Does one of your children have a birthday looming? Is the pressure mounting as you try to think of something new and exciting to do this year? If you live in the Greater Boston area, not only can you enjoy the perks of a cool new 3D printing shop, but you can also be the parent who puts a new spin on the birthday circuit with a 3D printing birthday celebration at Toys in Box. Now that’s an original idea—not to mention a party that will be talked about for years.
While we might be hooked on the birthday party idea, Wellesley, Massachusetts is indeed now graced with a well-rounded, inspirational store for 3D printing enthusiasts of all ages. With the Toys in Box grand opening just recently on October 11th, the doors are open to everyone who wants to purchase 3D printing items, supplies, and more—or to those who simply want to learn more about the new technology.
Toys in Box is formally owned by Jessica Kong, but the whole family was bitten by the 3D printing bug when they visited the South by Southwest (SXSW) show in Austin last year. Before jumping into opening the full store they very wisely tested the market with a retail cart at the Burlington Mall in Greater Boston. The cart was very popular, and encouraged them to proceed further with the expansion of the store, at 1 Cameron Street, Wellesley—right next to the local library. Location, location!
As a business inspired by a family of 3D printing hobbyists, the family approach is apparent in the store. Toys in Box is very family friendly and kid oriented, as their name denotes. Along with a host of services, activities, and 3D printing supplies and resources for sale, they also offer a toy swap for kids so that they can trade with each other and earn points to buy other items. Children are even empowered with the ability at Toys in Box to ask for different colors and designs of 3D printed items.
In her previous home city of Austin, TX, Kong was inspired to offer the toy swap by the Trade Counter at the Austin Nature and Science Center. Toys in Box encourages the kids to write and share information about the toys they are swapping, with additional ‘points’ being given for the more details they impart.
Toys in Box is opening just in time for the holidays, giving them the opportunity to show the stuff that 3D printing is made of, with a bustling store filled with happy, inquisitive children sure to be wowed with the wonders of new technology.
Already, they are in full swing with 3D printers running, colorful toys and items sprinkling the store, and an array of everything the 3D printing enthusiast in Massachusetts could envision, including a classroom and a separate birthday party area.
Toys in Box also offers:
- 3D photo booth
- Full body scanning
- Printers and scanners
- Plastic Objects
- Jewelry
Along with birthday parties where the celebrating kiddies can experiment with all that 3D printing has to offer, Toys in Box will also offer 3D printing training and consulting, spreading the cheer far and wide to curious and creative residents.
Kong reports in her monthly newsletter, Toys in Box Times, that Toys in Box also plans to offer in-store, web based live toy auctions. Do you have a 3D printing venue like this in your area, or if you live in the Greater Boston area, have you visited this shop? Tell us about it at the Toys in Box forum thread at 3DPB.com.
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