I like the idea of Silly Putty, too...and you know, if you smear Silly Putty over newspaper comics and peel it back up again, the pictures will come up on the Silly Putty.
...Anyway, somethings I like to stim with are small plushies (like one that fits in a hand) or small plastic or flocked toys. My Calico Critters cat is perfect for this. It also helps that they're all items that I associate a feeling of safety and security with.
ETA: I love those kneaded erasers, too - whenever we used them in art class, I always got in trouble for molding my erasers into little animal shapes instead of doing my work.
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I wish Sterling Holloway narrated my life.
"IT'S NOT FAIR!" "Life isn't fair, Calvin." "I know, but why isn't it ever unfair in MY favor?" ~ from Calvin and Hobbes