Rainbows looming large: digital leisure and youth innovation

Abstract

Rainbow looms, America’s 2014 Toy of the Year, are associated with colourful rubber bands that can be weaved into intricate objects using a plastic loom. These sets are sold without any accompanying instructions, requiring users to develop personal skills through family, friends and online. This paper explores the participatory practices of rainbow looms within digital leisure, and how it facilitates spaces for innovative thinking and practice. The research showed that the enabling factors for innovation through rainbow looms were associated with a largely positive play culture, which developed intrinsic rewards such as self-confidence and value creation. These findings illuminate the intricate relations that digital media is not merely another avenue for leisure, but can trigger spirits of youth innovation.