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Future of Toys_ How 3D Printing is Changing Children's Play

Future of Toys_ How 3D Printing is Changing Children's Play

3D printing is transforming how kids create and play with toys, blending creativity with STEM learning at home. The AOSEEDX-MAKER and X-MAKER JOY printers make it safe and easy for children to design and print their own toys. Here’s what you need to know:
  • Kid-Friendly Features: Enclosed design, touchscreen interface, and safe PLA materials ensure safety and ease of use.
  • Hands-On Learning: Kids can create flexible models, poseable figures, and custom toys while developing problem-solving and technical skills.
  • Cost and Waste Savings: Print toys on demand, reduce packaging waste, and repair broken toys instead of replacing them.
  • Affordable Options: The X-MAKER ($399) and X-MAKER JOY ($259) cater to different age groups with varying features.
With access to over 2000 pre-designed models and user-friendly apps, these printers make 3D printing accessible for kids while encouraging creativity and STEM exploration.


3D Printer for Kids: 3D Printing Toys | AOSEED X-MAKER

3D Printing Benefits for Kids

The X-MAKER printer, with its enclosed design and touchscreen interface, makes it easy for kids to create custom toys while diving into hands-on STEM activities.


Custom Toy Creation

Using the HingeX app, kids can design their own flexible models or modify existing toys with movable hinges. For instance, they can create a unicorn with flexible joints or add fun clip-art accessories - all within three hours using materials like PLA or ABS.


Learning Through Making

The Doll Maker app allows children to craft poseable figures using different filaments, teaching them how material choices impact a toy's strength and appearance. The printer offers three slicer options: a mobile app for beginners, the X-Print desktop software for intermediate users, and an advanced interface for more experienced creators. It even supports G-code for greater customization and skill development.


Safety and Materials Guide

Choosing the right materials plays a big role in ensuring both the quality and safety of 3D-printed toys. Let’s dive into safe filament options and age-appropriate design tips.


Kid-Friendly Materials

PLA, a filament made from cornstarch, is a safer choice compared to petroleum-based options like ABS or Nylon. For example, ABS emits up to 30 times more fumes than PLA, making it less suitable for kids' environments.
The AOSEED X-MAKER JOY printer is designed with safety in mind. Its enclosed chamber and lower-temperature PLA settings keep little hands safe and reduce exposure to fumes, all while maintaining high print quality.
To create a healthier printing environment:
  • Work in a well-ventilated area
  • Use an air purifier with HEPA and VOC filters
  • Stick to PLA filaments with minimal additives
  • Clean prints and workspaces using a damp cloth and a HEPA-filtered vacuum.


Designing Toys for Different Ages

Matching the complexity of toy designs to a child’s age helps them learn safely while having fun. The X-MAKER JOY printer supports parents and educators with user-friendly features and built-in guidance.
Age Group
Suggested Project
Supervision Needed
4–12 years
Print ready-made models
Full adult supervision
9–16 years
Edit simple designs in TinkerCAD
Parental guidance
11–13 years
Work with basic CAD software
Assisted exploration
To ensure the final product is safe:
  • Check that all parts are sturdy and won’t break into small pieces
  • Smooth out sharp edges by sanding or rounding them off
  • Use the X-MAKER JOY built-in viewing tools to monitor prints remotely


Bringing 3D Printing to Libraries: Expanding Access to Future-Ready Toys

As 3D printing becomes more mainstream, forward-thinking libraries are evolving beyond books and offering access to innovative technologies like 3D printers. For families and educators without a home setup, this opens the door to hands-on STEM learning and toy creation using printers like the AOSEED X-MAKER and X-MAKER JOY.


Libraries as Innovation Hubs for Kids

Modern libraries have transformed into makerspaces creative tech labs where children can explore digital tools. AOSEED printers are a perfect match for these environments. With their plug-and-play design, child-safe enclosures, and intuitive interfaces, X-MAKER printers allow even first-time users to jump into 3D design with minimal supervision.
By introducing 3D printing through libraries, kids gain access to:
  • Free, hands-on STEM learning
  • Creative exploration without a high upfront cost
  • A collaborative space to share ideas and designs with peers
This aligns perfectly with AOSEED mission to make 3D printing educational, approachable, and accessible.


AOSEED X-MAKER in Public Makerspaces

The AOSEED X-MAKER, designed for ages 9+, is built for shared environments like libraries, classrooms, and STEM labs. It features Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, remote monitoring, and a fully enclosed chamber—perfect for safe use in public spaces.
Libraries that install AOSEED printers can offer:
  • Toy design workshops for different age groups
  • Introductory CAD classes using apps like TinkerCAD or AOSEED HingeX and Doll Maker
  • Toy repair clinics, where children bring broken toys and learn to design and print replacements
These programs help reduce plastic waste and foster creativity, responsibility, and community problem-solving.


