Google launches Toontastic 3D, a new app for kids to animate with

Google just launched a new storytelling app that will help kids create their own cartoons.

It's called Toontastic 3D. Kids can use it to make animations using a set of built-in characters or create their own using the app's editor and camera. They can record sound and create a story, which is then saved as a 3D video.

A demo video for the app shows how you can draw a character in a 2D space, basically how you would in any paint program. The character is then rendered in 3D and inserted into a campfire scene.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In 2014, Google announced plans to revamp its products with a 12-and-under focus. Since then, the company has announced several standalone apps for kids, including YouTube Kids.

The company has also launched several family-oriented experiences with increased parental controls. Google acquired kids app-maker Launchpad Toys in early 2015 as part of its effort to push into kids technology. After the acquisition, Launchpad made its apps free for everyone.

And Google previously launched Telestory, an augmented reality video camera for kids to record their own TV shows. Both apps are widely praised by parents and educators.

Toontastic 3D is available for Android and iOS as of Thursday morning—if you're not seeing it yet, give your preferred app store some time to update.