Best Desk Toys

Decking out your desk with fun knick-knacks can provide a little workspace levity. A well-placed desk toy or two can offset stressors with a touch of character.

(Image credit: @Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash)

Let's face it, sometimes your daily grind can be stressful, but your workspace doesn't have to be. Simply dressing your desk with a couple of fun tchotchkes will add a little character to your 9-to-5 destination. There are plenty of desk toy options to achieve that light-hearted atmosphere, the subject matter ranging from silly and pop culture-related to stress relief. Though there are plenty of desk toys to make your space special, we've collected the perfect assortment. So, get to it, compliment your computer set-up with the mood-lifting accessories it deserves.

(Image credit: Running Press)

Running Press RP Minis Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy

Reasons to buy

+
Dealership vibes

You've probably seen a friendly face like this one outside a car dealership or two on your travels. Why not make this inflatable marketing mascot a part of your desk layout? This small inflatable tubular guy fills with air to wave in all of the good vibes with a cheerful disposition. Your potential desk mate's air-filled moves are made possible by a working battery-operated fan. And, don't worry, you won't be strangers for long. Your new tiny acquaintance is accompanied by an equally tiny informational book.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Small Fish Infinity Cube Fidget Toy

Reasons to buy

+
Ultimate stress saver 

Sometimes excess stress and anxiety is distracting, but you can channel nervous energy with this relaxing fidget cube. This compact cube is comprised of eight blocks, shaped in sturdy plastic and linked by metal rivets. The smooth rivets offer fluid movement helping the connected blocks fold and unfold to help you focus. At it's largest, this fidget device measures 3.1-by-5 inches. With such a small profile, it won't take up much room on your desk. So, why wouldn't you want to keep this useful square at arms-length?

(Image credit: Amazon)

Running Press RP Minis The Screaming Goat

Reasons to buy

+
The one to bleat

Surely you've heard the shrill sounds of a shrieking goat in plenty of YouTube videos. You can capture the unexpected hilarity with this mini screaming goat figure. This boisterous goat is poised mid-yell and perched atop a stump, demanding attention and laughs. With a simple push, it comes alive, releasing a hearty shout. As you might imagine, this noisy goat as a lot to say, so much that it also comes with a pocket guidebook. Placing this goat on your desk is the perfect way to inject a little humor into your workday.

(Image credit: Buddha Board)

Buddha Board The Original Buddha Board

Reasons to buy

+
Zen sketches

You can let go of stress and harness your creativity with this desk-ready artboard and stand. The Buddha board, measuring 12-by-9.5 inches, is a serine canvas designed to capture the soothing painterly strokes of your sketches. Each sketch, made with the included bamboo brush, is meant to be temporary because the medium is water, not ink or paint. Your stress will evaporate with every doodle because this board seeks to offer relaxation by providing a new beginning and a blank slate once the water dries.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Toysmith Deluxe Zen Garden

Reasons to buy

+
Serine and sandy

Rake and brush away workday stress with this serine zen garden. This desk-sized, 9-by-9 inch, sand-filled garden is the perfect item to achieve meditative bliss during the workday. It's shaped in warm rosewood accompanied by a matching bamboo rake and broom. These tools can be swept across the sand to draw replenishing meditative patterns. This garden also includes polished stones and two cranes for additional atmosphere, and a book of meditations to promote calm. Don't hesitate to make room on your desk for this soothing sandy square.

(Image credit: Amazon)

ScienceGeek Kinetic Art Asteroid

Reasons to buy

+
Desk space

Make room for a little space on your desk with this celestial-inspired kinetic desk toy. The tiered galaxy-inspired gadget swings, rings twisting and spinning to offer a mesmerizing display of kinetic movement. This battery-powered office accessory gives the relaxing illusion of perpetual motion as you work. The eye-catching gadget, measuring at 9.2-by-9.1-by-4.3 inches, is the perfect choice to provide your office space with a little something extra.   

No more desk distress

Most desks have the essentials a computer, monitor, mouse, mouse pad, and the like, but there are not-so-crucial items that can offer a little personality and make your workspace the place to be. Desk toys customize your down-to-business zone with a laugh or even a little relaxation. Our first choice when is the Running Press RH Minis Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy. This mini-sized air-filled companion will decorate your desk with joyous enthusiasm. This waving marketing mascot, popular with many car dealerships, will dance a little happy into the mundane. It's powered by a small battery-driven fan and comes with a tiny informational book.

If you're looking to relieve a little stress, the Buddha Board The Original Buddha Board is the perfect desktop addition. This artistic board captures doodles for a short time to calm your mind and release anxiety. Each temporary drawing, painted with a bamboo brush, is made with only water. As these drawings dry and erase, there is room for new strokes and a new beginning.

Staff Writer

Amy Kaspriskie loves words, often arranging handfuls to pen creative content for Future’s websites, like this one. She has over seven years of experience professionally authoring copy, primarily in the e-commerce realm, with specialties in home, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. You should also note that this speech-savvy lady lives for puns, alliteration, and (of course) the Oxford comma. When not feverishly typing, Amy is giving her beloved canine and roommate, Teddy, all the pets. 

Latest in Home Office
Gigi Hadid with a curled fringe wearing gold necklaces, in front of a black background with red and yellow writing
Gigi Hadid's office space is so sleek — designers love its elegant and practical solutions
Emily Blunt wearing a beige dress with a blonde up-do and John Krasinski wearing a black suit, bow-tie, and white shirt, in front of a black background
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski’s home office is “a space where industrial design meets personal warmth,” say interior designers
Hailey Bieber wearing silver dress
Hailey Bieber's Rhode office is "super chic and minimal" according to design pros
Narrow office ideas are useful to know. Here is a colorful home office with yellow curtains, wooden wall shelf with decor, pink patterned wallpaper with wall art, a navy blue office chair, a dark gray desk
7 narrow office ideas that will help you style an awkwardly-shaped workspace
A light gray home office desk with books on top of it and a brass table lamp on top of it, a pink wall behind it with three brown pampas grass stems with a cat to the right on a woven stand
Easy small office upgrades — 7 ways to zhuzh up your WFH space
Light wooden desk with green office chair, with books and laptop
Small office storage ideas — 15 ways to get the job done
Latest in Buying Guides
Three pictures - one of a mushroom plate on a brown tablecloth, one of an orange gingham napkin on black plates, and one of a glass next to a pumpkin dispenser
Looking for table decorations for fall? These 9 editor-backed options are beautiful choices
Three pictures of fall wreaths hung on wooden, light blue, and dark blue doors
The best fall wreaths — 9 pretty editor and shopper-approved picks
A dorm room with pink and white floral sheets, a white headboard, and a pink table lamp on a cream nightstand
I'm a former college student and I think these Pottery Barn Teen dorm essentials are super chic
Here are three of the best outdoor lanterns in white rectangles with gold frames - a cream domed lantern, five white circular paper lanterns, and a bright gold diamond shaped wall lantern
Best outdoor lanterns — 12 beautiful buys that will add a warm glow to your backyard
Walmart summer must-haves
The top 15 entertaining must-haves that’ll get your home ready for summer
Three candle warmers on beige background
Best candle warmers — 9 highly-rated buys for a safe and even burn