While walking through Barnes & Nobel, Grey Burnett, senior, finally found what she’d been searching for, a NeeDoh.There were two kinds left and she bought both: the mini NeeDoh Nice Cube and Dream Drop.

With more than 23 kinds of NeeDohs that have a variety of textures, sizes and shapes, these fidgets have been increasing in popularity among students making them sometimes difficult to find in store.

“It distracts my brain and helps me focus,” Burnett said.

Though it may sound contradicting, Sarah Zenthoefer, Child Development teacher, said when students’ hands are busy, it allows their minds to focus on what’s going on around them.

“It does help kids of all ages and even adults to just have something to give a little bit more tactile and sensory attention to,” Zenthoefer said.

Zenthoefer said at the pre-school level, some of the kids chew gum to help stay seated in their spots.

A guest speaker in Zenthoefer’s Child Development 2 class brought a bag of fidgets for each student to use while she presented, and Zenthoefer said her students were able to pay attention a lot better.

“I don’t think people realize how much these things are beneficial until someone around them has it,” Zenthoefer said.

Leah Barnes, junior, has been using fidget toys since she was 10 years old.

Barnes said she has around 15 NeeDohs and she’ll often bring multiple with her to school so she can share with her friends.

“I need to have my hands busy, so I just gravitated toward NeeDohs,” Barnes said.

Jahnavi Immidisetti, junior, got her first NeeDoh from her uncle in fifth grade, and she’s been collecting them ever since.

Immidisetti said that the fidget gained popularity due to its online presence.

“I love how everyone knows about it now, so I don’t look like that weird kid bringing squishes to school,” Immidisetti said.