We were warned.
Rainbow Loom is taking youth culture by storm in a way not seen since Silly Bands. And we were warned.
But unlike those passive shape-based rubber bands, shapes that, regardless of how clever in the package and on the floor waiting to be vacuumed up, take on the classic circular nature of all wrist-accessories that have paved the way, Rainbow Loom is an active, um, activity, one that can foster creativity and craftiness in children. And the price point isn’t stupid. I dig it. But not half as much as my girls. Although I seem to be wearing more of their creations than they are.
Still, we were warned. The popular hobby is addictive and can get expensive. We laughed knowingly. We had no idea.
There is a loose exclusive between Rainbow Loom and Learning Express right now and that is where we bought our first Rainbow Loom kit. On our way to a $1 art class at a gallery inside the mall, we passed our local Learning Express. In fact, we were going in there to look for those big, value-sized $4.99 Melissa & Doug sticker books but walked away with a Loom kit too, thanks largely to the employee who gave the girls each a bracelet she had made like a crafty drug dealer getting kids hooked on the good stuff with a free taste.
The Bear used $17 of her own money on her Rainbow Loom that day. And then $11 more on rubber band packs (rainbow mix and white glow-in-the-dark) from MonkeyFish Toys today.
The Mouse has also used her own cash to buy a Rainbow Loom.
Yes, we have two looms and already over 40 bracelets and rings floating around the house. It’s a bit much, it is, but if their summer ends up being defined by handmade rubber band bracelets, rings, stuffed animal leashes, and miscellaneous jewelry, so be it. They are active, while seated, and are challenging themselves to master increasingly difficult patterns through how-to-Rainbow-Loom videos they are watching and re-watching.
So I will warn you too, because that is what we adults do. But fear not, this is a good thing. This is a good thing that you should embrace. Hell, you’ll probably get some sweet accessories out of the deal.
The Bear working hard to master the art of the Rainbow Loom.
One of the Bear’s first bracelets was a simple single loom in an FC Barcelona color pattern for me.
She then quickly moved on to a more complex pattern, the Triple Single, again in an FC Barcelona color scheme.
The Triple Single is proving a favorite. Here’s my brand new Catalonia-flavored bracelet just finished tonight. This one will go perfectly with my new FCB t-shirt. Oh my god, I am color-coordinating jewelry. What’s happening to meeeeee???? 🙂
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