Rainbow Loom Patterns: Everything a mom needs to know about looming!

Rainbow Loom Fast Facts

The Rainbow Loom craze is definitely on. Kids and parents alike are hooked on weaving colorful and intricate bracelets and trinkets on their looms. Haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet? These fast facts, techniques and designs are all you need to know to get started on your first Rainbow Loom creation.

Parent-made, kid-approved!

Rainbow looms were invented by a dad! Malaysian dad, Choon Ng, worked as a crash-test engineer at an automobile company. He created Rainbow Loom because he wanted to be able to make bracelets with his daughters, but his fingers were too big.

How it works

Bracelets and other designs are made by wrapping colorful rubber bands around the pegs on a plastic loom. This is done with the help of a hook. Following different patterns, the bands formed elaborate designs once they are pulled off the loom.

Getting started

Excited to begin creating colorful masterpieces? You will need several colors of rubber bands, a plastic loom and a hook to get started. Loom kits are available at leading toy stores such as Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, Rustans and Toy World.

Several online stores selling loom kits have also emerged on Facebook, including Rainbow Looms Philippines. You can also buy online at the Rainbow Loom Philippines website.

Online Tutorials

Finding Rainbow Loom tutorials online is easy. A quick search on YouTube will lead you to a whole collection of loom videos. Instructions are also available on blogs and on the Rainbow Loom website.

Bracelets for beginners

Many Rainbow Loom beginners start with simple bracelets. Some popular designs are the fishtail the inverted fishtail and quad fish. These can be done in one or multiple colors.

Photo source: TheHappyMrsT

Beyond bracelets

Mastered making bracelets out of loom bands? Try making charms that you can use as key chains or bag decorations. If you feel like experimenting even more, you can even create action figures and small bags. These advanced designs often require more than one loom to be used at a time.

Photo and pattern found on Loomlove.com

Rainbow Loom benefits

Many parents are glad to have their kids choosing to spend more time looming than playing with electronics and gadgets. This activity helps kids become more organized, patient and resourceful. Bracelet making also boosts creativity and helps to sharpen fine motor skills.

Reading and math skills are enhanced through looming, too. Children get to practice reading and following instructions, as well as counting and pattern building.

Looming together as a family

Making loom band creations is something that can be done as a family. Parents and kids can collaborate on designs and color choices. It provides a great bonding opportunity, with each one giving his or her creative input. In mommy blogger Louise Fandino’s house, it’s her boys who bond over Rainbow Loom!

Rainbow Loom bracelets as giveaways or holiday gifts

Bracelets and other trinkets made out of loom bands are great to give away as party favors. They also make thoughtful handmade gifts that your children can give to relatives and friends during the holidays.

Photo source: Ma.Me.Mi.Mommy

Rainbow Loom safety

It is important for adults and kids to exercise caution when using Rainbow Loom. The rubber bands may be a choking hazard for small children and pets. Adult supervision and proper storage is recommended. Also, be vigilant with the loom kits that you buy.

Several cheaper brands have emerged, and these may have sharp edges on the plastic loom. The rubber bands included in the set also are more brittle and may snap and cause accidents.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Written by

Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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