3D printing is increasingly becoming not only affordable but also kid-friendly, opening limitless opportunities. This is perhaps the most advanced STEM tool that lets your child create just anything that fits inside the printer. A great chance to show your child how fascinating engineering could be. But keep in mind that safety considerations are paramount in choosing a 3D printer for kids.

1. FlashForge Finder 3D Printers with Cloud, Wi-Fi, USB cable
Recommended by parents and teachers, this 3D printer for kids is easy to use, quiet, and packed with features. Safe in operation, it uses non-toxic PLA. The unit has a 3.5” touchscreen, the 2nd gen Wi-Fi, and supports 3D Cloud function.

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2. Mini Desktop 3D Printer, DIY Kit for Beginners Kids Teens
Equally great for kids and beginners, the printer is accurate, has a professional nozzle, and a 120*120*120 mm printing size. The 30W unit is energy-efficient yet fast-heating. It warms up in 3 minutes and produces only 60dB of noise.

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A 3D printing pen like 3Doodler is a foolproof choice for younger children or those who have difficulties in handling a printer. With such a pen, you can leave your kids unattended because it is a much safer option. Like a printer, a 3D pen heats a plastic filament to the melting temperature and then extrudes it through a nozzle.

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Which 3D Printers Are Suitable for Kids?

When the nozzle is heated, it can cause burns upon touch, while the machine’s moving parts may trap hair or clothing. That is why for younger children, it is advisable to buy a fully enclosed printer like the Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D Printer, which also comes with a non-heated build plate.

From our perspective, the best option is the FlashForge Finder 3D Printer. Customized for young users, it still has all the main features of a full-fledged 3D printer. We would recommend this product for 11-year-old children and up, provided they have basic knowledge of computers. Made with a non-heated build plate, the printer is safe during operation. Besides, it comes with a roll of non-toxic PLA filament, which is important because 3D printers can release plastic particles into the air. Apart from being safe for children, the FlashForge is easy to use. It includes FlashPrint software allowing for fully automated slicing, however, temperature and speed settings need to be adjusted manually. Another advantage of this machine is a slide-in build plate that will let your kid easily remove the printed objects.

For budget buyers, we suggest the Kacsoo Mini Desktop 3D Printer. With a smaller printing size and fewer features, it is a still good value for money. It is well suitable for children because of its usability and convenience in operation. The printer features a removable build plate, contains only 3 main parts, weighs just 4 pounds, and uses non-toxic plastic. That said, the printer is not enclosed, so make sure that your kid does not touch the machine while it is working.

How 3D printing works

Now, let's take a brief look at how 3D printing works. The initial model is created on a computer with the use of special software or selected from a database. After that, the model is transferred to your 3D printer. To get the model printed, you need a filament. The most common materials used in 3D printing include resin and plastic, however, more advanced models can also work with metal, ceramic, and sandstone. The printer then heats and extrudes the material out of a computer-controlled nozzle. In most cases, 3D printing takes no more than a couple of hours but larger projects may require several days to be completed.

Printing Pens: a Simpler and Safer Alternative

Well, take the 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen, for instance, which is actually the best product on the market. The device is made with a speed control button as well as an up/down button. It is easy to manipulate and offers a smooth operation. However, the pen is suggested for kids aged 14 and up. So if you have a younger child, go for the 3Doodler Start Essentials designed for girls and boys ages 6 and up. Why? There are no external hot elements while the extruded plastic hardens very fast. Let alone its usability and kid-friendly design. Note that 3Doodler pens are compatible and work only with 3mm plastic filaments.

If your kid wants to create more complicated objects, go with the MYNT3D Super 3D Pen. Crafted with an OLED display, this adjustable 1.75mm 3D pen can cope with the most sophisticated artwork.

Got interested? Check out our comprehensive guide to 3D printing pens and plastic filaments they use.

Best-Selling 3D Printers for Kids | Comparison Table

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Products with a 5-star rating

 

Product5 Stars Votes
FlashForge Finder 3D Printers with Cloud, Wi-Fi, USB cable and Flash drive connectivity599(51.1%)
QIDI Technology X-one2 Single Extruder 3D Printer, Metal Frame Structure,Platform Heating486(41.4%)
LGT Longer Cube 2 Entry-Level Mini 3D Printer, Integrated FDM 3D Printer for Kids and Beginners with Touch Screen, Resume Printing, Removable Magnetic Build Plate, Quiet Printing, 1.75mm PLA Filament29(2.5%)
LONGER Cube 2 Mini 3D Printer for Kids, 99% Pre-Assembled Entry-Level Printer with Touch Screen, Resume Printing, Removable Magnetic Build Plate29(2.5%)
Creality Ender 3 3D Printer FDM DIY Kit with Resume Power Failure Printer for Beginners and Kids, 220x220x250mm, Pimiho 2020 Ender-3 Series27(2.3%)
Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Fully Open Source with Resume Printing Function DIY 3D Printers Printing Size 220x220x250mm3(0.3%)
Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Fully Open Source with Resume Printing Function DIY 3D Printers Printing Size 220x220x250mm0(0%)

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8 Best 3D Printers For Kids

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