The number one kids’ toy for the summer, the one it seems every child is going mad for, is here. And it seems to be available all over Preston, in almost every corner shop!
Little elastic bands that need to be woven together to make a band or bracelet – the loom band.
Although loom bands have been available for several years for some reason the toy has become huge this season with unprecedented demand.
Packs can be bought from £1 upwards. We recently noticed 600 for a pound at Poundland and 3000+ kits of rainbow bands for £14.99
We have heard shops selling thousands of kits recently with parents mostly astounded by the new craze. There are even helpful YouTube videos showing how to create the bands (you are going to need small fingers). Corner shops and newsagents in Preston have started stocking them, some with hastily notices written on bits of old cardboard!
We have read reports where loom bands are making up to 30% of sales, that’s a nationwide figure as well. Even Pope Francis was seen sporting a loom band this month!
The craze is popular with boys as well as girls, but the sudden surge in popularity has puzzled everyone. Part of this may be down to the low cost of start up kits.
One young person we spoke to said making the bands are addictive, you just have to keep making them, and in all the different colours.
Manufacturers are now introducing themed kits to ensure the craze continues. Being grown-ups, we are not entirely sure what loom bands are all about but this is what we do know:
First introduced to the world by Cheong Choon Ng in 2010, more than three million loom band kits have been sold so far. The bands are perceived as a positive toy (gets them away from the TV – unless they are watching the ‘how to do it’ videos) and come in hundreds of colours, with some scented ones..
What do you think of the loom band craze? Have you seen the bands on sale near you? Have you bought or made any bands yourself? Let us know below