For those in doubt: -----------
More on the same stuff, some company wants to make a 3D-printer for kids priced at 800 USD. So that's fairly affordable and I'm pretty sure you can make some cool stuff with that.
http://singularityhub.com/2011/10/12/origos-3d-printer-could-be-the-last-toy-your-ten-year-old-will-ever-need/
The principle for a laser-cutter should be the same I guess, but simpler as it would only be 2D.