bits of filament you have lying around the workspace.
It’s a toy chain made up of individual, interlinking pieces that can be rotated and manipulated to form shapes. Print as many as you like and make that chain as long as your hyperactive little heart desires.
- Who designed it? randrews
- How printable/popular is it? Two makers have shared their successful prints on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Toggle Buttons
We humans feel the compulsion to press buttons, especially the ones that say, “Do not touch!” The good news is, you don’t have to hold yourself back with this toy. It’s a dual toggle button, and it feels quite tactile in response. This makes every click equally satisfying.
The maker has shared many variations of this button, as well as other fidgets. They also state that this fidget is part of a button-based puzzle that will be coming soon.
One thing to keep in mind is to print the back case and spring models with 100% infill, as low infill can cause them to be fragile and snap.
- Who designed it? 3d-printy
- How printable/popular is it? This button is quite popular with 30 makes and 13 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Miscellaneous
There’s no real way to describe these ones. They’re just all the things that didn’t fit into the other categories but were too good to leave out!
Gear Shift
This gear shift fidget toy is a must-have for automotive enthusiasts; it offers a tactile and engaging experience reminiscent of shifting gears, while also catering to both manual purists and automatic fans. You can choose from three distinct bases: ring, rounded, or squared.
In terms of material, the designer says – and the many makes show – that it can be printed using almost any filament of your choice. Additionally, to make the gear-shifting experience tactile, a simple ballpoint pen spring is incorporated into the design, ensuring fluffy and satisfying movements of the gear-shift knob.
- Who designed it? MichalFanta
- How printable/popular is it? There are 184 total makes and 5 remixes of this fidget toy.
- Where to find it? Printables – manual & automatic
Oloid Wobbler
Step into a world of 3D motion with the Oloid Wobbler, a simple desk toy that can help you stay calm and focused. This toy has only three parts: two identical circles and a screw that holds them together.
However, some users have reported that the screw doesn’t hold the circles together properly and that they had to use glue. The magic unfolds as you bring together these three components, resulting in a captivating and smooth motion that will leave you captivated.
- Who designed it? WildRoseBuilds
- How printable/popular is it? There are 26 shared makes in a range of finishes – the matte and silk pop out the most.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Octopus
This is one of the cutest prints we’ve come across. This sweet little octopus has articulated legs that will be fun to fidget with as it sits in your hand.
There are several versions of the file, but they’re all designed to print in one piece. The only support you’ll need is for the mouth, and the tentacles should be printed with 0% infill. So be careful: They’ll be quite fragile.
- Who designed it? McGybeer
- How printable/popular is it? Over 3,000 makes and hundreds of remixes of this friendly little octopus have been shared on all of the sites – the most of any on our list, so it’s absolutely printable.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables, Cults
Joystick
If you’ve ever played a video game, you’ve most likely fiddled with the joystick while waiting for a loading screen. Well, you can use the same technique in other situations with this little fidget toy.
A 3D printed spring ensures the joystick keeps moving back to the center, which is always impressive to see. Users have successfully printed it in PLA, meaning it’s a suitable material to ensure the spring functions correctly.
- Who designed it? Tomo_designs
- How printable/popular is it? This print has 23 makes on both sites, as well as 8 remixes on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Kwob Puzzle
This is a fun marble puzzle that has many different designs and uses. Its rounded shape makes it nice to hold, it’s easy to print, and it’s small enough to keep in your pocket.
Final construction may vary, but the maker gives detailed instructions with the parts needed to complete it. The beads are 14-mm no-hole beads, and either ABS or acrylic will do.
- Who designed it? MakeAnything
- How printable/popular is it? It has almost 2,000 downloads on MyMiniFactory, and 5 makers have shared their prints, including one in a deep red resin.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Pocket Catapult
A mini toy that lets you catapult anything from paper balls to wooden clips! This is so small that it fits in your pocket for easy access to shoot projectiles at people anytime. You can use just one hand to shoot.
But even without launching anything, the spring mechanism of this catapult also works as a fidget toy. Pull and release it for a fun spring action movement. One recorded maker uses this catapult to throw treats for his dog to catch.
- Who designed it? Tomo_designs
- How printable/popular is it? There are 12 shared makes, while the files have been downloaded over 5,000 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Fidget Widget
This fidget widget is a rather ingenious toy, made up of six interlinking parts. It looks rather unassuming, but don’t be fooled. Once you’ve printed and started fiddling with this little number, you’ll be completely hypnotized by a swirling vortex of plastic.
Each piece will be simple to print on its own, the complexity comes in the playing. Print it in two (or more!) colors for maximum impact.
- Who designed it? theininen
- How printable/popular is it? This endlessly entertaining set has 73 makes and 10 remixes shared on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Fractal Star
If you want an easy print that has a visually stunning psychedelic movement, this is the design for you. The model is composed of 12 eight-point stars that are joined together with small joints, allowing them to pull and push on each other. When you move one, the movement causes a chain reaction across the whole model, making an entrancing visual effect.
This is easy to print. It requires no supports, raft, or brim. And it’s mostly dependent on shell thickness, as the model is pretty much all shell with only a small amount of infill in the outermost star.
- Who designed it? chuuckaduuck
- How printable/popular is it? This model has 33 makes and 2 remixes, so know that you’ll succeed.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Slinkies
What’s better than one slinky? More slinkies! This design has multiple files so you can have way more fun, including some unexpected shapes like Pac-Man and a matching ghost!
The designer printed these in ABS with a resolution of 0.2 mm. The files print with support sheaths that you’ll need to remove after printing, before carefully separating the coils with a knife.
They may not make that classic slinky sound, but they make up for it in the print-at-home convenience.
- Who designed it? Hercemer
- How printable/popular is it? These fun toys have five makes and four remixes shared on Thingiverse so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
License: The text of "The 45 Best 3D Printed Fidget Toys for 2024" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.