3D printing is a great gift for kids – for Children’s Day, birthdays, holidays, for summer camp, as a gift for a friend, or just because. There are plenty of models available, each better than the last.
I have selected those that are favorites among my children and their friends.
Warning: 3D printed models do not belong in the hands of children who are exploring the world by tasting it. Also, keep in mind that if handled carelessly, a piece of the model may break off and the child could swallow it. Your children, your concern.
Jumping Frog
The jumping frog, 3D printed from two parts. The best frog is printed from PETG (or rePETG) material with three perimeter settings.
The model is printed in two parts that are glued together.
https://www.printables.com/model/1161412-jumping-frog
Ikea, Lidl, Brio Train Set
The train set is absolutely fantastic fun for both kids and adults, and you can print a ton of additional accessories for it. It doesn’t matter if you have a train set from Ikea, Lidl, or Brio, and others.
More models for the train set will be coming soon.
https://www.printables.com/model/48016-bridge-support-brioikea-wooden-train-track
Or flexible tracks that fill in those last few centimeters of track that would have to be in a completely nonsensical shape – an angle. This is the solution! 🙂
https://www.printables.com/model/1279752-flexible-rails-for-ikea-lillabo-brio-lidl-train-tr
Flexible Lizards, Salamanders, Sharks, and Other Creatures
Flexible animals are TOP – lizards, sharks, dragons, and plenty of other creatures.
Lizards: https://www.printables.com/model/178034-articulated-lizard-v2
Sharks: https://www.printables.com/model/178032-articulated-shark
Dragons: https://www.printables.com/model/538160-articulated-bone-dragon
Salamanders: https://www.printables.com/model/835911-flexi-salamander
Octopus: https://www.printables.com/model/969216-articulated-octopus-fixed-no-brim
Chameleon: https://www.printables.com/model/295555-articulated-chameleon
Snake: https://www.printables.com/model/195000-articulated-snake
If you are looking for more flexible items, the magic word is “articulated,” and you can find a few models under “flexi” as well.
Lego Duplo
The 3D printed item doesn’t have to be large to be a big hit. For example, a small connector for Lego Duplo cars.
https://www.printables.com/model/512159-duplo-coupling-wagenkupplung
Or bridges https://www.printables.com/model/140262-lego-duplo-pillars
Car hinge https://www.printables.com/model/1138682-lego-duplo-hinge-8
Lego Duplo and Hot Wheels https://www.printables.com/model/208014-lego-duplo-to-hot-wheels-hinge-adapter-v3-beta-tra
Tip for printing Lego Duplo and Lego models.
Lego is manufactured with great precision of individual parts, and 3D printing, of course, does not achieve such precision. Each 3D printer has slightly different printing accuracy, which negatively affects the printed model as well. If the model doesn’t fit, you might need to adjust it in (Prusa) Slicer using XY Compensation. A positive value will enlarge everything that will be 3D printed, while a negative value will reduce everything that is to be 3D printed. In my case, the correction is in tenths of mm.
Catapult
Is there anything else to do by the water besides swimming, eating, drinking, reading, or playing games? How about shooting with a CATAAAAAPULT!
The catapult is fun – you can feed the dog with treats, the kids with candies, or shoot pebbles into the water.
https://www.printables.com/model/211679-catapult-card
Or print a finger catapult 😀
In both cases, I recommend printing with PETG or rePETG, and the more perimeters, the better.
https://www.printables.com/model/691641-powerfull-spring-loaded-ring-catapult
Or a cannon – you can print it just like this. It has a 3D printed spring inside.
https://www.printables.com/model/231584-working-cannon-print-in-place
Flying Propeller
The flying propeller is super fun both in and out of the water. You spin it at high speeds so that it flies really high, and you try to catch it in mid-air or at least find it.
https://www.printables.com/model/227852-strong-flying-propeller-pull-copter-no-supports
Dummy Family
Who doesn’t know the Dummy 13 model with nearly half a million downloads? It’s an absolute hit. But if you haven’t heard of them seriously, make sure to add it to your print queue. There’s a lot of fun to be had with it.
https://www.printables.com/model/981111-dummy-13-version-10
An alternative to that is Lucky 13 with nearly the same half a million downloads.
https://www.printables.com/model/148367-lucky-13-printable-jointed-figure
Is there something missing here? Message me on one of the social networks where I am.
