Rubber Bandz, also known as Silly Bandz, Crazy Bandz and Zany Bandz are one of the latest crases for kids in 2010. Designed as a collectable and swappable toy/accessory in the same spirit as friendship bands these trendy bendy bracelets are causing a stir with kids of all ages.

So what are Rubber Bandz?

In essence they are simply thick rubber bands moulded to different shapes, basically any shape you can think of and generally take the form of a noticeable silhouette. So when lying flat on a surface, a band may look like the outline of a dinosaur, butterfly, rock star or famous cartoon character.

They are designed to be collectable and swappable while inexpensive at the same time so easy for kids to build up a collection and trade spares with friends. They are made of moulded silicone and there are a number of companies getting on the trend bandwagon so the quality of the band may vary between brands.

The more reliable brands use a higher quality so silicone so keep their color and shape longer. Remember these are designed to be stretched and in most cases worn. So when kids remove them from their arm they want to be able to show their friends the original shape of the band, not some amorphous rubber band.

The bands are generally harmless and their low price point won't break the bank account, but for parents there are a few points to keep in mind. Generally, silicone contains PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) so as far as I can find out the bandz aren't biodegradable.

Some parents and teachers have also noted the potential for the bands to affect arm circulation when kids are wearing many of them at one time, so keep an eye on how many your child wears and how tightly they fit. Wearing the bandz at night when sleeping is not a good idea.

Rubber Bandz are a cheap way for kids to connect with other kids, interact and learn about trading and scarcity and there are always good and bad things about that in peer groups such as schools.