Printers are really great when you have children. It's amazing what a few printed sheets can become, and how long they can last. Some crafts I've made with my printer have lasted years and still serve their purpose.
It's true that printer paper even without a printer can be great for creativity. Blank paper, crayons, and pens have been all my kids need to have countless hours of creative time.
Even so, that's not exactly the same as being able to print up coloring sheets, or custom chore charts, or Lego Mario barcodes, creations they made on the computer or iPad, maps, Pokémon data sheets and type charts, etc.. And sure, some of those could be made by hand, but that would be an activity in itself instead of assisting an existing activity. Yak shaving.