3D Prints for Kids: 10 Creative Designs to Download and 3D Print
Exploring 3D printing models printed with various settings, print-in-place 3D models, and a few ways to enhance 3D printed models using different filaments and paints can be an excellent place to start the learning process. The children in your home or classroom may benefit most from your 3D printer. A wide range of teaching materials can also be made using a 3D printer and many toys for youngsters. You can have your child's favorite toy printed in the material and color of your choice, whether at home or school, if you and the kids need more time due to all of their extracurricular activities but still want to get them something special.
Before we look at the best 3D prints for kids, let’s have a look at the best 3D printing software for kids.
Best 3D Printing Software for Kids in 2023
There are a lot of 3D printing software available for kids; some are easy to use, while others have a steep learning curve. Some are free, others are paid, and the one you choose depends on what you want to design. For students, we recommend using SelfCAD. SelfCAD is a 3D modeling software for students that is easy to use and comes with interesting tools that anyone can learn just within a few hours. In addition to being a 3D design software, SelfCAD also comes with other powerful tools like rendering and animation, as well as an in-built online slicer that you can use to prepare the design for 3D printing by generating the G-code that you can send to your 3D printer.
Let’s now look into some of the most famous and creative 3D prints for kids.
1. Tinkerplay Velociraptor
Since it requires several 3D printed elements, this build is not simple, but it is well worth the effort. This is the ideal 3D printing project for a child who loves dinosaurs because it will produce an amazing articulated toy. To make dinosaurs with distinctive personalities, one creative approach is to print many dinosaur pieces using different colored filaments. Alternatively, to give it a robotic appearance, you may use metallic silver, copper, and gold colors for the body sections as the model's designer did.
The designer used PLA and nylon at the joints for longevity and reinforcement to print this velociraptor with a 0.2-mm layer height. PLA is, however, the best option to print it. This model was designed by shiuan for Thingiverse. The advantage of this model being available on Thingiverse is that it is cost-free.
Download link: Thingiverse.
2. Extended Train Track Set
Kids who have toy trains but want to explore new and exciting routes to travel will benefit from this railway track kit. Many different track components are available for these tracks, created specifically for the standard wooden toy trains. The inventor has also included a 3D printed train set that fits well to these tracks even if you don't have a wooden or another type of toy train. There are several train cars to print, ranging from tanker wagons to passenger cars.
Panning back to the track set, this undertaking consists of 50 distinct and separate parts, including switches, crossings, viaducts, bridges, curved and straight lines, and regulators and curves. Your children may create a brand-new train route each day using this track set and a variety of train carriages. The options are essentially limitless! This model designed by Michal Fanta is trendy on Printables with 94 makes and comments and 2 remixes.
Download link: Printables.
3. Robotic Hand
This robotic hand's frame, tendons, fingers, and joints are all printed simultaneously because it is a print-in-place project. Your kids can play or dress up like robots by pulling the ring in the middle to animate the hand's fingers. The tendons tend to break easily when the hand is produced in PLA all at once. The designer has added a distinct model of the tendon to handle this problem. As a result, you can quickly print a new tendon if one breaks. Finally, the print parameters described in this make are a fantastic place to start if you want to create a successful robotic hand using 3D printing.
The only slight problem is with thumb mobility. Cisco is the creative genius behind this design. On Printables, there are seven submitted makes for this toy. Because the tendons printed on the hand in PLA tend to break after a few pulls, many producers prefer PETG to PLA. This design has 25 reported makes and comments on Printables.
Download link: Printables.
4. Snap-on Marble Maze
This snap-together maze may be put together without glue or other tools, making it an excellent project for children. You can choose the maze's color, although the maker has supplied detailed print settings and assembly advice if you're interested. You can print this remixed version of the maze, which includes holes in the platform to offer a little challenge, if your kids master it and can complete it without assistance. Therefore, be careful where you place the marble because either you'll be safe or have to start over. This model was designed by ericman314. This model has 90 makes and comments on Printables.
Download link: Printables.
