3D Printing Elves Surge in Demand After Teacher's Viral TikTok Praise

A Unique Workshop Making a Big Impact

In the small workshop located at Vincent and Allyson Wall's home, there is constant activity. The 3D Printing Elves, as they are affectionately known, are producing an impressive number of toys that are then given away to children in need.

"We just print non-stop and give them away," Vincent shared. This statement perfectly captures the spirit of their mission. The workshop is where they create boxes filled with tiny dragons, turtles, octopuses, and many other imaginative figures. These toys are primarily distributed to children in Fresno and Madera County, with a particular focus on those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The couple started their journey during the pandemic. "I wanted a printer to play with. She wanted me to print things around the house that she could use," Vincent explained. "And then I got bored," added Allyson. Their initial efforts were for their children's classes, but it quickly expanded to include the entire school. From there, they began making toys for donations to Toys for Tots. However, they wanted to continue this work year-round, which led to the formation of the 3D Printing Elves as a nonprofit organization in 2024.

Expanding Reach and Impact

The 3D Printing Elves accept toy requests online, and their three sons, aged 24, 10, and 8, play a crucial role in quality control. "If they can break it, we won't make it, or if they say, this isn't cool," Allyson explained. This process ensures that only the best toys are produced and given to children.

Annually, the Walls have been creating approximately 16,000 toys. However, recent demand has surged dramatically after a Fresno Unified teacher, Bailey Parks, shared a positive experience on TikTok. In her video, Parks highlighted the value of the 3D Printing Elves as a free resource for educators in the Central Valley. The video gained over 40,000 views, and their inbox quickly filled up with requests.

"In four days, the requests have been for over 50,000 toys," Allyson said. The majority of these requests are for sensory regulation supports for students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other focus challenges. While the Walls aim to fulfill every order, each toy takes about an hour and a half to produce, leading them to add a disclaimer on their website regarding slower-than-usual turnaround times.

Supporting the Mission

The nonprofit relies on donations and discounted materials to keep costs low. The Walls emphasize their mission of giving back, stating that they want to help others just as they have been helped throughout their lives.

"Somebody has helped us throughout every stage of our lives, and now it's our turn to be able to help others," Vincent said.

For those interested in requesting toys for their classroom or organization, or for those wishing to support the 3D Printing Elves through donations, more information can be found by clicking here.