Introducing children to the world of 3D printing can be an exciting and educational experience. As a parent eager to explore STEM concepts with my own kids, I searched for a 3D printer that was not only easy for children to use but also robust enough to handle creative projects and environmentally conscious. My search led me to the ToyBox 3D Printer, and I’m excited to share my honest review of this kid-friendly device. What I discovered is a 3D printer that simplifies the printing process, utilizes a compostable, corn-based filament, and unlocks a world of creative possibilities for children.
A 3D printed toy stands next to a stack of printer filament rolls.
Before diving into the specifics of the ToyBox 3D printer’s pros and cons, it’s helpful to understand the basic technology behind 3D printing itself.
Close up image showcasing the layered printing process of a 3D printer head.
Understanding How 3D Printers Work: A Simple Explanation
Think of a standard inkjet printer, but instead of ink on paper, imagine building objects layer by layer. That’s essentially how a 3D printer operates. It transforms digital designs into tangible, three-dimensional objects.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the 3D printing process:
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Digital Design: The process begins with a digital 3D model of the desired object. This design can be created using specialized software or downloaded from online libraries.
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Slicing: The digital model is then “sliced” into numerous thin, horizontal layers by the software. This slicing process converts the design into a set of instructions that the 3D printer can understand.
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Layer-by-Layer Construction: The 3D printer reads these instructions and starts building the object from the ground up, layer by layer. It deposits material, typically plastic, metal, or resin, precisely according to the sliced design.
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Material Bonding: As each layer is deposited, it bonds to the previous layer. The materials solidify or cool, gradually forming the three-dimensional shape.
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Completion and Post-Processing: Once all layers are printed, the object is complete. Some prints might require minor post-processing, such as removing support structures or smoothing surfaces for a refined finish.
Essentially, 3D printing is like sculpting in reverse, adding material layer by layer to create a final product. This innovative process allows for the creation of diverse objects, from intricate toys to functional prototypes and even medical devices.
A child enthusiastically shows off a newly 3D printed toy, highlighting the joy of creation.
Two children are engaged and happy while interacting with the Toybox 3D printer, demonstrating its kid-friendly appeal.
Exploring 3D Printer Filament: Materials for Creation
The versatility of 3D printers is partly due to the wide array of materials, or filaments, that can be used. The best type of filament depends greatly on the intended use of the 3D printed object. For instance, a decorative toy doesn’t need the same strength and durability as a mechanical part. Let’s explore some common 3D printing filaments:
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid): The Eco-Friendly Choice
PLA is a popular filament, celebrated for its eco-friendly nature. Derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. It’s user-friendly, doesn’t typically require a heated print bed, and is available in a spectrum of colors, making it a great option for beginners and hobbyists. However, PLA is not ideal for high-temperature applications.
2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): For Durable Prints
ABS is known for its toughness and impact resistance, similar to Lego bricks. It’s suitable for creating durable parts but requires a heated bed and good ventilation due to potential warping during cooling.
3. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): Balancing Strength and Ease
PETG combines some of the best qualities of ABS and PLA. It’s tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, yet easier to print than ABS, offering a good balance of strength and printability.
4. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Flexible and Elastic
TPU is a flexible filament, allowing for the creation of bendable and elastic objects like phone cases or shoe insoles. Its flexibility opens up possibilities for functional and wearable 3D prints.
5. Nylon: High Strength and Durability
Nylon filament is exceptionally strong and wear-resistant, akin to materials used in backpacks and durable goods. It’s suitable for functional parts that need to withstand stress and wear.
6. Resin (for SLA/DLP Printers): High Detail and Smooth Finishes
Resin is used in Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printers. It’s a liquid material that solidifies when exposed to light, enabling the creation of highly detailed and smooth objects, ideal for jewelry or dental models.
7. Wood and Carbon Fiber Composites: Specialty Filaments
Specialty filaments like wood and carbon fiber composites offer unique properties. Wood filaments contain wood fibers for a wood-like finish, while carbon fiber filaments provide exceptional strength and rigidity, suitable for high-performance parts.
For the purpose of this review, and relevant to the ToyBox 3D Printer, we will focus on PLA, as it’s the filament type used by this kid-friendly printer.
Close up of colorful PLA filament spools, highlighting the variety of colors available for 3D printing with Toybox.