Thumb Sized Animal

Tiny animal friends you can print by the dozen!
  • Great for trading or collecting
  • Easy prints with minimal filament
  • Encourages imaginative mini play


Thumb Wars Lightsabers

Challenge a friend to a tiny duel!
  • Print a pair and let the battles begin
  • Fun for Star Wars fans
  • Simple, silly, and perfect for play


Car Track

Race into fun with your mini car creations.
  • Custom track sections for printed vehicles
  • Expandable and reconfigurable
  • Great STEM activity with friends


Spiral Christmas Tree

Twisty and festive for the holiday season.
  • Fun holiday decoration with a unique design
  • Easy to print in green, gold, or rainbow filament
  • Perfect for table settings or gifts


Surprise Egg Tiny Car Carrier

A toy within a toy—what’s not to love?
  • Opens to reveal a mini car inside
  • Great for Easter or party gifts
  • Encourages surprise-based imaginative play


3D Model Libraries at Your Fingertips

One of the biggest barriers to entry in 3D printing is knowing what to create. AOSEED eliminates that hurdle with access to over 2000 pre-designed models, all searchable and printable using the AOSEED ecosystem.
Public libraries can:
  • Curate themed 3D model collections (e.g., dinosaurs, holiday toys, historical artifacts)
  • Help kids remix existing models using AOSEED beginner-friendly apps
  • Promote monthly challenges (e.g., design a custom keychain or print a working fidget toy)
This encourages return visits to the library and keeps kids engaged with new design goals.


Making the Future of Toys Equitable

By partnering with libraries, AOSEED supports educational equity. Not every family can invest in a home 3D printer, but local access empowers all children to participate in the future of toys—where creativity and custom play are just a print away.
Whether you're exploring from home or at your neighborhood library, AOSEED kid-friendly 3D printers are paving the way toward a future where children don’t just play with toys—they create them.


Start 3D Printing at Home

Once you've ensured material safety and chosen designs suitable for your child's age, it's time to pick a printer and create your first toy.


Choose Your First Printer

AOSEED offers models designed to spark creativity and encourage hands-on STEM activities, all while prioritizing safety. For $399, the X-MAKER provides a 150×150×150 mm build area, prints at 300 mm/s, and features one-click printing with Wi-Fi/USB connectivity. For younger kids (ages 4–9), the X-MAKER JOY is a more affordable option at $259, with a smaller build plate and simplified settings.


Create Your First Toy

AOSEED guided software makes it easy to design items like posable stick figures, custom vehicles, wind-up toys, or 3D drawings. Once your design is ready, use the X-Print slicer in basic, intermediate, or expert mode to prepare it for printing.


3D-Printed Toys vs. Store-Bought Options

3D-printed toys let you customize designs and engage in STEM learning, while store-bought toys stick to fixed designs and offer more passive play experiences.


Cost and Waste Reduction

Less Waste, More Play

Home 3D printing reduces packaging waste by letting you create toys on demand, using just the material you need.
If a toy breaks, there's no need to throw it away - simply print a replacement part. The AOSEED X‑MAKER slicer optimizes support structures and infill density to use less material, while its modular toolhead can be repaired or rebuilt to extend the printer's lifespan. The X‑Print slicer, built on Cura, offers settings for beginners and experts alike, so you can adjust as your skills grow.


Print Toys for Less

With a single spool of PLA, you can produce dozens of figures at a fraction of what they'd cost in stores. The AOSEED X‑MAKER comes with a built-in model library and kid-friendly software - no subscription required.
Want to save money, reduce waste, and spark creativity? Up next, see how AOSEED equips your family with the perfect printer and projects.


Next Steps with AOSEED

The AOSEED X‑MAKER arrives fully assembled and ready to go. It includes 14 toy‑building apps and a flash drive loaded with pre‑sliced models, so you can start printing right away.
Here’s how to dive in:
  • Start with pre‑sliced models: Use the flash drive to print your first designs immediately.
  • Try the design apps: Create posable figures, vehicles, and wind‑up toys with the included Windows apps.
  • Use One‑Press Printing: Enjoy instant, one-click prints for quick results.
These steps make it easy to print on demand, reduce material waste, and keep playtime exciting. As you get comfortable, you can move from simple projects to custom designs using X‑Print's three difficulty levels.
Want more inspiration? Check out AOSEED website, where you’ll find over 1,500 models, tutorials, and community projects to spark your child’s creativity - and save on toy expenses.
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