Mattel has created a new toy that's a total game changer.
In fall of 2016, it will release the new ThingMaker, a 3-D printer that will allow kids to create, customize and print their own toys at home, according to an announcement the company made Friday.
ThingMaker The 2016 ThingMaker.
Mattel initially launched the ThingMaker in the 1960s. The product allowed kids to create their own creepy crawlers, mini dragons and flowers by pouring hot plastic into molds. Now, the revamped ThingMaker, which costs $299.99, slingshots that concept into the 21st century by enabling kids (and OK, adults, too) to tinker with toy designs that span from figurines to jewelry on an easy-to-use app on their tablets or phones before they print their creations on the printer.
ThingMaker Users design their toys using an app before printing.
Mattel partnered with software company Autodesk with the aim of creating a fast, easy-to-use app that won't crash like other kids' toys apps do, according to Toyland. Because the app was outsourced to Autodesk -- which has shown an interest in fostering kids' love for design in the past -- it can also be used on other 3-D printers.
Toyland also reports that ThingMaker Design app comes pre-loaded with blueprints for scorpions, skeletons, rings and necklaces. Taking a gander at ThingMaker's site, it appears that unicorns, dolls, robots and dinosaurs are also available. The toys are printed in batches, according to USA Today, or parts with ball-and-socket joints, that need to be assembled after printing. This means that toys that are already printed can be modified and updated, as well.
ThingMaker Toys are printed in batches or pieces, which can easily be added to other toys that have already been printed.
As a safety mechanism, the door of the printer automatically locks when printing starts, according to USA Today. Toyland reports toys printed from the system are rated safe for children age 3 and up, and a heated printing head retracts when the printer is not in use, so kids don't try to touch it and get burnt.
ThingMaker Spools of PLA plastic filament are used for 3D printing.
Mattel hasn't released any information on how much PLA plastic filament, which is the material most commonly used for 3-D printing today, will cost. But USA Today, notes that spools online cost about $23. There are also questions as to whether or not Mattel will release blueprints for some of their most popular toys like Barbie and Hot Wheels and how many filament colors will be offered. Toyland said there were about two dozen colors at Mattel's table at the trade show, but a spokesperson told them that Mattel intends to offer a lot.
There are also no definitive answers as to whether one will be able to print the new curvy, petite and tall Barbies on a 3-D printer just yet.
ThingMaker The ThingMaker allows you to design, print and assemble toys all in the comfort of your home.
There are kinks to work out in regards of how long it takes for toys to print. According to USA Today, a ring can take 30 minutes while larger toys can take up to six to eight hours.
Also on HuffPost:
5 Smart Toys For Your Children
littleBits
Although circuit-building sets have long been around, LittleBits takes inventing and building electrical-powered devices to a new level. The brightly colored components connect together easily with magnets, then attach to mounting boards like Legos.
It took me about 45 minutes to build a remote-controlled car. The instructions include color pictures of everything I needed to see. I found them easy to follow, and older children should, too. Although I didn't get everything right the first time, I had fun checking my circuits and solving problems. Kids will as well.
Other projects in my set include a wireless doorbell, motorized fan and rotating lamp.
One drawback: There aren't enough parts to make multiple projects. The kit has two mounting boards, and I needed both to build my car and remote control. Because the boards are needed for most of the projects, you have to take apart what yo u built to make something else.
To get around that, you'd need to buy expansion packs with extra boards and parts.
-- $200 for Gadgets & Gizmos set, ages 8 and up.
littleBits
Although circuit-building sets have long been around, LittleBits takes inventing and building electrical-powered devices to a new level. The brightly colored components connect together easily with magnets, then attach to mounting boards like Legos.
It took me about 45 minutes to build a remote-controlled car. The instructions include color pictures of everything I needed to see. I found them easy to follow, and older children should, too. Although I didn't get everything right the first time, I had fun checking my circuits and solving problems. Kids will as well.
Other projects in my set include a wireless doorbell, motorized fan and rotating lamp.
One drawback: There aren't enough parts to make multiple projects. The kit has two mounting boards, and I needed both to build my car and remote control. Because the boards are needed for most of the projects, you have to take apart what you built to make something else.
To get around that, you'd need to buy expansion packs with extra boards and parts.
-- $200 for Gadgets & Gizmos set, ages 8 and up.
littleBits
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Stikbot
What makes this toy fun is its marriage of apps and social media with old-school stop-motion animation, which stitches together still pictures into a video. It harkens back to the "Gumby" cartoons of days gone by.
The starter kit comes with two StikBots - small, flexible plastic figures with suction cups for hands and feet - along with a basic tripod for your smartphone.
You download a free app and use the StikBots and whatever else you have around the house to create your own stop-motion movie. The movies can then be shared through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.Zing Global Ltd., the company behind StikBot, posts its favorites on YouTube through "The StikBot Show" and gives out cash prizes for the most creative. You can see some of the best at http://www.stikbot.toys/videos/ .
The creativity of StikBot fans is truly amazing. My 6-year-old daughter can't stop watching and has been begging to make her own movie.
-- $10 for a starter kit, technically for ages 13 and up because of social-media restrictions.
Stikbot
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CogniToys Dino
This small, plastic dinosaur from New York-based startup Elemental Path has a voice reminiscent of Yoda from "Star Wars." The toy uses Watson's speech-recognition and cognitive abilities to create an interactive experience.
The Dino will engage in conservations with your child and remember personal details such as his or her name and favorite color. With Watson's help, the toy will also answer complicated questions such as "Why is the sky blue?" and "Where do babies come from?" in a kid-appropriate way. It's not meant for sharing with siblings, though, as Dino will keep track of just one child's favorites.
The toy connects directly to your Wi-Fi home network, so no phone or tablet is needed.The Dino, which comes in three colors, is sold only online and should ship by the holidays.
-- $120, ages 5 and up.
Elemental Path
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The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home
Lost My Name, a London-based startup, uses satellite maps and other data to create customized books that go well beyond similar products on the market.
The beautifully illustrated book tells the story of your child's journey home from outer space. As your child gets closer to home, the book's pages display nearby landmarks and eventually a satellite map showing your child's neighborhood and home.
Although my daughter already has books personalized with her name and friends, she got a kick out of seeing our home and neighborhood from space.
The books, available in seven languages, are sold only online.
-- $30, all ages.
Lost My Name
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Tiggly
Tiggly aims to make learning fun by combining toy shapes and letters with apps for iPads or Android tablets.
For example, little sea creatures in the Submarine app ask kids to complete words by placing the required vowel letter on the tablet. Use the wrong letter, and a little crab character gives a disapproving look, while the tablet makes a "boing!" sound. Words completed correctly are sucked up by a little submarine.
The shapes and letters are soft and easy for little hands to pick up and manipulate.
The set for the youngest kids, ages 2 to 5, focuses on shapes, while another teaches basic math to kids ages 3 to 7. The most advanced teaches early reading skills to 4 to 8-year-olds.
Apps for the tablet feature a variety of games. Most are free, while a few cost $2 to $3.
-- $30 per set, ages vary.
Tiggly
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