3D printers are no longer a hobby only for enthusiasts. This technology has become easier to access and cheaper to get. So, your child can easily operate a 3D printer if you give him one to explore his creativity. But it’s not easy to find a child-friendly 3D printer. That’s why I am going to discuss about 5 best 3D printers for kids so that you can buy one for your child too.
The Flashforge Finder is the best 3D printer for kids, in my opinion. It is easy to use, nice looking, and affordable. If you do not want to spend some time finding a 3D printer for your kid, you can skip reading the article and go for it right now.
However, the flashforge finder might not be the perfect choice for your kid. Not all printers are the same, and it’s recommended to check all the options before buying one. You might find a better option for your child if you read the whole article, as I’ve listed the 5 best 3D printers for kids.
Before you jump into the review section, take a look at the specifications of the 3D printers I am going to discuss in this article.
| Printer | Resolution | Type | Minimum Age | Links |
| FlashForge Finder | 100 microns | PLA | 3+ | Check Price on Amazon |
| Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer | 50-400 microns | PLA/ABS | 10+ | Check Price on Amazon |
| Monoprice Select Mini V2 | 100-300 microns | PLA/ABS | 13+ | Check Price on Amazon |
| Sindoh 3DWOX DP 200 | 100 microns | PLA/ABS | 10-15 years | Check Price on Amazon |
| Creality Ender 3 | 100 microns | PLA/ABS/TPU | 10-15 years | Check Price on Amazon |
5 Best 3D Printers for Kids
3D printers are a fun way to help your child expand and make use of his or her creativity. But not all 3D printers are great for children. When buying a 3D printer for your kid you need to make sure that it is easy to use and most importantly cheap as you don’t want your child ruining a $1000+ machine.
So, considering these, I’ve made a list of 5 best 3D printers for children. I’ve shared my personal opinion on these and also their features, pros and cons. This is so you can decide for yourself which would be best for your child and not just depend on my personal take on these.
1. FlashForge Finder
I can’t but declare this printer as the best 3D printer among the ones mentioned in this article. The design and build of this printer feel like it is just made for home users. Under 300$, this is the perfect 3D printer you are looking for your kid.
The red-colored frame of the printer is made of plastic. The motors and mechanical parts are hidden inside, so your child won’t get afraid of seeing those. Your kid will surely love to have this red machine on the desk.
There is a touchscreen on the front of the machine that makes it easy to operate. At first use, that touchscreen will walk you through the initial setup of the printer. The setup is a bit trickier, but you won’t want your kid to do that, right? A USB Stick with the user manual comes with the printer, so you will be able to set it up yourself easily.
The Flashforge Finder uses the Flashprint application for slicing 3D models. Everything is automated by default, but you are able to control the temperature and printing rate by yourself. In my opinion, this software is a lot more advanced than other 3D printers at this price range.
The flashprint software also allows your child to convert a 2D design to an approximate 3D design by itself. Although that does not make a perfect model, it should definitely amaze your kid.
This printer is very quiet during its operation. Sometimes I double-checked just to make sure that it was doing its job because it wasn’t making any sound at all.
For 3D printers, build plates require some expertise to remove, which makes it hard for children to operate. But the build plate of the Flashforge finder is very easy to remove, just by a gentle slide.
The only thing I didn’t like about this 3D printer is the onboard filament holder. Although you can use an additional one, the holder that comes with the printer is small. However, it should not be a problem for every user out there.
Specifications:
- Resolution: 100 microns
- Volume: 6 inch x 6 inch x 6 inch
- Type: PLA
- Minimum Age: Above 3 years
- Connection: SD Card/USB Drive
- Heated Bed: No
Features:
Slide-in build plate: The build plate of this printer is easy to remove and attach. So removing the finished build can be done at ease.
Quiet Operation: The printer has a surprisingly quiet operation system of only 50 decibels. Therefore your child would not cause any disturbance while working with this printer.
More straightforward Calibration: As I told you before, the touchscreen of the printer guides you to the setup step by step. Though it’s not safe for children initially, if you do it a few times in front of them, they will learn it quickly.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Quiet during operation
- Can be connected via Wi-Fi
- All-closed printer
- Gorgeous touchscreen
Cons:
- Can’t print anything except PLA
- Has a single extruder only
2. Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer
Simple designs are the best for kids, and the Monoprice Voxel 3D printer has a simpler design. Costing around 450$, this printer is a powerful option for kids.
