12 Best Desk Toys to Instantly Make Your Work Space More Fun
Ease stress with these office-friendly puzzles and games.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Let's get one thing out of the way: The best desk toys shouldn't distract you from finishing a report, outlining a presentation, or handling day-to-day business. The right game, puzzle, or fidget toy should actually make your work day more productive by easing your stress and allowing you to better focus on the tasks at hand. These top picks, which range in price, style, and function, all have two key factors in common: They're compact and seriously fun to play with. In fact, these small (but mighty) desk toys don't take up too much of your precious work space. Many of these best-selling options are also portable, which means you can take them to and from work, if you can't bear to leave your office with a half-solved puzzle.
Whether you're looking for a fun way to de-stress with colleagues or find your workday stress to be overwhelming at times, consider adding these top-selling toys to your space. Best of all: Many of these desk toys double as a decor, so you can spruce up your office at the same time. Win-win.
Buddha Board The Original Buddha Board
Just add water to turn this blank canvas into your own zen masterpiece. And if you're really in a pinch, you can also use it as a makeshift note pad.
What Reviewers are Saying: "I love the concept of letting go. It's a great gift for anyone, especially a friend (of any age) who is going through a rough time."
Tech Tools Desktop Punching Ball
Whether you're frustrated with yourself, coworkers, or your growing to-do list, let it all out by punching this durable spring punching ball that suctions right onto your desk.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "I have had the punching ball for over 10 months now and it still works great. Coworkers frequently come to my office to take a swing at it, and it is definitely an office favorite."
Configure the 36 colorful blocks into the shape of your choice and then let it light up your workspace. Like Legos, but bigger and brighter.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "My son always wants toys that he can 'do things with.' This is excellent for creativity and expanding logic."
Be Good Company "A Day at the Beach" Sandbox
When you're knee-deep in work, groom the pearly white sand with a rake and pretend that you're in paradise. Or simply use it as a reminder to book your next beach vacation.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "All in all, it's a delightful 'little world in a box' gift that you'll enjoy looking at every day once everything it's setup and the sand is raked to your liking."
RELATED: Best Apps for People With Anxiety
Perfect for your indecisive colleague, this swinging ball will help them land on their decision, similar to the style of a Magic 8-Ball.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "The stresses of making life decisions are now a thing of the past! No longer do I have to debate if I should accept a specific job offer (try again) or pursue my dream of owning a convertible Porsche (yes)."
This pocket-size toy is totally portable, which means you can carry it from room to room ... or meeting to meeting.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "The cube is very easy to maneuver into different shapes and, surprisingly, is somewhat addictive to play with."
Turn your summer camp favorite into a daily activity with this desktop-friendly rope and ball set. If you happen to be new to the game, this kit also comes with a mini book packed with trivia, rules, and the history of the tetherball.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "I was pleasantly surprised. The base has enough weight that it doesn't fall over easily and the pole is actually metal."
The options are endless for this multi-colored wooden toy. Kids and adults can manipulate the 20 spheres in a variety of different shapes and figures. Another bonus: It's easy to handle with arthritic hands.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "My husband took this to work to have on his desk and EVERYONE who stops by his office asks about them or plays with them. When he's stuck on something, he tries make a new configuration and it helps clear his head to come up with a solution."
Your dreams of becoming a professional basketball player (read: a basketball player with a professional job) can come true with this wooden toy. With this game, you can practice hand-eye coordination, while also taking a break from work.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "I'm not the best person at basketball and I think my skill with this game confirms it, but I did enjoy the challenge, and playing with it was fun. It's actually harder than it looks."
With a glass of hot water, this desktop beauty turns into the little engine that could. The wheel will keep turning as long as there's a temperature difference between the water and the machine itself.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "I am a 71-year-old scientist and this is the best toy I have ever received since my first chemistry set when I was 5 yeas old. The engine is as much a piece of art as it is a working demonstration of entropy."
Ease your stress by transforming these magnetized silver balls into just about anything, from dinosaurs to palm trees. No tools required — just brain power.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "They're so soothing and peaceful to play with. The magnetism is strong enough to create and hold interesting designs, but not so strong that they're difficult to work with."
A mind-boggling structure that has been around since ancient times, this wooden desk toy is a decorative accent and challenging puzzle all in one.
What Reviewers Are Saying: "It's fun for a quick brain break at the office or around the house. It's harder than I thought it would be, and it's small size might come in handy if we take it on a trip sometime."
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
The Best Standing Desks
The Best Home Office Desks
The Best Under Desk Bikes
12 Office Layout Ideas for Good Feng Shui
