Help me give my students materials to create their own squishy fidgets to relieve anxiety and improve focus and support mental health.
$693 goal
This project expired on November 4, 2025.
This project expired on November 4, 2025.
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
How can you invert a 3D shape? Which shapes are best suited for making hand-held squishy toys? What kind of artwork or packaging might attract a specific target market to a squishy...and how can conduct user testing to learn if our hypotheses are correct?
With these materials, students in a high school Digital Arts class can start a "Fidget Factory" to help fulfill our community need across campus to put stimulating sensory objects into the hands of students, so we can support can support their focus, emotional regulation, and stress relief.
How? Squishy fidgets provide tactile and proprioceptive input, which can calm the nervous system and improve attention. The repetitive squeezing motion helps release built-up tension and can reduce anxiety, frustration, or overstimulation. Research shows that sensory tools like these can help students self-regulate and stay engaged—particularly for those with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing challenges.
When paired with guidance, students can use squishy fidgets to help them recognize when they’re disregulated. Over time, this builds self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Giving our students more access to squishy fidgets shows we value mental wellness and understand the body-brain connection.
Through hands-on making and iteration, Digital Arts students will explore which forms feel best in the hand, appeal visually, and 'survive' the manufacturing process. Students will design custom packaging or artwork for a target market, then conduct interviews or user tests to gather feedback. This process will help them learn how to evaluate shape, function, and design appeal—while testing their assumptions about what makes a squishy toy fun, satisfying, and marketable. These are relevant 21st-century design and engineering skills.
The DIMETHICONE Oil and corn starch (and mineral spirits) are softening agents for the Pixiss Silicone; Release Spray prevents the materials from bonding. Pigments give color, and gloves keep students safe and tidy.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
120 students impacted
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Pixiss Silicone Mold Making Kit (2 Gallon) Liquid Rubber Bubble Free Translucent Clear Silicone-Mixing Ratio 1:1-Molding for Resin Molds, Molds DIY (8.4kg/296oz Kit)
• Amazon Business
$119.99
1
$119.99
Pixiss Silicone Mold Making Kit (2 Gallon) Liquid Rubber Bubble Free Translucent Clear Silicone-Mixing Ratio 1:1-Molding for Resin Molds, Molds DIY (8.4kg/296oz Kit)
• Amazon Business
$119.99
1
$119.99
Schneider Blue Vinyl Synthetic Exam Gloves, Large, Case of 1000, 4-mil, Powder-Free, Latex-Free, Non-Sterile, Disposable Gloves
• Amazon Business
$58.99
1
$58.99
Earthborn Elements Corn Starch 2 Gallon Bucket, Thickening Agent, Cooking & Baking Staple, Cleaning
• Amazon Business
$41.97
1
$41.97
33rd Parallel | DIMETHICONE Oil (32 oz) 100% Pure, Cosmetic Grade | Widely Used in Moisturizers, Lotions, Primers, Foundations, Hair Products, Sunscreen, Wound Care | 32 Ounces
• Amazon Business
$37.99
1
$37.99
Reynolds 912 Foodservice Clear Plastic Wrap Film, 15 inch Width, 2000 Feet
• Amazon Business
$28.07
1
$28.07
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits - 33.8 oz
• Blick Art Materials
$22.36
1
$22.36
Taba Squishy Liquid Silicone Pigment - 20 Color Paint Kit for Squishy Maker and Silicone Molds (10ML*20)
• Amazon Business
$18.98
1
$18.98
ForPro Professional Collection Embossed Foil Sheets 900S, Aluminum Foil, PopUp Dispenser for Hair Color Application and Highlighting, Food Safe, 9” W x 10.75” L, 500 Count
• Amazon Business
Silicone Rubber Pigment - 8 Colors Liquid Silicone Coloring Dye for Silicone Mold Making, Molding and Casting - Vibrant Silicone Color for Resin Molds Making, Statues DIY Manual Making - 10ml Each
• Amazon Business
$9.88
1
$9.88
500 Pcs Small Plastic Bags, Small Bag, Mini Baggies, Jewelry Bag Clear Plastic, 5 Assorted Sizes, Resealable Poly Bags for Pill, Storage, Candy, Packaging
• Amazon Business
$5.99
1
$5.99
Materials cost
$495.89
Vendor shipping charges
$9.95
Sales tax
$45.37
3rd party payment processing fee
$7.44
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$588.65
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$103.88
Total project goal
$692.53
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mx. B and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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