WHAT THE HECK ARE STIM TOYS?

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I've heard this phrase several times without explanation: stim toys.

I want to know everything: what are they? What are the popular ones? Where can I get me one? Or five?

I jiggle my leg, rock back and forth, rub my hands, chew gum compulsively, chew straws, hum to myself, and stim in about a dozen other ways. But what is this about toys for the purpose?

Tell me all! Relieve my anguished nerves!

I think Animallover was refering to those.
I believe it is just something with a pleasing texture, but I could be wrong.

I used to love playing with this button&string thing. I'm not sure what it's called, but you run a string through two holes of a button forming a loop.
Then, with the button in the middle, you use it's weight to wind up the string. If you then pull on each end of the string it will unwind and wind itself again vibrating and humming all the while.
I don't know if that makes any sense.
I was obsessed with this thing for a little while when I was a kid.
Does anyone know what it's called ?

Those office stress toys are good for stimming, too.

This is one of my favorites....

I once found the impeller from a tiny oil pump that I would play with quite a bit. It was about an inch in diameter. For those of you who no idea what I'm talking about, let me describe it.

The housing:
One steel disc about an inch across and with a thickness of approximately .25 inches. The interior of this disc is machined to form the shape of an 8 sided star with rounded lobes.

The impeller:
Into this disc fits the actual impeller, which is somewhat smaller, yet of the same thickness. The outer surfaces machined to correspond with the mating surfaces on the interior of the impeller housing. However the impeller has 6 sides instead of 8.

This ensures that a rotary cam action is induced when the impeller is spun against the interior walls of the exterior housing. Through the center of the impeller was a shaft journal of approximately 1/8". This journal was also surrounded by 1/8" holes which correspond to the lobes of the star.

Sound stupid to you? It probably is but it was great mindless entertainment for idle time, and a great stress releiver.


Also, anything that can produce an interesting sound, such as a squeaky hinge, or drawer, or what have you.--Unfortunately, a lot of 'found sounds' seems to annoy other people to no end.

I have one of those metal deallies with all the pins and stuff that you put your face in and it makes an impression. I'm sure it has a technical name but it elludes me presently. I like the texture of it.

The toy I own is a magic cube (A long stick of triangles that are twistable.

my new cell phone would qualify as a "stim-toy" i guess. its really soft and stuff and fun to open and fold and stuff, which i do alot.

I think it's really any object which can be used during stimming. But I don't think (or at least I haven't seen yet) that there are any toys which are specifically made for autty stims.

But I got this kewel spinning light thingy at the zoo a couple weekends ago. It's the most awesome toy on earth!

Oh! I love this little toy I made. It is just a bod round bead, with lanyard put through it....and then I swing it in the air like a yo-yo and then catch it...<3

I crocheted 6-8 rolls of yarn by hand, and though it's not necessarily a toy, I suppose it serves the same purpose as any other stim, and makes use of an additional item.

After all, the only difference between a fun toy and a piece of junk is semantics.

I'm starting to understand.

I guess I've had a few of these myself. At school, I used to have an exercise squeeze ball that I would take into class with me to make it through.

I haven't had anything like that in a while. I should get some more. All the chewing gum is starting to make my jaw ache...

Yeah gum. I can't go a day with out it!! !

Ew, gum! I hate gum.

i don't think i should say what this thread made me think of when i read it first...

oh, come on - i do not believe for one moment some of you weren't thinking along the same lines.