What is a fidget spinner and where can you get one?

Even in our era of countless technological gadgets, the latest craze is decidedly low tech.

Think it’s impossible for a toy that isn’t also a technological marvel to catch on as we near the end of this second decade of the 21st century? Then you obviously haven’t heard of a fidget spinner and definitely don’t have any kids asking you for one.

So what exactly is a fidget spinner? It’s not a single toy but rather a whole category of objects that come in various shapes and sizes and can be made of different materials as well. They all have one thing in common: they spin.

Here’s how our corporate sibling, Money, describes them:

"For the uninitiated, a fidget spinner is a gadget about the size of a drink coaster, with a bearing in the middle that allows it to spin. They’re generally made of metal or plastic and feature two or three prongs that blur, entrancingly, as they twirl."

If it sounds insane that something so simple could become a wide-ranging fad, it helps to know that they’re being marketed as sort of a distraction to our many wi-fi-enabled distractions. Depending on who you ask, fidget spinners could help kids (or adults) with ADD or simply aid in concentration.

Others think they’re silly and annoying in their own right. But there’s no question that if you are in a gathering of people at the moment, especially if said gathering includes parents, you’re likely to hear the fidget spinner come up in conversation.

The good news is that unlike many toy crazes, this isn’t one that’s going to drive you insane trying to hunt one down. It’s true that the fidget spinner aficionado in your life might not be able to acquire a specific model, but there are tons of options out there if any fidget spinner will do.

You can absolutely find them on Amazon. There are plenty on eBay as well. Big box retailers may or may not have them — a search on ToysRUs.com yields no results — but if you have a specialty shop in your neighborhood that deals with classic toys and games, it might be worth a look. /

(Indeed, in the anecdotal evidence file, yours truly has a store called Toys on the Square in town with a sign out front right now that says, “We have fidget spinners.” Demand, meet supply.)

Next: What is a fidget cube?

Money even has an article that tells you how to get a fidget spinner for free. Others are only a few bucks, but you generally seem to get what you pay for, so if quality and durability is a concern, it might be worth it to shell out for one that’s a little more expensive.

It remains to be seen if fidget spinner mania will last into the summer or burn out as quickly as it arose, but at least now you’re in the know.