British Mums recently partnered with Toybox, the first easy-to-use, one-touch 3D printer for children to design and print their own toys. We were SO impressed with this product that we invited 3 mums to try out the Toybox 3D printer themselves and provide us with feedback on how they experienced it and whether their children enjoyed designing their own toys.

For those of you that don’t know, Toybox’s simple touch screen, intuitive app and non-toxic filaments boost your child’s creativity in a fun and safe way. The online library has countless toys where new ones are added, so you’ll never have a chance to get bored (which we all know happens way too easily!)

Toybox is also a great STEM tool as used in UAE, teaching children skills like problem-solving, design thinking, and creativity.

Because we care about the environment, we’re also very happy to add that Toybox uses non-toxic PLA, a biodegradable corn-based filament, which is designed specifically with younger builders in mind while skipping out on the potentially hazardous ingredients some other printers use.

Also thanks to its magnetic bandable buildplate, you don’t need to use any sharp tools to remove items.

The three mums we invited to try out Toybox are Tara Armes, Hannah Marie Mobsby and Tara Walsh and here’s their feedback.

Review 1 – Tara Armes

  

This machine is brilliant for all ages – truly brilliant! It does require adult or teenage supervision regarding set up or troubleshooting as it’s very dependent on your WIFI.  But other than that, it’s really easy to use.  Both my children who are 15 and 12 said that it was suitable for any age as has both recreational and educational aspects to it.

Once connected the whole process is really idiot proof and there are a huge range of models to download to print, although the self-design option didn’t seem to be available. In the space of a matter of hours we printed out the White House in yellow, the Taj Mahal in pink, the components for a disc shooter which my 15-year-old then put together, two pugs and various other strange creatures.

The printer food (i.e. the plastic that feeds into the machine to print) came in very bright and fun colours which would ideally suit younger children. Both of my children would have ideally liked more muted colours including black.

Both the children loved using it and it provided a creative past time that didn’t involve screens, which we could do as a family. Additionally, this is brilliant for any child studying Design Technology or Design.

Review 2 – Hannah Mobsby

  

I was very happy to see that many of the printed toys were exactly as they were designed on the app and the kids loved playing with the machine and the printed toys!

We did have a bit of a struggle with connecting the printer via the app but once it was online the app was really easy to use. It’s a super fun machine for the children and it can print many little objects for daily play. The toys printed quickly, which kept the kids happy and we loved how bright and engaging the colours are.

We would have loved it if the printer could have created items like a ball, puzzle or similar items that you could build or put together, but this was not an option. They could perhaps have less left-over plastic too to make it a bit more environmentally friendly.

Review 3 – Tara Walsh

  

The Toybox was met with much excitement in my home! We have the printer on the kitchen countertop. My 6-year-old son makes something when he gets home from school every day.  When they weren’t printing, they talked about what they could make. Getting to print something after school is something my son really looked forward to. It fired their imagination.

I loved that they wanted to share their discovery and the toys they made with others. I was interested that it made my 9-year-old think about inventions, the planet and design. It made my heart sing to watch my kids and their Dad working together in designing, making decisions on what to print and being involved with the process of creating. It surprised me that my son was so keen to use it every day and how pleased he was with what he made. It sparked creativity in him and he asked why and how things were made. I didn’t think I had an engineer in the house but maybe I do.

I would recommend this 3D printer especially if you have children who are creative, inquisitive, who like to see how things work, who like working on a little project alone or as part of a team. If they are LEGO lovers who like to build or budding inventors, they would enjoy it.  It’s more than a toy. It’s a tool.

Get your own

Toybox is the only 3D printer that children can use immediately and intuitively without the need for any background, knowledge or training. Toybox mobile app is designed easy to use for everybody and available for both iOS and Android devices. Just download it, create an account and start to enjoy! Toybox ensures children don’t get confused with the relatively complex operations found on most desktop 3D printers. Toybox is running a promotion especially for British Mums members! Just use the code BRITISHMUMS150 which gives you 150 AED discount for printer packs.

To find out more or to get your own, please email info@toyboxuae.com or visit https://www.toyboxuae.com/. 

You can also pop in at the Virgin Megastore in The Dubai Mall and Mall of The Emirates. For online purchases visit any of the following websites:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ae/TOYBOX-PRINTER-KIDS-DELUXE-PACK/dp/B07KKLRVMK

Mumzworld: https://www.mumzworld.com/en/toybox/

Virgin Megastore: https://www.virginmegastore.ae/brands/TOYBOX

Here’s some photos of the toys the children created.