Image: MomJunction Design Team
Stress balls are specialized toys designed to let users squeeze and play with them. It is considered effective in stress relief for both adults and children. The best stress balls for kids could help them destress and regain their focus. Additionally, stress balls are also great at improving the strength of the fingers and arms.
Stress balls come in various options. In this post, let’s find the best stress balls for your little one.
Top Picks
Who Needs These Stress Balls?
Any person feeling stress or anxiety can use these stress balls. Squeezing the stress balls with your palm helps relieve anxiety and decrease stress. A stress ball is also considered a therapeutic tool that helps people manage stress by following the physical act of rolling, squeezing, or tossing the ball. Many feel these stress balls help them stay calm and focused. These balls also help manage anger and frustration.
9 Best Stress Balls For Kids
1. Best Multipurpose: Liberty Imports 24-Pack Mini Globe Soft Foam Stress Ball
This is a set of 24 squishy stress balls designed like a globe.
Pros
- Measures 2.5 inches in diameter
- Countries and water bodies are labeled
- Not too hard or soft
- Helps relieve stress and strengthen grip
- Multipurpose stress toy
- Attractive detailing
Cons
- May have an unpleasant smell when new
- May be slightly smaller than you expect
"I got these themed stress balls for their globe design, which combines education and fun for the kids. They have a foamy texture, and although some geographical details could be more accurate, they're wonderful tools for learning and stress relief."
2. Best Ergonomic: The Friendly Swede Hand Grip Strength Trainer
Children who fidget a lot, especially during stressful times, may find it easy to control their restlessness by squeezing this stress ball.
Pros
- Ergonomic oval design
- Tear-resistant and toxin-free
- Skin-safe thermoplastic rubber
- Easy to clean
- Vibrant colors
- Available in three sizes
- Suitable for children aged above five years
Cons
- Might be sticky
- May be slightly firm
"I love these egg-shaped stress balls for their unique shape and size, and they fit smaller hands easily. Also, the textured rubber design offers a good grip without being sticky."
3. Best For Muscle Relaxation: Neliblu Be Happy! Neon-Colored Funny Face Stress Ball
These balls with cute smiley faces can make little children smile and help reduce stress.
Pros
- Measures 2.5 inches in diameter
- Helps improve focus
- Helps release muscle tension
- Spongy and bouncy
- Sufficient quantity
Cons
- Might have an unpleasant odor when new
- Coating may peel off
"These foam stress balls are soft and the right size for my child's hands. They may not withstand extreme rough play, but the vibrant neon colors help keep children interested in the balls for long."
4. Best Hypoallergenic: Serenilite Hand Therapy Stress Ball Bundle
The parent-recommended bundle contains three ergonomic squeeze balls of varying densities–soft, medium, and hard. The gel stress ball helps relax your muscles, while the others help strengthen and condition your finger grip, movement, and hand and finger muscles.
Pros
- Tear-resistant gel core
- Sleek, non-stick fabric
- Helps alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel, arthritis, and more
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May be bigger than expected
- Stitching may be uneven
"I found these balls easy to grip and ergonomic. Available in three levels of squeezability, the harder options are most appropriate for older children. Moreover, their slip-resistant feature makes them all the more user-friendly."
5. Best Smiley-Faced: Neliblu Neon Yellow Funny Face Stress Balls
Little children love seeing smiley faces, and these smiley face featuring stress tools can entice a child with their neon yellow color.
Pros
- Measures two inches in diameter
- Engaging for children
- Helps relieve stress
- Suitable for children aged three and above
Cons
- May be slightly firm
"These therapeutic balls strike a balance between functionality and fun. The bright yellow color distracts little minds, adding to the balls' stress reduction factor. I found these pretty effective for my kid."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Do not miss out on this product that has earned 2,272 positive reviews on Amazon.
May have an unpleasant odor when new
6. Best Flexible: Selmuel Planet Balls
The set of ten stress balls is designed like the solar system and is suitable for fun learning and school projects. The balls are easy to use and can help calm your child down and reduce stress.
Pros
- Flexible
- Easy to clean
- Bright colors
- Suitable for adults as well
Cons
- May be big for some
- May not be bite-proof
"These planet-themed balls double as educational tools and stress relief toys. They are sturdy, easy to clean, and come with a handy storage bag, which I found pretty convenient."
7. Best Child-Safe: Big Mo’s Toys Emoji Stress Balls
What can be more exciting than a smiley stress ball for kids? The tried-and-tested pack of stress balls contains 12 units with different expressions that little children will love to play with.
Pros
- Three inches in diameter
- Attractive design
- Child-safe and non-toxic
- Multipurpose
Cons
- May not be squeezable enough
- May have an unpleasant smell when new
"These balls are a fine combination of softness and sturdiness, and the varied facial expressions offer a playful touch. They are also a hit during preschool activities."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 1,907 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Quick tip8. Best Latex-Free: Impresa Product Stress Relief Balls
No matter how much your child squishes or squeezes this time-tested ball, it will not break open.
