Alex Toys Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Making Kit | 
| Brand: Alex Toys
Category: Toy
List Price: $27.00
Buy New: $17.85
as of 9/3/2010 15:50 MDT details
You Save: $9.15 (34%)
New (30) from $17.85
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 33
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 8 - 12 years
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 2.3 x 8.3 x 9.3
MPN: 737WX
Model: 737WX
UPC: 731346073716
EAN: 0731346073716
ASIN: B001OXRTX8
Release Date: March 1, 2009
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | It's a Friend-zy | | • | Makes 22 Friendship Bracelets | | • | 4 looms help you make 2 styles and 8 patterns of friendship bracelets | | • | Includes 22 colors of floss, beads, beading needle and more | | • | Colorful, convenient suitcase for keeping it all together |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This handy little suitcase holds hours of fun! Great for parties, rainy days, camp, scouts, and much more. Make friendship bracelets for everyone you know! Kit includes 2 styles, 8 patterns, 22 bracelets! This package contains 22 colors of floss (solids, variegated, and multi-colored), 2 double-sided color-coded foam friendship looms, 2 best double-sided color-coded foam friend band looms, beads in various colors, beading needle, detailed instructions, and it is all packed inside of a convenient 8-1/2" x 9-3/8" x 2" neon bright suitcase with a acetate window, snap closure and a carry handle for taking your bracelet making on the go! All contents conform to ASTM F963. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. WARNING: Choking Hazard-small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 24
Great friendship bracelet kit for granddaughter September 1, 2010
Dee (North Carolina)
My 11-year old granddaughter's current passion is friendship bracelets. This kit lit up her eyes the moment she unwrapped the gift and saw it. Has everything she needs to make varied, colorful bracelets.
 Too hard August 24, 2010
MC2 (St. Paul, MN United States)
I got this kit for my daughter's 8th birthday party. She is having three friends over, and we thought this would be a fun project for them to sit and do for a little while. We took it out today to try making a bracelet. The paper directions are really difficult to figure out, and the video online goes way too quickly over the tricky parts (moving strings right and then left, and moving the wheel counterclockwise). I watched the video several times, and I still can't get the process right. After over an hour of working at it by myself, I've made less than an inch of bracelet, and the pattern isn't even correct. It is way too hard for an 8 year old! And my daughter is very good at crafts (sewing, weaving, braiding, etc.). The description of this product even recommends it for parties... I have only tried the circular wheel bracelet maker. The video for the square shaped bracelet maker did seem easier.
 Great toy for kids! August 23, 2010
yelron
This is a great toy and skills development, after a short explanation my 6 years old girl is working almost by her self :-)
You must have paitence with it...
Would NOT recommend May 28, 2010
KUKUSHKA (San Carlos, CA United States)
This toy is very complicated for any kid and adult to make. I had to ask my husband to figure out how to make and even he (who is very handy and smart) took a while to figure out what to do. Our kids eventually followed directions but on their own no way that would be able to know what to do. I would not buy this toy unless you plan on doing it yourself with kids watching.
Great hobby starter set; keeps hands busy! March 25, 2010
Ben C. Taylor (Chantilly, VA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
We bought this for our 7 year old daughter for her birthday hoping to interest her in a new hobby that would encourage her creativity (and keep her hands busy). The manufacturer suggests this product for 8-12 year olds and I would generally agree (based on dexterity and attention span). However, some younger children, especially those that have the attention span and can repeat a pattern with their hands fairly reliably, will be able to master this activity. Our 5 1/2 year old daughter has given it a try but needs help every once in a while when she gets off the pattern.
We've noticed that the girls don't have as much problem with the circular looms. However, they've had difficulty getting the bracelets from the square looms to come out uniformly. It seems to be a matter of learning how to keep uniform tension on the floss and weave consistently. Not difficult; it just takes a little attention and practice.
The "suitcase" contains four foam looms (2 square and 2 round); 22 skiens of floss; 2 small containers of beads (clear, and multicolored); a beading needle; and instructions.
* Each loom has two patterns (one on each side) for a total of 8 patterns. The finished pattern design is printed around the center hole of the loom, and the notches are painted with the suggested colors used to create the pattern. It's easy to substitute out colors to create your own color schemes. After several months, we've noticed the paint start to rub off the notches on the foam looms (bound to happen over time). Repainting with nail polish may help though we haven't tried that yet.
* The skiens of floss can get used up pretty quickly (only 22). We've found that the local sewing/craft store sells a pack of 50 skiens for around $10.
* We haven't used the beading needle, so I can't comment there. The beads, however, are the right size for the floss and the kids fingers (bigger than seed beeds, smaller than pony beads). My girls haven't shown much interest in incorporating the beads into their projects. They seem to get caught up in the rhythm of the weaving and forget to use them. I would caution that the container lids don't secure down - they slip right off. I would suggest finding another container with a snug lid or taping the lids down to prevent spilled beads.
* The instructions are fairly easy to follow. As has been mentioned by others, the YouTube videos are helpful, especially for those that learn best by watching others. A ruler for measuring out floss has been printed on the fold-out instructions, so all you really need is a pair of scissors for cutting the floss and a pen/pencil (for creating the first loop).
* We still keep the materials, looms, and supplies in the "suitcase" which has proven to be durable.
As our girls have used the product, we've found that they favor the round looms and bracelets over the square. I think this is largely because (1) the weaving rhythm is more continous on the circular looms, (2) it's easier to keep constant tension on the circular looms, (3) the consistent tension yields a more uniform and finished looking product, (4) the round bracelets are usually faster to complete (our experience has been 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the round bracelets compared to 3 for the flat bracelets), and (5) the girls favor the heart and flower designs produced by the circular looms.
Our girls have had a fun time creating bracelets for friends (boys and girls) and themselves. They seem to enjoy planning out the colors and trying to invent new patterns. I would agree with the reviewers who would have liked to see additional patterns. We've also used the floss to create our own knotted/braided/woven bracelets using patterns we've found elsewhere on the web.
Overall, a fun product that was worth the $17.50 we paid for it!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 24
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