Goo
Press and pull to stretch a gooey string. Put down two fingers and stretch goo between them. Pull too far and it snaps and drips. Choose slime green, clear dribble, bubblegum, galaxy or ocean.
Free tool · for stimmers of every age
Stim Studio: goo, webs and alien hands
Lots of children love the feel of stretchy, sticky things, and moving their hands and fingers in front of their eyes. They make spider hands, alien hands, or look like they're downloading something only they can see. This is a screen space for that. Stretch gooey strings between your fingers, shoot spider webs, or hold your hand still and receive a download.
Works best on a tablet or touch screen. You can use two or more fingers at once. Sound is off unless you turn it on. Nothing leaves this device.
Press and pull. Try two fingers at once.
The three modes
Web hands
Swipe to shoot a web in that direction. It sticks to the edge, and you can pull and twang it. Tap to shoot a web from your wrist. Build up a whole web, then press Clear.
Alien hands
Move your hands to bend and swirl the world. Hold a finger still and a download starts flowing in. When it reaches 100%, you get a new power. Use more fingers to link them with energy.
For grown-ups: why stims like these matter
Stimming is how many people, especially autistic and ADHD people, calm down, focus, show joy and make sense of the world. Playing with saliva or snot is often about touch: the stretch, the stickiness, the cool wet feel. Spider hands, finger flicking and "alien" movements in front of the eyes are often visual stims. They can look like a child is controlling something, and to them, in a way, they are. These stims are usually soothing and meaningful, not naughty.
This page gives the same feel on a screen. It's one option alongside real-world sensory play, not a replacement for it. If a stim is causing harm, or hygiene is a worry, the aim is to find a swap that gives the same feeling, not to stop the stim.
Real-world swaps that feel similar
- Gloop2 cups of cornflour and 1 cup of water in a tray. Runny when you tip it, solid when you squeeze. Add a drop of food colouring.
- Slime or puttyShop-bought or homemade. Great for stretching between fingers. Supervise young children so it doesn't go in mouths.
- Gel bagHair gel in a zip-lock sandwich bag, taped shut. All of the squish and none of the mess. Good for school bags.
- Foam trayShaving foam or whipped cream on a tray or mirror. Draw in it, squish it, wipe it clean.
- Light and handsA torch, fairy lights or a light-up wand to wave in a dark room, for children who love watching their hands move.
- Chewy or wetA chew necklace, a cold flannel or a water play tray, for children who seek mouth or wet feelings.
If you're worried about a stim, an occupational therapist, your school SENCo, health visitor or GP can help you look at sensory needs. Keep wipes nearby, and wash hands after play.
Tell me what would help. Does your child stim in a way that isn't here yet? Tell me and I'll try to build it. Send feedback.
A play and regulation tool. It is not therapy and doesn't diagnose anything.