5. The Sphere-O-Bot
Compact, entertaining, and interactive, Sphere-O-Bot is a robot modeled after the first EggBot. Due to its open-source nature, this robot is simple to set up and operate, and as its name suggests, it excels at painting sphere- or egg-shaped objects. Anything with a comparable form and size, such as golf balls, light bulbs, and ping pong balls, can be decorated. Use this tiny robot to give any kid a crash course in robotics while giving them a creative outlet. Although this is perfect for decorating Easter eggs, don't forget to use it to create sphere-shaped Christmas ornaments! You may easily program it to draw a wide variety of shapes and patterns with a little effort.
This model has 48 makes and 25 remixes on Thingiverse. The model was designed by Jjrobots. To assist you in creating your bot, the designers have given a thorough assembly guide. A drawing and plotting tutorial is also included to help you get started on your Sphere-O-Bot adventure!
Download link: Thingiverse.
6. Fingerdigger
This model is a scaled-down replica of the well-known sandbox digging toy that can be moved with your fingertips and is entirely constructed of 3D-printed elements. To put this digger toy together after all the parts have been printed, you simply need to press some pegs into the links, arms, and axle. Your child could easily do it as well if they were watched. You can dig for fossils in your potted plant or gather candies from the ground.
Alternatively, you can print a larger version and bring it to the sandbox outside. Many of these prints will be entertaining for your kids and their pals. Designed by Zippitybamba for Thingiverse, this model has 50 makes and 7 remixes reported on Thingiverse.
Download Link: Thingiverse.
7. Klöts
These rapid shoe ties can be 3D printed and replace having to tie and untie your shoelaces. They secure your shoes more quickly, keep the tension constant, and don't leave any extra shoelace ends hanging around, which could cause you to trip. Additionally, you can alter them to match every pair of shoes.
Three sizes of Klöts are available: one for children's shoes, one for medium-sized shoes, and a third for adult boots. Your kids won't want to tie their shoelaces ever again after using Klöts. This model was designed by Kart5a for Thingiverse. It is favored on Thingiverse, with 138 makes and 21 remixes.
Download link: Thingiverse.
8. Rotating Machine
An all-in-one rotating machine of this brand features replaceable tools for various applications. This includes a fan, a mixer, a massager, a fishing reel, and other items. With this machine, your child will never get bored! A strong crank handle and a few gears rotate the tool's top and the attachment of your choice.
Kids can utilize the double whisk attachment on this appliance in the kitchen. Use only food-safe filament, please. Kids may learn a lot from this project by watching how to use 3D-printed models in practical situations. This was designed by pachek. It is fairly popular on Printables, with 31 makes and 1 remix.
Download link: Printables.
9. Sea Duck 3D Model
Those familiar with Sea Duck know it is a fictional airplane from the TaleSpin cartoon series. This simple model plane was created entirely using 3D printing. Additionally, it may be painted, making it a fun hobby for kids. Sea Duck is a seaplane, which explains why it floats and has a ship-like appearance. It can take off and land on water. You can explore and fiddle about to create the ideal 3D print because there are no recommended print parameters. As many community members have already shared their creations, this shouldn't be a challenging project. Just remember to add some paint to make it uniquely yours! Grafit designed this model. It is available on Printables. This model has 44 makes and 1 remix.
Download link: Printables.
10. Candy Dispenser
This candy dispenser resembles a vintage gumball machine and comes in a mason jar. Simply turn the knob, and sweets will start to fall out! A pen spring, rubber tabs, screws, hot glue, and a mason jar to hold the sweets are all necessary to construct this. The manufacturer suggests using 20% infill and a layer height of 0.2 mm for the print settings. The assembly video of this machine can be used as a guide for simple building. This model was designed by edgewoodmodern. The model is quite popular on Thingiverse, with 36 makes and 13 remixes.
Download link: Thingiverse.
Creative Fun With 3D Printing
Kids have much to benefit from having access to a 3D printer at home or school. The printer can print learning aids, toys, and tools that could have multiple applications in their daily lives as kids. You could use your creativity and design expertise to design these models, or you can download the STL files from a file-sharing platform.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.