text bands: letting kids express themselves (w/giveaway)

have you ever watched one of those scrolling marquis and wondered what kinds of things you would put up, if you had one of your own?  now your kids can have the chance to express themselves however they like with hallmark's fun new text bands.

similar to a plastic watch, the text bands let you input any message you like (up to 10 characters), and have it scrolling across your wrist.  if you see a friend with a text bands, you can fist bump, high five or shake hands and your will trade messages with each other.  it certainly beats passing notes in class the old fashioned way!  they are available at hallmark gold crown stores ($14.95 for a starter kit).

my girls took theirs to the cubs game last week.  it was a great opportunity for them to think creatively as they figured out various messages to express their own personalities and to send messages to each other.

they are a little bulky for continuous wear, but the girls have had fun with them on longer car trips and at events that don't require their full attention.  i would like to see what happens if some of their friends get them, and they have more friends with whom to share messages.

as if that weren't enough, "hallmark just launched fan mail – a program allowing people to nominate the biggest “belieber” they know, or someone they simply want to thank, congratulate or recognize in a fun way to win a pack of hallmark justin bieber greeting cards and a $5 hallmark gold crown store gift card. the swag will be delivered right to the nominee’s doorstep.

"the selection of cards could include a bieber fever fan kit card, a bieber door hanger or many other well-wishes from the biebs. also inside the package will be a card telling the nominee that they have a secret fan, as well as an online code to unlock the identity of their “fan.”

"for more information or to nominate someone yourself, visit www.hallmark.com/fanmail. the program ends oct. 31, 2012, so there are many opportunities to nominate loved ones.

if you would like to give text bands a try in your family, i have two packs of two bands to give away.  leave me a comment below telling me what message you would like your text band to display.  i will choose a winner on september 17, using random.org.  must be 18 and a usa resident to enter (don't forget to leave your email address so i have a way to contact you!).

i received two text bands from hallmark for my kids to try out for the purpose of this review.  i have also been given the information above and two sets of text bands to give away.  regardless, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are purely my own.