A child selects a vibrant color of PLA filament, ready to load into the Toybox 3D printer, emphasizing ease of use for kids.
A collection of vibrant, colorful 3D printed toys made with PLA filament using the Toybox printer.
ToyBox 3D Printer: Bringing Imagination to Life for Kids
The Toybox 3D printer is specifically designed to empower children to create their own toys and small objects. Its intuitive design and ease of use make it an excellent entry point into the world of 3D printing for young creators. Let’s explore how the ToyBox 3D printer works step-by-step:
1. App Download and Printer Connection: Getting Started
The first step is downloading the ToyBox app, compatible with various devices. Once installed, simply plug in and power on the printer, connecting it to the app via WiFi. This seamless connection is crucial for user-friendly operation.
2. Toy Design: Unleashing Creativity
Next comes the fun part – designing! Kids can explore their creativity in several ways: using the “Create” tab within the ToyBox app for drawing and simple designs, choosing from the extensive Toybox library of pre-designed toys, or even importing designs in STL, OBJ, or gCode formats for more advanced projects.
3. Filament Loading: Readying the Printer Food
The filament, referred to as “printer food” by Toybox, is the raw material for printing. Made from polylactic acid (PLA), derived from cornstarch, it’s a bioplastic that melts to form the printed object. Loading the filament is simple: choose your desired color, insert it into the printer, and you’re ready to print.
4. Layer-by-Layer Printing: The Magic Unfolds
The Toybox Printer now takes over, following the design instructions to build the toy layer by layer. It precisely deposits melted filament, stacking layer upon layer to construct the object from the base up. Print times vary from minutes to hours depending on design complexity.
5. Cooling and Solidification: From Liquid to Solid
As each layer is added, the hot, melted plastic quickly cools and solidifies. This rapid cooling process allows the toy to take shape visibly as it’s being printed, adding to the excitement for kids.
6. Toy Removal: Unveiling the Creation
Once printing is complete, carefully remove the newly printed toy from the printer platform. Minimal clean-up may be needed, and then the 3D-printed creation is ready to be enjoyed.
7. Playtime and Beyond: Endless Possibilities
The freshly printed toy is ready for playtime! Whether it’s a figurine, a gadget, or an accessory, kids can immediately engage with their creations.
8. Repeat and Experiment: Continuous Learning
The Toybox 3D printer encourages ongoing creativity. Kids can continuously design and print new toys, experiment with colors and designs, modify existing creations, and even collaborate on projects. It’s like having a mini-toy factory at home, powered by eco-friendly, cornstarch-based filament.
A close up of a child's hand carefully removing a freshly printed 3D toy from the Toybox printer bed.
Why the ToyBox 3D Printer Earns My Recommendation
My enthusiasm for the ToyBox 3D printer stems from several key features. The most significant is its use of corn starch-based filament, a more environmentally responsible choice compared to traditional, non-renewable plastic filaments. While it’s important to note that these PLA prints require industrial composting facilities for biodegradation, and won’t decompose in a backyard compost, the material choice is a step in a more sustainable direction.
Beyond the eco-friendly aspect, the ToyBox 3D printer excels in its kid-friendly design and ease of use. My children, ages 8 and 11, quickly learned to operate it with minimal assistance after just a few initial demonstrations. They confidently navigate the ToyBox app, select designs or create their own, load filament, and initiate prints. While parental supervision is always recommended, the printer’s intuitive nature empowers children to take ownership of the creative process.
Another significant advantage is the built-in patience fostered by 3D printing. Unlike instant gratification toys, 3D printing takes time. ToyBox print times range from 5 minutes to several hours, depending on the design. This extended creation time allows children to witness the gradual building process, fostering an appreciation for the effort and time involved in creating something, whether it’s a toy, a meal, or anything else.
I opted for a ToyBox 3D printer bundle, which included multiple filament rolls, offering cost savings compared to purchasing items separately. ToyBox also offers refurbished printers at discounted prices, supporting a circular economy and making 3D printing more accessible.
To make the ToyBox 3D printer even more affordable, you can use my promo code “THOUGHTFULLYSUSTAINABLE” to save 10% on all printers! Explore the ToyBox 3D printer collection here.
A 3D printed snowflake ornament, showcasing the detail and festive creations possible with the Toybox printer.
