Silly Bandz: This year’s kid craze

This year’s biggest kid craze has got to be all those funny shaped silicone bands from Silly Bandz and other companies. My 7-year-old son has gone to school with a dozen or more of the brightly colored bands around his wrist. They come in numerous shapes (animals, sports, vehicles, etc.) and colors. Some are glow-in-the-dark and others are scented. Kids collect them and trade them. They’re sold in themed packs of 12 for about $2.50 or 24 for about $5. Some schools have banned them from classrooms as a distraction, which has only added to their appeal, according to the New York Times. A handful of companies sell competing products under such names as Silly Bandz, Zanybandz, Crazy Bandz and BandzMania. Come fall the Silly Bandz craze may have run its course, just like other kids’ crazes like Webkinz, Beanie Babies, Tamagotchi, Pogs, and Pokemon cards. When I was a kid, humorous sticker cards like Wacky Packages and Odd Rods were hot. Baseball cards were a big deal too. Photo: My son’s forearm wrapped in Silly Bandz.