About three months ago we began having a designated time each morning when all of the children and I sit together and do what we call “morning time.” We pray, work on memorization, learn and sing hymns, and I read aloud to the children. On average we spend thirty to forty-five minutes on the non-read aloud aspects of morning time. And during that time, my kindergartners can get quite fidgety. When I read aloud, they are allowed to color, build with blocks or Legos, or anything else that keeps them quiet, but still able to listen.

However, I do require that they sit still for those few minutes after breakfast and focus on the memorization and other parts of morning time. To say that this has been challenging would be an understatement. Four and five year olds simply aren’t made to sit still. Just when I thought I was fighting a losing battle, we were given some Tactile Toys for Busy Hands made by The Fidgety Flower.

We received a bundle of toys including a Magnet Worm ($6.99), Bendy Worm ($4.99), 5 Ball Square ($4.99), Ball Worm ($4.99), Finger Roller ($5.99), and a Pull Puff ($6.99).

The Magnet Worm is a denim worm filled with magnets. When by himself (the children named him Sam) he is folded into a small rectangle, but when pulled by each end he expands to about seven inches long. Sam has definitely been a favorite with my four and two year olds. Stretching him again and again and watching him snap back is what the kids do over and over. I appreciate that heavy denim was used to create Sam, therefore making it a quiet toy even though there is movement involved.

The Bendy Worm, also known as Will, is a red, four-inch plastic worm. He is extremely flexible and fun to squish, twist, and roll in little hands. This little guy has found himself in pockets and purses to take on the go.

The 5 Ball Square has been a favorite with myself and my two year old. Yes, even I have been using these handy little toys. This toy is incredibly soft. It’s a three-inch fleece square that has been filled with five wooden balls of varying size. I have found myself fidgeting with the Square when thinking while writing, making lists, or even menus. My two year old likes that it is so soft and alternates between playing with the balls inside and rubbing the soft fleece against her cheeks.

The Ball Worm is also made of soft fleece. He (affectionately named Shaun) is flat and about six inches long. Shaun has one ball (marble?) inside that glides from one end to the other. While this one hasn’t been anyone’s favorite, it has been used from time to time when someone else has the 5 Ball Square.

We also received a Finger Roller. It is five inches in length and made up of small wooden balls and washers. The smaller children have enjoyed rolling this one across the table to each other. But my seventeen year old has found it more useful for its intended purpose. I often see him rolling the toy between his fingers while doing his school work. He is by far my most kinesthetic child. He has spent many days bouncing on a yoga ball while writing essays or working on math.

The final toy we received was a Large Purple Pull Puff (say that ten times fast!) It is made of four soft yarn puffs that have been threaded onto an elastic piece with two plastic balls on the end. If you look at the website today, you’ll find that they are now made with wooden balls instead of plastic- smart move in my opinion. Many parents, like myself, are more conscious about the toys they buy for their children. Being made of wood instead of plastic eliminates the worry of BPA and other health concerning ingredients.

Every single one of my children has used these toys at one point or another. When I received them for review I originally thought they would primarily be used for morning time and not much else. I was totally wrong. While they have been used daily during morning time, they have also been used in a plethora of other ways like: during long car rides, during quiet time, when the kids get too riled up and need to calm down, when thinking through things, and many other circumstances.

I have found several other toys on the website like the Life of a Butterfly set that I’d really like to get. The toys are simple and well made with natural products. The majority of the toys are quiet and can easily be cleaned with soapy water. Also, they have stood up well to daily use from multiple children. I wholeheartedly recommend toys from The Fidgety Flower to every family- homeschooling or not. They have been a true blessing to this mama’s sanity.

-Product review by Jeniffer Do Nascimento, The Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, December, 2016