A 3D printed toy standing next to a collection of colorful filament spools, emphasizing the creative potential and variety of colors available.
Addressing Common Questions About the ToyBox 3D Printer
As a user of the ToyBox 3D printer, I’ve received several questions from parents curious about its suitability for their children. Here are some common queries and my responses:
Will the novelty wear off? Will my kids still use it after a while?
Like any toy, initial excitement can fade. To combat this, we cycle the ToyBox printer into our toy rotation, bringing it out periodically to reignite interest. The printer’s ability to create personalized gifts, like toys for friends or holiday ornaments, keeps it relevant and engaging throughout the year, especially during holidays. I appreciate that it isn’t in constant use, preventing toy overload and encouraging more intentional printing projects.
Is a ToyBox Plus subscription necessary?
No, a subscription is not necessary to enjoy the ToyBox 3D printer. The free Toybox library offers thousands of designs, providing ample content without needing a paid subscription.
What are “bolts” in the ToyBox app?
Bolts are ToyBox’s in-app currency, used to unlock premium licensed content. These bolts enable users to print toys featuring characters from major entertainment brands. While available, we haven’t needed to use bolts, as the free library is extensive and provides plenty of creative options.
What’s the ideal age range for the ToyBox 3D printer?
The ToyBox 3D printer is suitable for a broad age range, from early elementary through high school. Younger children benefit from the visual learning and simple design options, while older students can utilize more advanced design software and import their creations, making it valuable for diverse skill levels.
What are the limitations of the ToyBox 3D Printer?
Two primary limitations are print size and material durability. The print area is approximately 3″ x 3″, limiting the size of single-print objects. However, larger designs can be created in pieces and assembled. Regarding durability, PLA filament is less robust than materials like ABS. While toys are reasonably durable for normal play, they may not withstand rough handling from very young children.
A complex 3D printed structure assembled from multiple parts, showcasing the ability to create larger objects with the Toybox printer despite size limitations.
STEM Education and 3D Printing: A Powerful Combination
3D printing is an exceptional tool for teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts to children. As a former teacher, I recognize the immense educational potential of having 3D printers readily available in learning environments. Here’s how 3D printing integrates into STEM education:
Science: Material Science and Chemistry
3D printing allows kids to learn about material properties, comparing different filaments like PLA and ABS and understanding why specific materials are chosen for particular applications. The process also introduces basic chemistry concepts, such as phase changes as materials transform from solid filament to molten form and back to solid objects.
Technology: Hardware and CAD Skills
Exploring the components of a 3D printer and how they function together provides a hands-on understanding of technology hardware. Learning Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, even at a basic level through the Toybox app, develops valuable digital modeling and design skills.
Engineering: Design Thinking and Prototyping
Designing objects for 3D printing introduces the engineering design process. Kids learn to identify needs, brainstorm solutions, create designs, and refine them based on printing outcomes. 3D printing facilitates rapid prototyping, allowing children to experience the iterative nature of engineering design and testing.
Mathematics: Measurement and Spatial Reasoning
CAD software inherently involves measurement and scale, reinforcing geometry and spatial reasoning skills. Designing for 3D printing also necessitates problem-solving using mathematical concepts like angles, proportions, and calculations.
Real-World STEM Applications: Connecting Learning to Life
Highlighting real-world applications of 3D printing in fields like aerospace, medicine, and architecture demonstrates the relevance of STEM principles. Hands-on 3D printing projects make abstract concepts more tangible and engaging, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world innovation.
3D printing offers an engaging, hands-on approach to STEM education, fostering creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical principles, making learning both fun and practical.
If you’re interested in bringing a ToyBox 3D printer into your home, remember to use the code “THOUGHTFULLYSUSTAINABLE” for a 10% discount on all printers.
Cover of free, 15-page workbook for students about 3D printing real-world applications
Free 3D Printing Workbook for Kids: Explore Real-World Applications
To further enhance the educational value of 3D printing, I’ve created a free, 15-page workbook for students. This workbook explores real-world applications of 3D printing technology, connecting classroom learning to practical uses. Click below to get your free copy delivered directly to your inbox!
FREE 3D Printing workbook for kids
For a deeper dive, I’ve also written a blog post exploring the real-world applications of 3D printing in more detail. If you have any further questions about incorporating 3D printing into your home or classroom, please leave a comment below!
