SILLY BANDZ, THE NEW KID CRAZE

Distraction, cutting off circulation, expensive. These are some of the reasons from adults to discourage kids from wearing Silly Bandz.

But how did this fad come to be? In 2002, a Japanese company designed a stronger elastic band, added was the ingenuity of an Ohio businessman. Robert Croak found that adding silicone allowed an elastic band to keep its shape. His Toledo-based company trademarked the name, Silly Bandz, and the sales took off, particularly among elementary-age kids. Ranging from $3 to $5 for a pack of 12 or 24, these bracelets are considered the newest fad and come in multiple colors and shapes. After the original Silly Bandz became popular other brands cropped up, including Stretchy Shapes, Silly Bands (with an “s”), Zany Bandz and Rubba- Bands.

Y-Press went to the IUPUI Sports Complex to interview six kids who were attending a week-long camp. For these kids, the bandz are just fun to trade, wear and collect.