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3Doodler Start Is a 3D Printing Pen for Kids

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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The company behind the world's first 3D printing pen is back with a new, safer model just for kids.

The 3Doodler Start, unveiled Tuesday, is a child-friendly version of WobbleWorks's 3Doodler pen. Specifically designed for kids ages 8 through 13, the 3Doodler Start has small hands in mind, with no hot parts, one speed, and one temperature.

Described as "the pen that draws in the air," the 3Doodler Start uses WobbleWorks's "environmentally friendly eco-plastics," which are made from BPA-free, food-safe materials. When the plastic comes out of the pen, it's warm but "completely safe to touch." For a look at the 3Doodler Start in action, check out the video below.

The pen heats up in 30 to 40 seconds; when the LED light turns from red to green you'll know it's ready. From there, just pick your favorite color plastic, insert it into the pen, press the main button once to being creating your 3D masterpiece, and click the button again when you're done.

The device is available for pre-order now on the 3Doodler site for $39.99 and is slated to begin shipping worldwide in May.

It has a rechargeable battery inside offering 45 minutes to an hour of continuous, wireless use, and can be charged from a laptop or wall via micro USB port.

"3Doodler Start inspires creativity, design, building and spatial understanding, opening up 3D creation to a whole new generation," 3Doodler Co-Founder Daniel Cowen said in a statement. "This is not a fad toy; we believe that, like LEGO and now Minecraft, the 3Doodler Start will become part of every kid's upbringing."

For more, check out PCMag's full review of the original WobbleWorks 3Doodler.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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