There are many reasons to buy a 3D printer for kids. Perhaps, you are just getting into the hobby and want to share it with your kids. They are also a great way to build creativity and learn about technology. Buying a kids 3D printer must consider several things that might not apply to adults. This roundup review will help you understand what you need to consider when purchasing a 3D printer for kids.
In this article, we are going to review the following 3D Printers:
Things to Consider
You want your child to have a good experience when entering the world of 3D printing. The question that you might have is whether it is best to buy a 3D printer made for kids, or whether you might want just to allow them to play with yours. Many factors must be considered in your decision.
Why should you buy a 3D printer for kids and young adults?
A 3D printer is more than just another toy. It can be a tool to help with your child’s development and learning. There are many reasons why purchasing a 3D printer is a good investment for your child.
- Sparks STEM interest – Buying a 3D printer for children and teens is a good way to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They will learn about how computers work, how 3D printing works and some basic programming. This might be the spark that ignites a lifelong love of science.
- Expands creativity – 3D printing allows children to expand their creativity and develop it beyond a two-dimensional medium. This is an important skill, and they can have fun creating their own toys and objects that they can hold.
- Prepares them for the future – 3D printing is a relatively new technology on the mass market, but in a few years, it will be a common part of the everyday world. Some of us can remember a time when much of the technology that we have now did not exist. We had a huge learning curve when learning to use it, but kids who grew up with it did not have that same learning curve, it came naturally for them. The same will be true for 3d printing.
- Builds connections – Children can create things with their friends, allowing more time to build strong social ties and common interests as they explore together. It can also give you a point of connection with them as you create things together.
As you can see, the sooner you introduce children to this new technology, the more prepared they will be for the future. A 3D printer is more than just a toy, and it opens a whole new world to them. BEANZ is a great kid’s magazine designed to introduce them to the basics of the world of 3D printing.
What specs are important for 3D printers for children and teens?
Of course, just as with buying a 3D printer for yourself, you want the best printer that you can get for the best price. However, when purchasing one for your kids, there are a few more important considerations.
Are 3D printers safe for kids?
As parents, safety is the number one consideration when it comes to buying a kids’ 3D printer. Children should never be left alone with a 3D printer. They are not toys, but this can be a great place to teach your child good safety practices. Even children’s printer extruders heat to 260 degrees Celsius and build plates heat to 100 degrees Celsius. This can cause severe burns in less than a second.
They also have fast-moving parts that can be dangerous for tiny hands and fingers. Some filaments emit particles or hazardous fumes that can be toxic, so you want to consider this factor too. Of course, it uses electricity, which poses another potential hazard for kids.
How to choose the best 3D Printer for young designers?
The next thing you want to consider is which printer is best for your child. Of course, this depends on your child’s age and level of ability. Here are some things to consider.
- Preassembled? Some printers come mostly preassembled and can be put together by the child. Other kits come with a considerable amount of assembly involved. This can be an advantage for more advanced children, as they can see how it works and what all of the parts do. You need to consider how much you will need to be involved in the process and your level of knowledge and ability to help, too.
- Ease of use. The next consideration is how easy it is to use. How much help will your child need in loading the filament, choosing and uploading designs, removing the completed piece and preparing the printer for the next job? These are all questions you need to ask before choosing your printer.
- Moving parts/enclosure. Having the moving parts enclosed is a particularly important consideration for younger children. It is best to have a glass or plastic enclosure around all parts to protect little fingers from moving parts. Some have clear protective panels so that your child can see how everything works but cannot get their fingers too close.
- Filament types. Even the best 3D printer for teenager users are limited in the types of filaments that they can accept. There are some fun filaments available, like glow-in-the-dark filament and some with sparkles, but not all 3D printers will accept these. The reason for limited filaments is that manufacturers chose filaments that are forgiving and can be processed at lower temperatures. Fumes are another consideration in a kid-friendly 3D printer.
- Ease of Software Use. 3D printers for kids often have software that is easy to use. This is especially important for those that are made for younger children. This also means that much of the software is limited in its capabilities. This might not be ideal for older teens or those who want to begin doing their own design. Make sure the level of software is right for the age and abilities of your child.
- Build space. One thing to be sure to check is the size of the build space. Some printers made for children have a small build platform. This might not be enough for larger objects such as drone parts, Barbie dolls or RC cars. Make sure the build platform is large enough to be fun.
