Kids of all ages keep Silly Bandz in demand

Retailers and teachers say they're the biggest craze since Webkinz or Beanie Babies. Parents say they're cheaper and healthier than video games. And kids say they're a whole lot of fun to show off and swap.

"I have a sun and a seal and a pig and a dog and a dinosaur," said middle school student Ally Hibbert of Tampa, holding out her wrist.

The bright, stretchy bracelets known as Silly Bandz, Crazy Bandz or Zanybandz are catching on in classrooms from preschool to college. Lauren Martinez of Tampa has more than 50 bracelets, mostly animal shapes.

Teachers and administrators are learning to set limits on the bands, which students sport from wrist to elbow. Hillsborough County schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said restrictions on the bands, like any toy, are made at the school level.

Schools like Westchase Elementary and the Sam Rampello Downtown Partnership School have restricted trading to lunchtime and before and after school.

"We just have boundaries as far as when they can trade them so they have to do it during noninstructional time," said Liz Uppercue, Rampello principal.

Local stores report difficulty keeping up with demand, and the craze is even sweeping into shopping centers.

At International Plaza, Johna Rawls and her husband recently opened a stand-alone kiosk called BandzAmania devoted to selling the bands. Rawls is holding "swap parties" every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

Even parents admit to getting caught up in the enthusiasm. Christine Richardson scoured the packets at BandzAmania for hard-to-find bands Thursday afternoon. She said she's purchased more than 150 bands for her two children.

Terry Riley of Tampa has another reason for buying the bands for her 8-year-old twins. It keeps them away from video games.

"It provides them an opportunity to be involved in a hobby they like and be social, and they just love it," Riley said.