Loom Bands! How much have you spent on them so far?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Who's kids are going mad about Loom bands?

They're great for keeping the kids off the TV, xbox etc, and seem to be as popular with boys as much as girls but for the privilege of finding them everywhere around the house (and car!) we seem to be forking out quite a bit!

Has anyone found some really good sources of cheaper loom bands, charms and boxes to keep them in(!)?

Syrah

I was going to post a similar question! We are all addicted to then here (I'm actually the worst culprit) but I have found bands for 95p for 300. They're not as sturdy as the official ones but they do the job for what the kids need them to do! I did buy a cheap loom but it snapped after 2 goes so I have forked out for the proper original loom. I love this craze- as you say, it gets the kids off the iPad (and me off social networking!)
And I store my bands in and old I've cream tub. Searching for the right colour keeps them entertained for even longer ��

Violetta_2

I bought these from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/1800-Colourful-Loom-Bands-Clips/dp/B00FXPZFRU £1.60 for 1800, Amazon marketplace does seem to have some great deals, just make sure they are dispatched from UK or there might be a while to wait. also dd was doing it on her fingers & it was starting to hurt her so pulled 2 tines off a plastic fork I had left over from something or other & it works brill, she was really pleased with it.

shelley_crow

I've been buying 300 bands for £1 at Smyths, they also had a loom with 50 bands for £1. I've been storing bands in an old large yankee candle jar.

I've only mastered the fishtail bracelet, kuds are yet to get anywhere near

littleredhen

I go round the playground of the school I work in and pick up all the ones the kids have dropped, they're free;)

building_with_lego

Violetta wrote: »

I bought these from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/1800-Colourful-Loom-Bands-Clips/dp/B00FXPZFRU £1.60 for 1800, Amazon marketplace does seem to have some great deals, just make sure they are dispatched from UK or there might be a while to wait. also dd was doing it on her fingers & it was starting to hurt her so pulled 2 tines off a plastic fork I had left over from something or other & it works brill, she was really pleased with it.

I use a plastic fork with all four tines intact- you can then use two, three or four to make varyingly intricate patterns. Much better than the fingers and you can put it down and come back to it later.

Personally (I'm making bracelets for the children in my class as end-of-term gifts) I've spent about £7 or £8. My children have spent a lot more than that over the past few months; I suspect if we added it all up we'd have spent, as a family, somewhere around £30 :eek:

Rummer

We got screw storage boxes from poundland to store my DDs bands. They are divided into sections so one section for each colour and they were inexpensive.

I also gave her one of my crochet hooks to help her make her bands as the plastic hook that came with the loom was not very sturdy.

sillyme673

Our local market is really good 2 bags of 600 for £2. The Works is good and Yorkshire trading company as well. They also sell plastic tub separated in squares. I had a thread earlier about looms and someone posted a great little plastic drawer unit. Would link to it but not sure how.
My kids can now multi task and do looms and play online as well.
I'm pleased that even the boys are doing them. My DD taught my friends boys in 5 minutes. I can't do it, but my DH spent hours on you tube learning how so he could help them.:j

jackomdj

Probably £40, but we have been doing them since the beginning of the year and I have just ordered ready for our holidays (including beads and charms).

I love them. They are good for dexterity, sharing, following instructions etc. DD has made a few things using online tutorials, watching and pausing as she goes.

hgotsparkle

I don't know kids old enough to do these so I've just ordered myself a kit from Amazon for £1.35.

I've lost touch of my crafty side and I think I need something to keep myself entertained while OH watches the football instead of playing games on the tablet....

Melonade

I bought my son a kit for £1. He never got round to making me a bracelet though so I've just got 600 bands today from amazon (under £1 inc p&p) and used his board.

I'm now wearing 2 fishtail bracelets :T don't think I'll try anything more advanced than that because although it was fun to make I'm happy not to be trying to pause/play tutorials on YouTube :rotfl: