You can earn handheld items by completing certain mini-games in the Learning Labyrinth. You can also buy them from the Traveling Merchant.

After you earn or buy an item, follow the steps below to allow your avatar to carry the new handheld item.

Select the backpack icon.

Open the tab with the hand icon.

Drag the item into an available hand slot.

Your avatar can carry one item in each hand, so you can equip up to two handheld items at a time!