Kids love creativity, and kids love technology. I may not be a kid anymore, but I love anything that can combine my love of computers and a way to make my own thing, and I have always kind of been that way. I’ve never been handy with a knife and a block of wood, but I loved programming things into Mario Paint, so this new generation of creative toys is right down my alley. Mattel has released a $300 ThingMaker, a toy-grade 3D printer that allows kids to make their own stuff.
The ThingMaker makes the toy pieces out of PLA filament, and once the pieces are crafted–a process that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on size and complexity–the child then puts them together using ball and socket joints. The printer is completely safe; kids are locked out while the heat is getting put to use, and the print head retracts completely into the system when the part is ready.
The app allows kids an easy way to design their new toys, and Mattel says that eventually the ThingMaker will be able to be used to do things like make your own Hot Wheels or Barbie products! Designing your own Hot Wheels car sounds awesome, even at 34 years old.
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