The Toy That “Bands” Our Kids Together

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There’s a toy that’s taken the nation by storm. It’s in many of your houses (and scattered across many of your floors). It manifests in bracelets and rings and charms and figures—in just about anything the imagination of its user beholds.

Do you know the item I’m talking about? If you don’t, you soon will. Its popularity demands it so.

Rainbow Loom®.

I learned of it through store displays. When we suggested it to Grandma as a good Christmas gift last year, I had no idea of the craze surrounding it. I just thought it looked like a good way to give the kids a creative outlet through the cold winter months—and a means of keeping them busy while most of their other toys were packed up for staging our house to sell and moving.

Little did I know this rubber band thing would carry them far beyond the cabin fever of winter. It continued as a primary pastime all through the summer, and there are no signs of a pending rejection.

Rainbow Loom, Rubber Band Looming, Hand-On Activities for Kids

Are your kids into Rainbow Loom? Are you? Even adults have been looped by rubber band mania. Grandmas creating for grandkids, moms creating with kids, and YouTubers creating for all who care to watch. Rainbow Loom is so crazy big, it makes me say, “Why didn’t I think of that?!”

In a technology-driven—and, you might say, a creativity-stunting—world, Rainbow Loom and its counterparts (Bandaloom, Cra-Z-Loom, and others.) have given kids a new art form—a hands-on activity that can be as electronically dependent as you want it to be.

Rainbow Loom® has connected my kids not only to favorite YouTube channels, but also to one another—and even to total strangers. Just like we moms can relate over a shared experience or sentiment, kids unite over like interests. Mine spend hours with their siblings, bonding as they’re banding, and my son can practically make a new best friend through a conversation about Rainbow Loom.

Rainbow Loom, Minions, Figures, Charms

It’s true, he and his sister know almost all there is to know about looming. They memorize the stitches, they perfect the techniques, they imitate the best tutorials, and they dream of taking their personal designs to a YouTube channel of their own. (So far, I’m saying no to that one. I don’t want to be dream squasher, but I’m also not sure I want them to enter the World Wide Web to such a degree just yet.)

Since that won’t be happening for a while, I guess they’ll have to share their rubber band looming love with the world through me.

The LEGO Movie, Rainbow Loom Figures

So what does a novice need to know? I’ve asked the experts, a.k.a. Abel (8) and Amariah (7), and here’s what they had to say.

Q: Rainbow Loom® or Bandaloom™—which product is better?

A: The Loom: It’s a tie. Bandaloom looms are easier to connect to make longer or wider looms, but Rainbow Loom looms can be adjusted into several different positions and seem to be stronger.

The Hook: Rainbow Loom’s metal hooks are the best, but even Rainbow Loom’s plastic hooks are better than hooks from other brands.

The Kit: The Rainbow Loom kit comes in a box, but the Bandaloom kit comes with a nice, plastic carry/storage case and includes almost twice as many bands.

Rainbow Loom, Bandaloom, Loom Bands, Metal Hook, Product Comparison

Q: Off-brand rubber bands—do they work, or are they junk?

A: If you’re going to get an off-brand, go with Loom Bands. They hold up just as well as Rainbow Loom bands. One advantage to buying some of both brands is that they come with different clips. Rainbow Loom bands come with C-clips, and Loom Bands come with S-clips. It’s nice to have some of each for different types of projects.

(Note from Mom: Abel used some birthday money to buy this Loom Bands Refill Mega Value Pack from Amazon [note that this product is subject to price fluctuations] and got twice the bands for his money as compared to Rainbow Loom bands.)

Q: Accessories—what items will enhance the looming experience—and the creations?

A: Seed Beads, Pony Beads and Star Pony Beads, Perler Beads, paper clips, toothpicks, dental floss, wooden skewers, a black Sharpie, scissors, a second hook

(Disclaimer: These ideas are not our own. They are all things we have learned from watching various YouTube tutorials.)

Q: YouTube channels and tutorials—which ones are best?

A: Some of our favorites are DIY Mommy, PG’s Loomacy, Made by Mommy, Elegant Fashion 360, MarloomZ Creations, and Justin’s Toys. For bracelet tutorials, the official Rainbow Loom channel is best. The best beginner tutorial for action figures is PG’s Loomacy’s Making a Basic Action Figure on the Rainbow Loom.

Where to Buy (Locally)

Rainbow Loom® can be purchased at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books in Urbandale and at Michaels. Bandaloom™ is sold at Toys R Us.

Rainbow Loom, Elephant, Charm, Figure

Let’s Discuss….

Do your kids “rainbow loom”? What tips or favorites would they like to share with the rest of us? (Oh, and what ideas do you have for keeping those bands picked up?)

4 COMMENTS

  1. Brenna has been “looming” (Rainbow Loom) since last Christmas, as well. I let her have a Pinterest account so she could save and group loom projects in one place. Give her a YouTube video and her loom and she is set for the afternoon. I bought Caelan a Cra*Z*Loom this past summer. It’s a bit longer, and doesn’t separate like the Rainbow Loom. We haven’t had any issues with it and the bands seem just as sturdy. At Target we purchased a few Expressions DIY loom kits – glow in the dark bands and tie-dye bands; both came with charms. Haven’t had an issue with these.

    • My almost seven year old boy can do this on his own. He has watched a few videos and we made some bracelets and figures together and now he is in his room all by himself making up his own creations. My four year old can make his own bracelet by placing the bands on the loom. Both of them need a bit of help to loom them. I love they can be independent with this but also it gives us something to do together!

    • I’m not sure what Rainbow Loom claims to be the minimum age, but my twins were able to do simple bracelets at age 4 1/2. It didn’t (and still doesn’t) hold their attention for as long as it does the older two, though. My older daughter was 6 1/2 when we got our looms, and she started following YouTube tutorials for more advanced designs (including charms and figures) and looming independently almost immediately. Based on my kids alone, I’d say 4 for the minimum age… unless your expectations are higher–then I’d say 6. Hope that helps!

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