Mattel Introduces 3D Printer That Allows Kids to Make Their Own Toys

Where was this when we were kids? Not that Furbies weren’t totally cool, but a 3D printer? C’mon.

Children’s toy company Mattel is releasing a $300 3D printer called ThingMaker that will allow kids to “print” their own toys at home. While there are cheaper printers available these days, what you’re actually paying for is the easy-to-use software that comes with it.

The idea, according to TechCrunch, was to make a 3D printer easy enough for a child to use.

Kids download an app that they use to design their own toys and print them out. The toys can be customized with different colors and textures, and can be bent or twisted within the app to get a feel for how they’ll operate once they’re printed. They can also save creations they make into the phone’s or iPad’s camera roll.

The app comes with tutorials and templates to help kids get started. However, you’re not supposed to print out the toy in one piece, but print out each part separately and then assemble it.

Aslan Appleman, senior director at Mattel said in a statement, “In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever for families to transcend the digital world and make their ideas real.”

“ThingMaker pushes the boundaries of imaginative play, giving families countless ways to customize their toys and let their creativity run wild,” Appleman added.

The device isn’t ready to be sold yet, but should be out later this fall. However, you can pre-order one on Amazon today.