Best 3D Printer for Kids 2024: Top Kid-Friendly 3D Printer Picks

The 3D printer market has exploded in popularity lately, to the point where it’s even a challenge to narrow down a list of the best 3D printers for kids down to five choices! 3D printing is no longer simply for adults or professionals. More and more parents are using simplified 3D printers to help their kids improve their engineering and mathematical skills, along with allowing for a fun creative exercise!

We’ve put together a buyer’s guide of the best 3D printers for kids: combining accessibility, versatility and creativity into an elegant model for children as young as ten years old!

How We Picked the Best 3D Printer for Kids

We took a long, hard look at the best 3D printers for kids on the market, but with some key specifications. We tried to focus on relatively simple beginner 3D printers which wouldn’t be too hard for kids to get to grips with. Similarly, there are budgetary considerations: “easy” doesn’t always mean “cheap”, so we’ve accounted for 3D printers across a range of budgets. Of course, with these in mind, overall performance was the other main factor. We looked for units that printed reliably and to a high standard, with quality-of-life features such as automated leveling or filament run-out detection as an added bonus.

For more information on the key factors that decide the best 3D printers, check out our section on Features and Considerations after our rankings.

Toybox 3D Printer

Specifications

• Build Volume: 70mm x 80mm x 90mm
• Filament: Toybox Food Filament
• Connectivity Technology: WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ, GCode

What We Think

Intuitively designed to make printing as simple as possible, the Toybox makes for an excellent entry-point into the world of 3D printing.

Reasons to Buy

• Edible filament – whilst most full-fledged 3D printers use unsafe thermoplastics, you’re actually meant to eat the Toybox’s filament.
• Easy to use – both assembly and operation are quick and easy, getting you printing in no time.

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited to edible filament – we hope you have an appetite, as the only models you can make with the Toybox are edible ones.

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With a simple interface and a compact design, the Toybox 3D Printer is our top choice for child-friendly creativity. It features a one-touch control which goes a long way in ensuring that children as young as five do not get bored while using it. After a quick assembly, you’ll be printing in no time with no adjustments needed, and can adjust easily from a compatible smartphone or tablet. Choose from an array of pre-designed models on the Toybox site, or create your own edible designs. That’s right: with the big draw of this kids’ 3D printer is the ability to feed your designs in order to feed yourself, with Toybox including spools of flavored food filament with this 3D printer!

That is the only filament you can use, however, as the Toybox’s equal parts feature and flaw is the exclusive limitation to edible filament – anything else can risk damaging the printer and making future edible products toxic. Though this is a limiting factor, it allows children to safely use a 3D printer, with minimal hazards. We still highly recommend the Toybox as a safe and fun way to introduce 3D printing to children!

Monoprice Voxel

Specifications

• Build Volume: 150mm x 150mm x 150 mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG
• Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFI
• Filetype: STL

What We Think

For more mature children that want a more involved experience, the Voxel strikes a great balance between beginner-friendliness and printing complexity.

Reasons to Buy

• Full-fledged printer – unlike the Toybox, the Voxel comes with all the top features of a 3D printer.
• Closed frame – for safety’s sake, this enclosed 3D printer keeps any noxious fumes contained.

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited spool size – a strange limiting factor, you’ll find the spools are never quite large enough to accommodate more complex designs.

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For a more involved 3D printing experience, the Monoprice Voxel strikes a balance between full-fledged industrial 3D printers and the beginner-level designs – less of a toy, more of a tool.

Featuring a closed-frame design and automatic leveling, the Voxel displays a level of technical competency that some mid-range 3D printers fail to attain. Whilst other 3D printers can make swapping over different nozzles a cumbersome task, this printer is unique in allowing for quick nozzle replacement in moments. The flexible printing bed also makes for easy removal of models upon completion, and you can send designs to the printer remotely thanks to its cloud-based connectivity.

There is a major limiting factor to this 3D printer, however. The amount of filament you can feed through the Voxel is small, making for tedious and constant replacements of your chosen filament. But for small and infrequent use, the Voxel is hard to beat as one of the best 3D printers for kids and teenagers – combining the complexities of 3D printing with a simplistic design.

Sindoh 3dwox dp200

Specifications

• Build Volume: 200mm x 200mm x 185mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, WiFI
• Filetype: STL, OBJ, PLY

What We Think

Though it can’t entirely prevent the risk of accidents, the 3dwox does all that it can to ensure a safe 3D printing experience.

Reasons to Buy

• Safety features – boasting additional safety features such as an air purification system to reduce toxic fumes, the 3dwox takes the extra step to avoid harm.
• Open source – you have a wide range of filament options at your disposal with this 3D printer.

Reasons to Avoid

• Premium pricing – this may not be suited as a first-time 3D printer purchase.

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3D printing is not without its risks, but the Sindoh 3dwox dp200 manages to minimize them. Featuring an intelligent design and a gamut of great features, this is a premium 3D print experience for older children all the way up to adults!

Nearly every potential hazard or hassle of a 3D printer has been mitigated by the 3dwox’s design: the printing sound is minimal, the filament is automatically loaded and unloaded, and it features an air purification system to reduce toxic fumes. For safe 3D printing with your child or teenager, this is the best bet. Along with classically helpful features such as automatic bed leveling and a flexible build plate, Sindoh also employs Open Source filament: meaning that your filament choices extend beyond classics such as PLA or ABS.