The printer is easy to set up and use. It is a plug-and-play device that can be set up just by unboxing and plugging in. It has a heated bed which makes sure that it can print with most of the print materials available in the market.
The Monoprice Voxel uses the Polar Cloud, an online-based software to operate. There is a built-in camera with the printer, which allows you to monitor its operations. Being a cloud-based application, the Polar Cloud can run on your smartphone, tablet, or any device that has internet.
After initial installation, you need to register to the Polar Cloud to upload 3D models. The application has a basic editor to edit or build 3D models, so you can add some finishing touches before printing too. Then you can upload the files and send printing instructions using your phone.
In case you do not want to use the cloud-based application, you can ditch it and control the printer using your PC or Mac. The Monoprice flashpoint software allows you to control the printer over LAN or USB. The software is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
However, the printer software has some bugs. Unless you use the default printing option in the Polar Cloud, you will notice random bumps in the surface of the printed model. The Wi-Fi does not seem to work perfectly during a firmware update. Crashes are frequent, even in the cloud-based software.
Specifications:
- Resolution: 50-400 microns
- Volume: 6.9 inch x 6.9 inch x 6.9 inch
- Type: PLA/ABS
- Minimum Age: Above 10 years
- Connection: Ethernet/Wi-Fi
- Heated Bed: Yes
Features:
Quick Change Nozzle: In general, changing the nozzle requires a lot of time in 3D printers. But this printer has a quick change nozzle that requires just a few seconds to change the nozzle.
Auto-leveling: Unlike other 3D printers, the Monoprice Voxel does not require additional setup time during first use. You can just plug it in, and it will be ready to use.
Pros:
- Nicely colored display
- Both PLA and ABS can be printed
- Can print large models
- Value for money
Cons:
- Unstable software
3. Monoprice Select Mini V2
Until this one, we were talking about plastic-built 3D printers. But the Monoprice select mini v2 is a solid steel built 3D printer that is durable enough to live longer than other 3D printers under $230.
I am actually surprised to see such a sturdy build at that criminally affordable price. The printer is not fully covered, unlike other child-friendly options, but at least the moving parts are well covered.
However, there is no working filament included with the printer. You need to spend a few bucks buying one in order to make it work. That shouldn’t cost more than $25, so the price of the printer is not going to increase a lot in total.
This printer is definitely not one for the kids who do not love science. Children who want a printer for building toys or use it as a toy will not like this one.
The printer is pre-calibrated, but I would recommend you do some tweaking by yourself. There is a manual on the manufacturer’s website for reference. A responsible teen should be able to set it up, or you can do it for your kid.
You can use a lot of software to operate the printer. Cura, Simplify 3D, Replicator G, or Repetier can be used to print 3D models using this printer. The printer is slow and loud, requiring a pair of genius hands to operate.
The printer has a large colorized LCD but no touch screen. However, that is not a downside, in my opinion. It is not so hard to operate.
ABS printing is possible with this printer, but that does not provide the best quality in this machine. I would suggest you to use PLA only.
Specifications:
- Resolution: 100-300 microns
- Volume: 4.7 inch x 4.7 inch x 4.7 inch
- Type: PLA/ABS
- Minimum Age: Above 13 years
- Connection: USB/Wi-Fi/SD Card
- Heated Bed: Yes
Features:
Open Source: The printer is open source, so there are a lot of software applications to use with this. If you are a programmer, you can also make one yourself for your child.
Ready to use: As I mentioned before, the printer comes pre-calibrated for use. Therefore, you can set it up quickly without using any third-party tools.
Pros:
- Good customer service
- Open source firmware
- Colorful LCD Screen
- Connectivity using Wi-Fi
Cons:
- Not so good ABS printing
- Only one extruder available
4. Sindoh 3DWOX DP 200
The Sindoh 3DWOX DP 200 appears more like a home appliance than a 3D printer. It has a front opening, and filament loading system, which kind of appears like a toaster. Although the price of this product is higher than other 3D printers, the machine is worth the price.
The printer is a solid build, and you can tell that just by looking at it. This printer is something people would actually like to use instead of tinkering. The printer is easy to start with because it comes fully pre-assembled in the box.
