Review of Fidget Cube alternatives

More recently, Kickstarter was surprised by another high-profile startup: Fidget Cube created by brothers Matthew and Mark MacLachlan, known as Antsy Labs, collected more than six million dollars, which amounted to 41,682% of the originally required fifteen thousand.


Fidget in English means “fidget”. A small plastic cube equipped with buttons, wheels and a switch performs one single task - it helps to calm and concentrate the owner, who turns it in his hands, turns the wheels and clicks the buttons. Such a tactile nerve damper is akin to a rosary or Chinese balls, but in our realities, the process of squeezing it can be compared to clicking a pen or spinning any small object in your hands.

The novelty caused a great resonance in the geek environment - among fans of various start-ups and innovations, raised a wave of hype and attracted everyone’s attention. Attention is well deserved, because it really works. In addition, this toy develops fine motor skills, which contributes to the formation of new neural connections and is the prevention of certain diseases.

There is only one small problem:
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Not everyone is ready to make an order from abroad, wait a long time for delivery and overpay for it more than the toy itself costs. And at local retailers from whom the Fidget Cube can be purchased locally, prices are somewhat sad.

But there is no reason to be sad: we have picked up more than a dozen alternatives, other fidget toys, which will successfully replace this unusual item. 3D printing will help to choose and create any of them, without overpaying money, which even so much does not happen. Most of the presented models are distributed in digital form for free, with a free Creative Commons license, and the stamp itself will cost a penny. And, no less important: it is a much larger choice than several identical cubes differing only in color.

No. 1: Fidget Widget - Fidget Widget


Fidget Widget is a rather entertaining toy consisting of six interconnected parts. At first glance, the thing is rather unassuming, but this is only in the photo. After you print the Fidget Widget on your 3D and start to twist it in your hands, you will be fascinated by its movement. Do not believe? See:



For maximum visual effect, of course, it is better to make it from the material of two contrasting colors.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 2: Fidget Spinner Ring - Spinning Fijet Ring


If you do not want to advertise your manipulations with the toy, then a custom fjjet ring is your option. This is just a ring on the finger, the size, color and texture of which you adjust before printing. The ring can be manipulated with one hand, turning the outer ring on the inner and not attracting too much attention. And inside you can before printing, in the program-editor, add some message.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 3: Fidget Star - Star Star


A fun toy, consisting of several parts of complex shape, which is printed in one operation entirely - together with looped connections. Assembly is not required. What is it - a cube, a star, something more unusual? - Decide for you, twist as you want.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 4: Elliptical Gear - Oval Gears


The oval gear wheel is an elliptical mechanism without a central connection. When moving parts relative to each other, the center of movement will constantly change.

Simple, but frankly stupid toy, which is assembled from four separately printed parts.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 5: Toy Chain - Chain


It can be interesting - take all the filaments available to you and print out several parts from each one, and then connect them in as long a chain as your patience and desire are enough. It looks simple, but you can create many different forms by manipulating this toy. In addition, you will get a good sample to demonstrate the capabilities of your 3D printer in working with different materials.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 6: Trick Bolt Fidget - Fidget Bolt


The fidget bolt was invented by the same person who made the Rotating fidget ring described above. The original toy in the form of a bolt with two caps, on it sits a nut that can be rotated back and forth. The nut is limited to the bolt caps and will never be lost, because it is printed together with the bolt on a printer with two extruders. There is a key ring mount, so this is a good key chain.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 7: Gear Bearing - Gear Bearing


One of the most interesting models, a remarkable sample of the possibilities of 3D printing, is the Gear Bearing which is printed at once, all its parts rotate relative to each other. Some people like to turn it on the hex key, and especially crazy - with a drill to make these gears rotate really fast.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 8: Heart Gears - Mechanical Hearts


The work of the same designer as the gear bearing above. This model requires a small assembly, but the end result is interesting - the object consists of interconnected gears, together having a heart shape, when you turn any of them, the configuration of the model changes, but if rotated further, the original shape returns. Which is quite symbolic.