That said, you do pay a premium on the 3dwox: if you are unsure of your child’s level interest in 3D printing, this may not be the right investment. But that prices guarantees an unrivaled ease of use and versatility that is hard to come by in starter 3D printers. We highly recommend the Sindoh 3dwox as a top-tier printer for a safe and satisfying 3D print experience!

da Vinci Mini

Specifications

• Build Volume: 150mm x 150mm x 150mm
• Filament: XYZprinting PLA, XYZprinting PETG
• Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

What We Think

Compact and lightweight, this mini 3D printer is a great gift for kids.

Reasons to Buy

• Compact and affordable – for those wanting to save space as well as money, this is a great option.
• Community library – if you want to simply print without learning complex slicer software, the da Vinci Mini is a great option.

Reasons to Avoid

• Exclusive filament – you can only use expensive XYZprinting filament types with this printer.

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For ease of use at a more affordable price point, consider the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini. Ready to print out of the box, this mini 3D printer is light on everything from weight to wallet.

The da Vinci Mini is marketed as a family-friendly printer, with easy-to-use software and hardware to maximize accessibility. A community page lists thousands of designs for you to choose from if you lack inspiration, and the quality of the models is always standout.

There is a catch, however. The da Vinci Mini is limited to XYZprinting’s exclusive filament design, which is prohibitively expensive and runs out quickly. This hamstrings an otherwise great budget 3D printer for kids and makes the upfront affordability less meaningful in the long run. If you can swallow the additional filament cost, then the da Vinci Mini is still a great easy-to-use 3D printer!

Dremel DigiLab 3D45 3D Printer

Specifications

• Build Volume: 254mm x 152mm x 170 mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon,
• Connectivity Technology: USB
• Filetype: GCode

What We Think

If you want a 3D printer that can scale with experience as your child gets older, the DigiLab 3D45 will more than accommodate their 3D printing journey.

Reasons to Buy

• Automated features – depending on how involved your child wants to be in learning how 3D printers work, the DigiLab can scale to help.
• Built-in camera – watch your 3D prints take shape with a built-in camera.

Reasons to Avoid

• High price point – as a top consumer-grade 3D printer, this unit costs a little under $2000.

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The Dremel DigiLab 3D45 frequently tops our lists of top 3D printers. Though it’s not ideal for children, it is a versatile and easy to use printer that can be used for anything.

The 3D45 has compatibility with a range of filaments from PLA to Nylon, making for a versatile print experience. With automated leveling and an internal camera, children can watch their design come to life before their very eyes without interference. The 3D printer is intuitively designed to automatically adjust its settings when it detects the installed filament: for a smart 3D printing experience, this is your best choice.

That said, the price point on this one may alienate some: if it’s the choice between saving up for college or buying this 3D printer, you may want to hold off on the latter. But if money is no object, then this 3D printer is well worth the cost.

Features and Considerations

Now you’ve taken a look at some of the best 3D printers available for children and young people, you might want to start narrowing down your search. Take a look at some of most important factors to consider when picking one out:

Size

Think about the space you have free for the 3D printer. Some models can be quite large so you may struggle to fit them neatly in the corner of a room. Measure your available space and compare it against the dimensions of the printer. There are some terrific small 3D printers on the market, so you should never be unable to house a 3D printer.

Accessibility

3D printers utilize software known as a slicer: this acts as a median between the 3D model on your device and the 3D printer’s native software, translating the data. This is so you can easily print without any jarring errors between render and model. Similarly, the most user-friendly printers will help you if you encounter any errors and can improve your overall print quality. Features like a touchscreen, flexible bed, or automated leveling can all make 3D printing more accessible.

Precision and Quality

Some 3D printers create more accurate prints than others. If you want to get value for money, do some research into the device and how precise its printing results are. If you want the smoothest and highest-quality prints, you may have to stretch your budget somewhat but if your child just wants to make simple shapes and have fun, then the accuracy may not be so important. In both cases, you want something with a relatively straightforward learning curve.

Safety

A paramount concern regardless of your age, 3D printers are noisy, run hot and can emit fumes – all of which can be problematic for parents. Enclosed 3D printers mitigate these factors as best as they can, but regardless you should make sure that the 3D printer doesn’t stay in the same room as your children, especially when running. Similarly, make sure they are aware of the hazards of the model you choose, in order to best protect against injury.

What can my child make with a 3D printer?

Depending on the printer, the possibilities are endless! 3D printers can effectively print anything you can image (and design). Anything from complex miniatures to simple puzzles, the level of creativity a 3D printer grants access to is part of the reason why they make such great gifts for children.

FAQs

Verdict

Toybox 3D Printer

Specifications

• Build Volume: 70mm x 80mm x 90mm
• Filament: Toybox Food Filament
• Connectivity Technology: WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ, GCode

• Shop on Amazon

The Toybox may not be the most versatile 3D printer for kids, but it offers a truly unique way for them to get involved with 3D printing. Compact, easy to use and edible, this model is the best kids’ 3D printer on the market!

If you’re wanting to encourage baking as well as eating, consider using a 3D printer to create food-safe molds. Check out our guide on the best 3D printers for cookie cutters to blend the best parts of cooking and printing!