Just like the flashforge finder, the display will guide you to the process of setting it up. It should take nearly 20 minutes to finish the whole setup. Unbox, install the filament, calibrate the mattress, and you are good to go.
The Sindoh 3DWOX includes its own software for printing jobs. The 3DWOX Desktop slicing software is dedicated just for this printer, so it should provide better compatibility compared to other applications.
The software has two modes, simple and innovative. The simple mode uses a predefined system that automatically adjusts itself to provide quality printing. On the other hand, innovative mode lets your child apply his own creativity to custom printing jobs.
However, you are not bound to use the 3DWOX Desktop slicing software to do your jobs. Personally, I would recommend giving the Cura software a shot before you get used to the printer’s own software.
Just like the Monoprice Voxel, this printer includes a built-in camera for you to monitor its printing activities. And yes, you can access the webcam using your tablet, webcam, and computer.
The printer is as silent as the Flashforge finder. It feels like using a regular office printer while printing with this machine. The machine only works with the filaments of Sindoh itself, so you really have limited choices.
The machine is close to professional ones and competes with under 1000$ high-grade 3D printers. I would not recommend this for a kid who has no idea how 3D printers work. If your son or daughter has used a 3D printer before and wants an upgrade, this machine is the perfect one for them.
Specifications:
- Resolution: 100 microns
- Volume: 7.9 inch x 7.9 inch x 7.3 inch
- Type: PLA/ABS
- Minimum Age: Older kids
- Connection: USB/Wi-Fi/SD Card
- Heated Bed: Yes
Features:
Automated Loading: Reinstalling the filament is easier in this 3D printer because of Sindoh’s custom-built cartridges. Open the panel, insert the cartridge, and you are done.
Remote Monitoring: The printer has a dedicated mobile application, and a webcam installed. So you can monitor your printer from anywhere, anytime.
Pros:
- Solid build
- Safe to use
- Professional level control
Cons:
- Too costly for a kid-friendly machine
5. Creality Ender 3 3D Printer
With a budget price tag, the Creality Ender 3 is really a beast in the 3D printing universe. The printer has a lot of features to help you not only with beginner-level printing but also for doing advanced printing jobs. If you have a school-going kid who loves science, this printer is really a good choice for you.
The Creality Ender 3 does not come fully set up in the first place. Moreover, the instruction manual is not exact and may take up to 1 hour to set the machine up. If you are new to 3D printers, I recommend you watch some tutorials on YouTube before starting the setup.
The 3D printer can be run using the Cura slicing application. You can generate a G-code using the software and put it on a micro SD card. Insert the micro SD card into your printer, and it will work with no need for a computer.
However, if you have a few bucks more to spend, you can use a Raspberry Pi 3+ with Octoprint and attach using the USB port of the printer. This will allow you to run the printer over Wi-Fi and control the machine remotely.
The thing I like the most about this printer is the recovering feature. Imagine you have faced a load-shedding or your power cable got disconnected somehow. Most of the printers will not be able to recover the damage, and you will need to start the printing again.
But the Creality Ender 3 is able to fully recover from erroneous connection and starts just from the section where it failed. That saves time and resources and is a big plus point for a budget printer, in my opinion.
The problem with this 3D printer is repeated calibration. The base of this printer often moves to an unusual position and must be leveled again before printing. The flimsy bed also needs to be re-leveled. An under-aged child will definitely find difficulties doing that.
Specifications:
- Resolution: 100 microns
- Volume: 17.3 inch x 16.1 inch x 18.3 inch
- Type: PLA,TPU,ABS
- Minimum Age: 10-15
- Connection: USB/micro SD Card
- Heated Bed: Yes
Features:
High powered safe power supply: Equipped with two separate fuses and a high-quality power supply, the Creality Ender 3 is able to heat up to 90 C in less than 300 seconds.
Resume print technology: The best feature I have seen yet on a 3D printer. The printer constantly saves the printing position while it’s working. So when an unexpected power outage occurs, it easily recovers your information and resumes its printing from the last position.
Pros:
- Criminally affordable
- High quality print
- Open source
- Compact design
Cons:
- Requires manual calibration
- Unstable base
Conclusion
After reading this article, I hope you have learned a lot about the 5 best 3D printers for kids in the current market. Choosing anyone of them should do just fine. Just make sure you consider your child’s age and experience before choosing which one to get.