→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 9: Gyroscopic Relaxing Keyring - Relaxing Gyroscopic Keychain


Gyroscopes are quite popular in 3D printing - with proper skill and accuracy they can effectively demonstrate the skill of the author. But these trinkets are quite simple, almost anyone can print them, perhaps. Nice toy, but - if you periodically hold her hands - you will give out a constant ringing of keys.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 10: Nautilus Gears - Shell Gears


The design of this model is based on logarithmic spirals and the appearance of the marine mollusk Nautilus - the point of contact between gears, as they rotate, constantly “drifts” back and forth, like that mollusk in the ocean. Print several copies of different colors and give to your family and friends, they will be pleasantly surprised.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 11: Truchet Tiles - Fifteen


Truchet Tiles is a board game taking up little space. It is similar to the well-known game “15”, but with a pattern instead of numbers. The player can turn the chips otherwise for a different pattern. The peculiarity of this fidget is that it is a project to demonstrate the capabilities of 3D printers with double extrusion. Although, in a monochrome version, the toy will not lose its functions.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No.12: Coffin's Half Hour Cube - 3D Puzzle “Half an hour”


If you do not find it inconvenient to take along a fjjet from several separate parts, then this copy will take you a few pleasant minutes. It is assumed that at least thirty. This 3D-puzzle, resembling a small three-dimensional Tetris, many collect and longer.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 13: Ozo 1x2x3 Puzzle Bear - Ozo Puzzle


Ozo, perhaps the cutest and most tactile model in this review, is a toy bear, which is based on the Rubik's Cube principle. The number of elements is smaller, and they are different in shape, but its assembly takes some time, which makes this fjjet interesting not only for children, but also for their parents.



→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 14: Fully Assembled Ball Bearing - Ball Bearing


This full-featured ball bearing is great for playing, and its larger version will appeal to those who like to occupy both hands. The bearing is printed entirely, so the assembly is not required, although it may have to remove several supports.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 15: Snakez - Serpent


Model toy polyarticle snake, which is printed at a time and does not require assembly. Snakes twist and move very naturally. The author presents Snakez models of four sizes and you can choose which type to print - longer or smaller. As with the Fifters presented above, this design is also well suited for double extrusion.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 16: Cog Tri Spinner - Three Axle Gear


The Cog Tri Spinner creator uses skateboard bearings to create a spinning fidget that rotates smoothly and — perhaps more importantly — quietly. There are several designs to choose from, with some differences in texture and shape.

The model is distributed for free, you only need to purchase or remove bearings for it from the old skate. People who do not have a 3D printer and the ability to order a printout can buy this fidget on Shapeways (but there will not be bearings in the kit either).



→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 17: Magnetic Bisymmetric Hendecahedrons - Magnetic Hexahedrones


This is a desktop desktop widget or a good gift for a child. The toy is a designer consisting of 11-sided plastic polygons in which three-millimeter neodymium ball magnets are pressed. From the elements, you can make different shapes, because they hold each other well and rotate freely.

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 18: Twisting Links Fidget Spikes - Spike Tangle


Twisting Links Fidget Spikes is an analogue of the once very popular Tangle toy, consisting of segments turned relative to each other. This toy used to be used as a fidget, although the word has not yet existed. This version differs from the original and earlier copies in a smaller number of segments, more durable plastic and a more noticeable spiny surface texture.

Download at the moment, you can not. You can, if you live in the States, buy a printout on Shapeways

No. 19: The Swirl - The Twist


Another fjjet based on skateboard bearings. If you have not yet disassembled your skate to create the previous one, then you have a second chance. This design is slightly more compact than the Cog Tri Spinner, and comes with an additional cap-axle for more comfortable holding the bearing with your fingers.

Unlike the Cog Tri Spinner, this fidget is only available for purchase on Shapeways, but is available in a variety of colors.

Download now can not, but you can design something of your own. Or, if you live in the States, buy a printout on Shapeways

No. 20: Fully 3D Printed Fidget Cube


This fully 3D printed Fidget Cube analog can be printed in approximately 9 hours. It is equipped with a joystick, rotating disc, five wheels and nine buttons for your hands. Structurally different from the original, but in its own way is very interesting. A good opportunity to save money.

→ Can be downloaded on Instructables

No. 21: Money Spinner - Don't Lose Tiny


Another analogue of the Cog Tri Spinner, this time - as free as the original, but with more interesting functionality. The main difference is that only one bearing is installed in it (which is quite logical), and the space left at the ends of the rays is filled with coins. Available versions with different number of rays, from two to seven. In the original files, the versions are only for Australian, American, European, Canadian and Arabic coins, but this can always be corrected in the editor (or you can choose the appropriate local coins).

→ You can download on Thingiverse

No. 22: MakerBot Nut and Bolt - MakerBot Nut and Bolt


The simplest, but no less effective, fidget, which is a 3D printed nut and bolt that can be connected and disconnected, twisted in a hand and squeezed, feeling a textured surface. It would seem - nothing impressive, however - this toy already has hundreds of fans. Try it and you.

In addition: the process of printing this fidget and preparing for it is a good reason to practice in 3D.



→ You can download on Thingiverse

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