Best Kid Friendly 3d Printer Models
Now that you know a few of the things to consider when choosing a kids 3D printer, let’s take a look at some of our top choices.
XYZprinting Da Vinci Mini
This 3D printer is an excellent printer for toys and other household objects. It can easily connect to a home Wi-Fi network, which means that you can print from anywhere in your house and makes it portable. You do not have to print from your office. It has a 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 aluminum print bed, and the printer produces high-quality prints, especially for an entry-level model. This is an easy printer to set up. It comes with XYZmaker software installed with the print setting already adjusted. All you have to do is to press print. We also like it because it uses safe, DEHP-free PLA print material. We like this one best for its ease of use.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- 120 mm/s print speed
- 100-400 micron layer resolution
- Connects to home Wi-Fi from anywhere
- Low operating temperature
Cons
- Not configurable, limits ability
- Limited file formats
- Limited material compatibility
- Only one nozzle
Monoprice Select Mini
This is as simple as an entry-level printer gets. It is small and comes preassembled. It is ready to go right out of the box, has a selection of preinstalled models and a sample of PLA filament. You can print from a microSD card within minutes of unpacking it. This one has a heated build plate and nozzle cooling fan. The only thing we do not like is that the plate gets extremely hot and is open. It also has exposed moving parts. This would be the best 3D printer for teenage users, but not for younger children for this reason.
Pros
- No set-up required
- Comes with Preinstalled models
- Uses free open-source software
- Windows and Mac compatible
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Print bed not enclosed
- Exposed moving parts
- Slower speed, 55 mm/s
- Print bed and nozzle are extremely hot
Flashforge Finder
The Flashforge Finder is our pick for a high-quality, inexpensive printer that produces an excellent experience for the beginning maker. We like this one because it is close to the experience of using a higher-end package, with easy setup and excellent print quality. You can use a number of different filaments, including some fun ones like color change, pearl, elastic and wood-filled filaments. It has acrylic covers that keep moving and hot parts from little fingers. Younger children can watch the process safely.
Pros
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Color touchscreen
- Removable build plate
- Quiet operation
- Excellent print quality
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavier than others, 31.5 pounds
- Small build volume
- Small filament cartridge
- Not many options for expansion
Sindoh 3DWOX 1
The Sindoh 3DWOX 1 printer is an excellent printer for beginners. There are many things that we like about this printer, including its flexible bed that makes it easy to remove objects. It also has a HEPA filter, which reduces toxic fumes and odor. This printer is easy to use and has assisted bed leveling. It is also compatible with a variety of filaments, including PLA, ABS, ASA and PETG. The print bed is 8.3 x 7.8 x 7.7 inches, which is large for an entry-level printer. This printer would be a good choice for older children.
Pros
- Compatible with other filament brands
- Flexible bed for easy removal
- HEPA filter reduces particulates and odor
- Quiet operation
- Easy bed leveling
- 5-inch color touchscreen
- Excellent print quality
- Large print bed
Cons
- Must have newer Windows and Mac OS
- Lacks advanced design options
- Works best with branded filament
- Limited configurability
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This printer would be an excellent choice for smaller children. It is extremely small in overall size but also has a small build area. One thing that we liked about it is that you can modify and existing 3D file, which allows children to expand their creativity. It comes fully assembled and has auto-leveling. It has excellent resolution and can support a number of different file formats. We think this is an excellent beginner model.
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Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Great for small toys
- It is easy to use
- Comes fully assembled
- Has auto leveling
- Resolution of 100-400 microns
Cons
- Small build area, 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
- Exposed build plate and moving parts
- Works best in a low-humidity environment
Conclusion
There are many options for a kid-friendly 3D printer, but in our opinion, the clear winner is the No products found.. It is a great way to explore 3D printing for kids. We like it because it is easy to operate, and they can create their own designs. This allows them to expand their skills and grow. It is perfect for younger makers who want to create small objects and explore the world of beginning design.
We like the No products found.. Still, the best 3D printer for teenager users might be the Flashforge Finder because you can use different filaments, and it is closer to a more professional model than some of the others. Choosing the best 3D printer for your child must take into consideration whether the model can grow as the child acquires more skills. All of these are excellent choices for beginners and those who want to a good start in the world of 3D printing.
Last update on 2024-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
