Fidget spinners are not just a fad – ask any ballpoint-pen clicker | Katherine Isbister

Despite sometimes being an annoying distraction for others, such items can have practical uses for adults, and perhaps even children

The fidget spinner craze has been sweeping elementary and middle schools. As of May 17 every one of the top 10 best-selling toys on Amazon was a form of the hand-held toy people can spin and do tricks with. Kids and parents are even making them for themselves using 3D printers and other more homespun crafting techniques.

But some teachers are banning them from classrooms. And experts challenge the idea that spinners are good for conditions like ADHD and anxiety. Meanwhile, the Kickstarter online fundraising campaign for the Fidget Cube - another popular fidget toy in 2017 - raised an astounding US$6.4 million, and can be seen on the desks of hipsters and techies across the globe.