Pros
- Measures 2.25 inches in diameter
- Available in three colors
- Helps improve concentration
- Helps calm nerves and reduce stress levels
- Tear-resistant and stretchable
- Non-toxic and hypoallergenic
Cons
- Might be sticky
- May be scented
"These stress balls came in handy during my son's doctor visits. They're durable with a comfy texture, though they can be a bit smaller than expected. Also, they are easy to clean."
9. Best Colorful: Rhode Island Novelty Stress Ball Toy Assortment
Children love chocolate and candy assortments, so imagine how happy they will be on seeing an assortment of stress balls.
Pros
- Available in various shapes and colors
- Measure two to three inches in diameter
- Suitable for children aged above three years
- Multipurpose
Cons
- Sizing might be an issue
- May not be very durable
"I like that we can use the balls for therapeutic purposes and casual play. Although the seams could have been more durable, the balls' diverse designs charm my little ones."
Do rememberHow To Choose The Right Stress Balls For Kids?
Choosing the best stress ball for kids can be daunting, especially when many options are available. Consider the below crucial factors.
- Material: Choose stress balls crafted from durable and soft material to ensure comfort to your child’s hands. It should be smooth to ensure optimal comfort and fit in your little one’s palm.
- Resistance: Choose stress balls with good resistance, mainly if you focus on strengthening fingers, wrists, hands, and joints. A squishy stress ball with adequate resistance can help strengthen the muscles, ease joint pain, and promote dexterity.
- Sensory features: Consider a ball with appealing visuals and texture to stimulate sensory skills. It helps calm the nervous system, keeping your child relaxed and stress-free.
Benefits Of Stress Balls
Here are some of the benefits of using stress balls.
- Help relax your muscles
- Strengthen hand and wrist muscles(1)
- Relieve arthritis pains in elders
- Improve the sleep quality and pattern
- Enhance concentration and creativity
- Boost blood circulation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do stress balls work for kids?
Stress balls help distract your child from overwhelming situations and keep them calm. They also help reduce tension and improve their focus.
2. Do stress balls help children with anxiety?
Yes, stress balls help relieve tension and anxiety (2). Squeezing a ball releases energy, making your child focus on breathing and staying relaxed.
3. Does a stress ball help with ADHD?
Stress balls can help your child stay calm. However, a child with ADHD would benefit more from using a fidget toy (3).
4. What is the squishy stuff in stress balls?
The squishy stuff inside the stress balls can be polyurethane foam, latex, or fabric.
6. What are some stress reliever toys?
Stress balls, fidgets, sculpting toys, puzzle toys, and chewy toys are some stress reliever toys (1).
7. What are the different types of stress balls?
Porcupine, squeeze, foam, gel, strength, and puffer stress balls are a few different types of stress balls.
The Bottom Line
The best stress balls can help alleviate stress in adults and kids, as squeezing a stress ball helps release muscle tension and makes you feel better. When choosing one for kids, check if it is made from durable materials and can fit in your child’s palms. Further, the ball must be expert-approved, BPA-free, odorless, and non-toxic. To encourage your little one to use the ball whenever they feel stressed, pick a tried-and-tested ball that is vibrantly colored or emits light. Our recommended picks on this list are the Serenilite Hand Therapy Stress Ball Bundle for being tear-resistant and hypoallergenic and the Big Mo’s Toys Emoji Stress Balls for their vibrant design and fun expressions. We would also suggest the Rhode Island Novelty Stress Ball Toy Assortment for its sheer variety.
Infographic: Advantages Of Using Stress Balls For Children
Stress balls are small, squeezable toys that help relieve stress instantly. They are a useful tool to calm down and keep the child from getting easily distracted, making them ideal for use at home or in the classroom. Read the following infographic to explore the benefits of stress balls for children.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Relieve Stress Play With Toys
https://www.stress.org/relieve-stress-play-with-toys - Effectiveness of Stress Balls in Reducing the Physiological Symptoms of Stress
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Effectiveness-of-Stress-Balls-in-Reducing-the-of-Alvarez-Day/35201e83c37edbdc976328bfe50ce8c5c54f9f1a - How “Fidget Toys” Are Helping Kids With ADHD
https://www.pacer.org/cmh/learning-center/parenting/support-adhd/fidget-toys.asp - Effectiveness of stress ball and relaxation exercises on polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test-induced fear and pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36526480/ - The effect on pain of three different nonpharmacological methods in peripheral intravenous catheterisation in adults.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29076581/
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have collated this list of the best kids’ stress balls that help children destress and regain focus. These balls are also effective in strengthening a child’s hand and finger muscles. Numerous reviewers on various e-commerce sites have expressed that these balls are good quality and their features add a fun element. We have also provided a brief description of each product, highlighting their features to help you make your pick easily.
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