However, there’s only so much hands-on experience an individual child can get when their classroom or school only has one 3D printer. With a printer at home, they have much more time and freedom to create, learn, and understand how the technology works. Although 3D printers are expensive, and many aren’t all that child-safe, there have been a few printers developed specifically for children released recently, and several others to be released soon, like the Mattel ThingMaker and the MiniToy, just to name a couple.
Safe, kid-friendly, and relatively inexpensive, these printers are a great way for kids to learn about technology while they play at home, and now Australian toy company Moose Toys is releasing a kids’ 3D printer for…wait for it…$25. The Qixels 3D Maker is the latest addition to the company’s Qixels product line, which was developed to get Minecraft-loving kids away from the screen by giving them physical “pixel” cubes that fuse together with water.
“We introduced Qixels to inspire all kids to be creative, improve dexterity and enjoy craft activities in a new way,” said Paul Solomon, Co-CEO of Moose Toys. “We’re thrilled to let kids take their creations to the next level with the Qixels 3D Maker, and give parents an opportunity to introduce the idea of 3D printing at an affordable price.”
“Brain-boosting playthings support children as they grow and gain new abilities,” said Adrienne Appell, trend expert at the Toy Industry Association. “From enhancing kids’ communication skills to improving their logic, the latest educational toys, like the Qixels 3D Maker, encourage kids to explore, experiment, design and discover, all while having fun!”
The Qixels 3D Maker has already won the 2016 Toy of the Year Award from the Australian Toy Association, as well as the Craft and Activity Toy of the Year, while the Qixels line won the Australian Development Award. The Qixels 3D Maker – and the rest of the Qixels product line – will be available in the US in August. Discuss further in the $25 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.