Rainbow Loom

Rainbow Loom

 All the craze for the past couple of years, the Rainbow Loom requires concentrated focus on fine motor and visual perceptual skills while you work. A great activity for the right person, a real frustration if these skills are underdeveloped.

The instruction sheet shows several basic bracelet patterns that you can make over and over, changing colors or adding charms (separate purchase) for a different look. YouTube is loaded with patterns for jewelry and small animals. I have worked off patterns from YouTube in therapy and it has worked well, as you can watch exactly what the individual does and stop it anywhere you want or replay. I also watch the video beforehand to make sure it is appropriate for the individual so I don't set anyone for failure.

Contents of box.

The pieces in my set are all plastic. The tip of the tool on the set pictured above is metal, which would be even better I would think. To proceed, place the rubber bands on the loom as shown on the pattern. Once the loom has all the rubber bands in place, the real work will start. Using the tip of the tool to pick up rubber bands, you will stretch them from one peg to another. There may be several rubber bands on each peg and you may have to pick up a rubber band from the middle or even the bottom of a stack. Using different colors will allow you to quickly isolate the band you need to move.

You will have to work carefully, as a misplaced band or a dropped band can cause a lot of grief, possibly even requiring you to start over. After all that work, even the most patient person might want to give up. That being said, it is actually a fun activity and a great therapy challenge for the right person. And the best part is that after you are done, you will have something fun and wearable to show for it. If you want more information on how to use the loom, check out a video on YouTube.

Try this:

• Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, figure ground, spatial relations, manual dexterity, tool use, fine motor precision, eye-hand coordination, thinking skills, following directions, sequencing, thumb opposition, pincer grasp, finger strength, concentration, leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Loom, hook, rubber bands, instruction sheet
Ages 8+

 
If you are interested in purchasing this or just want more information, click on the image below.