3D printing is the future of science and tech. Experts say that it will revolutionize most fields, from construction and medicine to dining and space exploration. That being said, now more than ever is the best time to prepare the next generation for the future- and the market has the right kids 3D printers for that.
The best 3D printer for kids has similar features to what you’d find in a regular printer. However, the overall design is rethought to make operations safe, fun, and a piece of cake for younger users.
These kids 3D printer reviews include a guide for buying the best 3D printer for children and teens and our top picks in 2021.
Top-Rated 3D Printers for Kids in 2021
Toybox 3D Printer – Best 3D Printer for Kids 5yrs +
Kid’s 3D printers are engineered with the promise of making 3D printing more accessible and fun. The Toybox 3D printer is one machine that lives to this promise and is one of the best 3D printers for kids to buy now.
This is a small 3D printer measuring 7.4″ x 7.4″ x 9.05″ and weighing around 3 kgs. The frame is metallic and has open sides that allow easy access to the printhead and removable magnetic print bed.
The Toybox 3D printer comes almost fully assembled out of the box, so young creators can start printing almost immediately. The only setup required is to create an account at Make Toys and pair the printer with the profile.
After this, the user can easily control the printer from a computer or phone. The account also gives your child access to an enormous catalog with lots of free toys to print, including trains and tracks, miniature figurines, and castles. The user can also get more creative by modifying the existing toys, and there’s an option to draw or upload new designs. The Toybox 3D printer uses non-toxic PLA and is recommended for builders 5 years old and above.
Anbull Nano Plus – Inexpensive 3D Printer for Kids
Coming in at around 3 times cheaper than the Toybox above, the Anbull Nano Plus is our top pick for the best 3D printer for kids under $100. Its low price tag notwithstanding, this entry-level 3D printer is equally fun and impressively satisfying to use. This PLA machine is targeted at kids who not only want to see their favorite toys unfold in front of them but learn 3D printing.
Like other 3D printers for kids, the Anbul Nano Plus will ship fully assembled. You only need to attach the filament, heat the nozzle, insert the T-card, and start printing.
Speaking of printing, the Anbull Nano Plus has loads of printable models for complete beginners at EasyThreed. As your kids get the hang of how a 3D printer slicer works, they can start using the included slicing software to create their files. This doubles the fun while challenging their imagination.
Lonenessl ($115)
Safety is among the major aspects that the Lonenessl emphasizes. But beyond its full enclosure, this affordable 3D printer for kids also packs a wealth of features to make 3D printing awesomely fun for its intended users.
The first thing that users will like about it is its relative ease of use. This printer comes pre-assembled and calibrated out of the box, so you can start printing without a lot of tweaking.
The Lonenessl 3D printer is 8.8″ by 6.2″ by 8.6″ and barely 3 kgs in weight. Its bottom-heavy design and compact size make it stable on a desk, which is a huge bonus when dealing with kids.
This printer has a build volume of 3.14″ by 3.14″ by 3.14″ and prints on 1.75mm +/- 0.02 mm PLA filament. It prints from an SD card (no need to stay connected to a computer or Wi-Fi) and is compatible with free-slice and customized models. On this note, we appreciate that you can adjust the speed and printing temperature of this printer. This technically means that the printer grows with the kid. (Very cool!)
Monoprice Voxel – Best for Printing Different Materials
If you’re looking for the coolest 3D printer for young builders, the Monoprice Voxel could be it. This is an advanced printer compared to the models we’ve seen so far, but it also has a price to match (it starts at $399 on Amazon).
This printer’s greatest strength is its ability to print PLA and ABS, PETG, and Exotics. This makes it an excellent choice for teens who want a printer that takes them closer to the real deal.
The price of this printer also gets you a feature-rich machine with a 2.8″ IPS color touch screen, assisted bed-leveling, 8 GB internal memory, and a heated, flexible, and removable build plate.
This printer also has one of the largest build volumes in this list at 150mm by 150mm by 150mm. But a feature we don’t often see, even in most regular 3D printers, is its built-in 2MP HD camera that makes remote monitoring possible. Another major feature here is that this printer is Polar Cloud-enabled. Generally, this means that you can control most functions of this printer, from slicing to queuing jobs remotely.
FlashForge Finder Plus
The FlashForge Finder Plus is another moderately priced printer targeted to novices and kids who want to learn how to design in 3D. In line with its purported, the FlashForge Finder Plus covers pretty much all the bases.
This machine comes fully assembled and ready to churn out ideas into tangible objects. Although it features an open-frame design, the FlashForge Finder Plus prints on a cold deck, so the risk of burnt fingers is significantly reduced.
This PLA-only 3D printer is designed to be a breeze to use. It boasts Wi-Fi connectivity, making it possible to send your files from your computer directly to its 8GB internal memory. It’s Cloud-enabled, too, and you can also transfer your files using a USB stick.
Considerations When Buying a 3D Printer for Kids- Buying Guide
And if you are thinking about creating your own digital models, check out our article about reviews of the best 3d scanners.
Type of Printer- Filament vs. Resin?
Health and safety concerns will be your foremost considerations when choosing between filament and resin 3D printers. With FDM printers for kids, the first safety concern relates to moving parts that may pinch little fingers. The second issue is regarding hot parts that may cause burns, for instance, the hot end and build plate (if heated).
On the other hand, resin printers pose more health issues. Because using these printers involves handling uncured resin directly, the main concern here is exposure to the chemicals and fumes, which could lead to allergies and immune system issues.
Of the two, filament printers are much easier to deal with since most of them come already fully enclosed. Most of them also have a non-heated build plate.
There are measures and strategies you could take to mitigate the health and safety concerns with resin-based printers. But overall, these printers are a bit more involved even in their operations. Thus, we wouldn’t recommend them as your kids’ first 3D printing machine.
Full Enclosure vs. Open Air
You’ll realize that most machines in kids 3D printer reviews are fully enclosed. This is important for several reasons. First, this design provides much-needed protection from the nozzle and build plate that can get dangerously hot.
Second, a closed print chamber helps with temperature stability by preventing unwanted airflow. This makes it possible to print with a wide range of materials while ensuring better print quality. Also, fully enclosed 3D printers for kids tend to be considerably quieter than their open-air alternatives.
You could also go with an open-air 3D printer, especially if it’s intended for older children. However, in this case, it’s wise to have the machine in a well-ventilated area, for instance, in the garage. In addition, we’d recommend adding a Raspberry Pi with Octoprint and a webcam so that the kids can control the printer remotely.
Get a machine that’s easy to use!
Before locking your small 3D printer purchase, consider how easy it will be for your kids to use it. The whole idea behind buying an at-home 3D printer for children is to inspire confidence as they take their first steps in the world of manufacturing.
One way of doing this is ensuring that the machine is easy and fun to use. Some of the things to look for here include straightforward setup and assembly and an intuitive control panel. Also, keep an eye out for printers with a larger build volume. Being able to print parts without splitting will easily make the printer well worth the investment.
Our Conclusion ….
3D printing for kids is as fun for kids as it is for adults. But besides the fun aspect, this is a rewarding hobby that introduces the upcoming generation to a technology that will be at the center of the manufacturing industry soon. We hope these kids 3D printer reviews and buying guide will direct you to a machine you’ll all enjoy!
