We all know how tough it can be to stay focused and keep our hands busy. Luckily, with some creativity and a few household items, we can craft our own DIY fidget toys with paper! These fun little gadgets can help us keep our minds occupied and make any situation more entertaining. Whether it’s in the classroom or at your desk, fidget toys are a great way to engage your creative side while also helping you stay focused on the task at hand. This article will give you an easy-to-follow guide to making these fun and inexpensive fidget toys out of paper. So grab some scissors, glue, and paper, and let’s get crafting!
DIY Fidget Toys With Paper Step by Step

Fidgeting can be a great way to relieve stress, anxiety, and boredom, but finding the right fidget toy for you can be hard. Fortunately, there are plenty of DIY fidget toys that you can make with paper. From simple origami animals to complex paper mazes and games, the paper offers a wide range of options that can help you practice fine motor skills while keeping your hands busy.
Paper fidget toys are an easy and inexpensive way to give kids something to do with their hands while they’re learning or waiting. Fidget toys can help calm children down, focus their attention, and even reduce stress. They’re also fun to make! With just a few supplies, you can make your own paper fidget toy that kids of all ages will love.
Here are 6 DIY fidget toys made from paper:
- Paper Roll Fidget
- Paper Clip Chain
- Paper Fan Fidget
- Paper Fortune Teller
- Paper Slinky
- Paper Snake
1. Make Paper Roll Fidget Step by Step

The Paper Roll Fidget is a simple and easy-to-make toy that provides a satisfying sensation when rolled between your fingers. You can experiment with different types of paper to find the perfect texture and weight for your fidgeting preferences. For example, you may prefer the smooth feel of printer paper or the heavier cardstock weight. This fidget toy is also great for people who like to keep their hands busy, as the rolling motion helps to keep your fingers occupied.
Steps to follow:
- To make a paper roll fidget, you’ll need a piece of paper and some tape.
- Start by rolling the paper into a tight cylinder shape. You can use a pencil or a pen to help roll the paper tightly.
- Once the cylinder is formed, secure the ends of the paper with tape.
- You can use any paper, such as printer paper, construction paper, or even scrapbook paper.
- The tight cylinder shape makes it easy to roll the paper in your hand and fidget with it.
2. Make Paper Clip Chain Step by Step

The Paper Clip Chain is a versatile fidget toy that can be adjusted to suit your preferences. You can create a chain with just a few paper clips or use many more to create a longer chain. The sensation of twisting and turning the chain provides a satisfying and calming effect. The paper clips can also be clicked and unclicked for a different type of fidgeting experience. The chain is also small and portable, making it a great option for people who like to have a fidget toy on hand at all times.
Steps to follow:
- This fidget toy is easy to make and requires only a few paper clips.
- Start by taking one paper clip and attaching it to another paper clip.
- Keep attaching paper clips to each other until you have a chain that is the desired length.
- The paper clip chain can be twisted, turned, and manipulated in many different ways, providing a fun and satisfying fidgeting experience.
3. Make Paper Fan Fidget Step by Step

The Paper Fan Fidget is a fun and easy-to-make fidget toy that provides a satisfying sensation when opened and closed. The fan shape allows you to fidget with it in many different ways, such as waving it back and forth or opening and closing it quickly. The fidget toy is also great for people who like to have a visual element to their fidgeting, as the fan’s movement can be seen and watched.
- To make a paper fan fidget, you’ll need a strip of paper and some tape.
- Start by cutting a strip of paper to the desired length.
- Then, fold the strip of paper accordion style, meaning you fold it back and forth in a zigzag pattern.
- Once the paper is folded, secure one end of the paper with tape to create a fan shape.
- You can then fidget with the fan by opening and closing it or waving it back and forth.
4. Make Paper Fortune Teller Step by Step

The Paper Fortune Teller is a classic fidget toy that provides a fun and interactive fidgeting experience. The toy is made by following a simple set of instructions and can be customized with your own numbers or words. The act of opening and closing the fortune teller provides a satisfying and distracting sensation, and you can also enjoy the challenge of guessing the hidden numbers or words.
Steps to follow:
- To make a paper fortune teller, you’ll need a square piece of paper.
- Start by folding the square in half to form a triangle.
- Then, fold the triangle in half to create a smaller triangle.
- Next, make four folds in the triangle to create a square shape with flaps.
- Finally, write numbers or words on the flaps and follow instructions to make a classic paper fortune teller.
- The fidgeting aspect comes from opening and closing the fortune teller.
5. Make Paper Slinky Step by Step

The Paper Slinky is a fun and simple fidget toy that provides a satisfying sensation when stretched and bounced. The tight spiral shape creates a unique sensation as the toy is stretched and released, and the weight of the paper provides a satisfying feeling in your hand. This fidget toy is also great for people who like to have a visual element to their fidgeting, as the slinky movement can be seen and watched.
Steps to follow:
- To make a paper slinky, you’ll need a strip of paper and some tape.
- Start by cutting a strip of paper to the desired length.
- Then, roll the strip of paper into a tight spiral and secure one end with tape.
- The paper slinky can be stretched and bounced like a traditional slinky toy, providing a fun and satisfying fidgeting experience.
6. Make Paper Snake Step by Step

The Paper Snake is a fun and satisfying fidget toy that provides a unique sensation when coiled and uncoiled. The zigzag pattern of the paper creates a flexible and twisty snake-like shape, and the act of coiling and uncoiling the toy provides a calming and distracting sensation. This fidget toy is also great for people who like to have a visual element to their fidgeting, as the snake’s movement can be seen and watched.
Steps to follow:
- To make a paper snake, you’ll need a strip of paper.
- Start by cutting a strip of paper to the desired length.
- Then, fold the strip of paper into a zigzag pattern, with each fold alternating between going one direction and then the other.
- The paper snake can be coiled and uncoiled, providing a fun and satisfying fidgeting experience.
Paper Fidget Toys: Benefits
Fidget toys are helpful tools that can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety. They can help increase focus and concentration, which can be very beneficial if you’re trying to finish a work project or studying for an exam. Fidget toys also have the added benefit of improving hand-eye coordination and providing tactile stimulation.
DIY fidget toys made from paper are a great way to get all the benefits of a fidget toy without spending any money. Paper is an easily accessible material used in many ways to create unique and fun fidget toys. For example, you could use paper clips to make a chain-link fidget toy. Link together several paper clips until you have your desired chain length, then twist them around each other for a sturdy but movable toy. You could also use paper origami techniques to make cubes, animals, or shapes that you can manipulate with your hands.
Another option is to cut different shapes out of construction paper or cardstock and then glue them together into 3D shapes or designs that can be moved around in your fingers. You could even use tape or string to make “strings” out of paper that you can pull apart and reassemble repeatedly. With just a bit of imagination, you can create endless DIY fidget toys from simple materials like paper.
Final Word
DIY fidget toys with paper are an excellent way to keep your hands and mind busy. Not only do these toys provide hours of fun, but they can also help reduce stress and anxiety. With a few simple materials, you can create a variety of shapes and designs that will engage your imagination and help pass the time. So if you’re ever feeling restless or bored, grab some paper and get creative with your own DIY fidget toy!