Why Some Fidget Toys Catch On: The Design Science Behind the Click
May 22, 2026The Science of Focus: How 3D Printed Fidget Toys Help Maintain Productivity
May 26, 2026Trying to 3D model and print something for the first time can be an intimidating thought, Learning the fundamentals by starting simple can be achieved by something as small as a fidget toy. They can involve moving mechanisms different textures and different interactive components which can make for a good first project and introduce different useful concepts.
When designing for the first time you should start with a simple concept. Fidget toys can be small and simple such as a click fidget a fidget ring or something like a fidget disc. The goal with the first project should be to understand how to have movement and shape complement each other and not be constrained by a complicated model.
For the next step choose a CAD program that is designed for beginners. Tinkercad is a useful program for forming small shapes to create and edit them and as your skills become more developed programs like Fusion or Onshape allow greater control and more sophisticated design. For the first step you should sketch something and then use the same shapes to form a small design. The CAD program should have the shapes you want available.
When forming moving parts it is necessary to consider ‘tolerances’. Tolerances refer to the spacing you leave so components can move freely after being printed. When the tolerances are too small parts can chemically weld to each other during the printing process. A good starting point can be a 0.2 to 0.5 mm spacing ( of ‘clearance’ ) although this can depend on your printer.
Some common mistakes new designers will make is placing too many details on parts leading to poor printing having walls which are too thin and lead to easy and instant breaking and having moving parts which are too complicated leading to excessive and unnecessary frustration. Often the greatest results come from the simplest designs.
Printing settings change the way the object moves and functions. For example using a smaller layer height means a smoother surface but higher infill means more weight and a stronger print. Also speed and accuracy change in relation to each other. A good first step is to find a midline value for infill and print speed or layer height.
Design and print the first iterations then use them to change and improve movements add flexibility and change texture. Think of this as your first design improvement; however most of the learning happens while you are iterating improvements.
