If you’re planning to get something unique for your kids during the holiday season, let it be a 3D printer. A 3D printer not only enhances creativity in children but also provides them with a way to build objects. Imagine having the ability to print out an action figure or a toy right at home! Isn’t it cool? If you like the idea, we’ve made it easy for you by listing some of the best 3D printers for kids.
There are several kids-friendly 3D printers that have simple interfaces and functions. Depending on how old your kids are, you can choose from an entry-level children’s 3D printer to a sophisticated one with better capabilities. But before we get to the best 3D printers for kids —
- Looking for a reliable color printer? Consider getting a color laser printer for your home or office.
- Cut the cords using a wireless printer for Mac and Windows.
- Bring your photos to life using photo printers with an SD card slot.
1. SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen
Type: PLA Filament only
Before we get to the full-fledged printers, you might want to consider a 3D pen like this one from SCRIB3D. It’s much more affordable compared to a printer and gives your kids an entry into the world of 3D objects.
The SCRIB3D 3D pen has a filament inlet at the top to input PLA filament. There are several different colors of filament you can buy so if you’re designing an object with different colors, all you have to do is swap out the filament and continue to draw.
Speaking of drawing, the pen has a button that you can press to extrude the filament. The brand provides some stencils in the package that you can draw on to create 3D objects. Apart from that, you can also draw 3D structures by drawing multiple layers on top of the filament. With over 11,000 reviews on Amazon, the SCRIB3D pen is a popular product among both kids and parents.
While it’s worth the money, there is one con that several users mention. Just like most new products, there is a learning curve to controlling the temperature and extrusion from the nozzle of the pen. If you can get past this, the pen gets easier to use.
Pros
Cons
2. Creality Resin 3D Printer Halot One Plus
Type: Resin
There are largely two types of 3D printers that are commonly used — FDM and SLA. While FDM uses layers of filament to form objects, SLA printers like this one from Creality use Resin. The Creality Halot One Plus is an entry-level resin 3D printer that’s good for kids and beginners.
There are several reasons why you might want to get a resin 3D printer. The prints are generally of better quality, have a smoother finish, and are even waterproof. If these are the parameters you’re keen on, the Halot One Plus is a good pick. However, it’s also worth noting that resin printers are pricier in the long run since resin is more expensive than buying filaments.
Moreover, resin prints also take longer to complete since each layer needs to be cured individually. If you can deal with these drawbacks, the Creality Halot One Plus offers a large enough print area with an LCD screen for controls. As per reviews, the prints are precise albeit slow. For the price, the Halot One Plus is one of the best resin printers you can buy in terms of print quality.
Add to it Creality’s cloud integration and you have a competitive 3D printer that’s good for kids. Just ensure you supervise them for the first few times since dealing with resin can be tricky.
Pros
Cons
3. Entina Mini 3D Printer Tina 2
Type: FDM
Ideally, FDM 3D printers are the way to go — especially if you’re going to use them at home. The Tina 2 is an FDM 3D printer from Entina Mini and as the name suggests — it’s a small-sized 3D printer that can help kids learn more about 3D printing.
While the cute and compact size of the Tina 2 is handy, it’s also a con since it automatically reduces the printing area. So, you won’t be able to print large figurines or models. Apart from this, the Entina Mini 3D printer is fantastic for beginners since it offers a user-friendly interface and the ability to print multiple different materials.
You can use PLA or even TPU filaments since the printer has an enclosure. Premium features like auto bed leveling and a magnetic bed are also present on the Tina 2. Unlike most 3D printers, the Tina 2 even comes pre-assembled making it a plug-and-play printer. If you don’t want to spend too much time just setting up a 3D printer and learning more about it, the Entina Mini Tina 2 fits the bill perfectly as per reviews.
Even the software used to generate codes for the prints — commonly referred to as a slicer — is included within an SD card provided in the box. So, you’re all set from the get-go.
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Cons
4. Creality Ender 3
Type: FDM
The Ender 3 from Creality is a departure from 3D printers specifically made for kids. However, what makes it a good 3D printer for children is its low price tag and reliable print quality on a budget.
Creality is one of the most popular brands making 3D printers. And the Ender 3 series is among the most popular line-ups of 3D printers from the brand. The baseline Ender 3 has an advanced extruder that prevents filament jamming when printing large objects. Moreover, the printer can heat up the bed to 110 degrees — pretty much the maximum temperature to print any material — in just under five minutes.
Since this is a sophisticated 3D printer, the build area is also quite large so you don’t have to be worried about being unable to print tall objects. Action figures, toys, tools — you name them and the Ender 3 can print them. In fact, there are close to 15,000 reviews on Amazon for the Creality Ender 3 with the general consensus being that it’s among the best entry-level 3D printers you can buy.
Do note though that hundreds of users have pointed to the fact that the instructions provided in the package to build the printer are hard to follow. You’ll be better off following a YouTube video. This is disappointing since the way you build the printer determines your print quality. So if you have young kids, spend some time with them to build the Ender 3 properly and they’ll be good to go.
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Cons
5. Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro
Type: FDM
When I was in the market for a 3D printer, I personally did a lot of research and found that the Ender 3 S1 Pro is one of the best value-for-money 3D printers you can buy. It may not necessarily be the best, but the features it offers paired with the new Sprite extruder make it an excellent choice for first-time 3D printer buyers.
If you are willing to stretch your budget, I highly recommend upgrading to the Ender 3 S1 Pro from the standard Ender 3 from Creality. This is primarily because the new hot-end extruder on the S1 Pro can achieve much higher temperatures which opens doors to printing using a variety of materials. The Ender 3 S1 Pro can handle PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, PVA, and even wood.
The printer also gets CR touch auto-leveling which ensures your print bed is always level to achieve the best prints. While the print quality is excellent, the instructions provided with the S1 Pro are also bad just like with the Ender 3. So if you can spend some time with the initial setup, this is a set-it-and-forget-it 3D printer that can churn out excellent prints.
Pro tip: I personally paired the Ender 3 S1 Pro with the Creality Sonic Pad for better print quality and faster prints. It also gives you Wi-Fi connectivity and several other features so if you want to give your kids the ultimate 3D printing experience, the Sonic Pad is a good investment.
Pros
Cons
6. AOSEED X-MAKER 3D Printer for Kids
Type: FDM
Alright, we’re back to 3D printers focused on kids. The AOSEED X-Maker is a sophisticated 3D printer that has a built-in enclosure. It has automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi printing, and a few other premium features that demand a higher price tag.
If you want a no-frills experience and don’t want to go through the hassle of building a 3D printer all by yourself, the X-MAKER is the way to go. It comes pre-built so you don’t have to put in any effort. Moreover, it has an enclosure which is much safer for younger children since there are no fumes and the hot-end is out of reach.
The biggest USP of the AOSEED X-Maker 3D printer is its kids-friendly software. Firstly, you don’t need a computer or complex slicing programs to print an object. Kids can even use an iPad or a smartphone to print figurines or toys. Moreover, the brand has gamified its apps to make them more user-friendly for children. These are certainly excellent additions since they reduce the involvement of parents to a large extent.
It’s worth noting though that the X-MAKER only supports printing in PLA so you won’t be able to experiment with other filament materials. If that’s not a problem, the AOSEED X-Maker is probably the best 3D printer for kids to operate.
Pros
Cons
Bring Ideas to Life
The biggest advantage of a 3D printer is the fact that you can create real-life objects using your imagination. Print action figures, articulating toys, keychains, rings — or just about anything your children want using the best 3D printers for kids mentioned above.
Last updated on 27 November, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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