3D printing has become incredibly popular, with many schools incorporating them into their STEM curriculum. And, it makes sense to educate our future generations on this rapidly growing technology, because there is no doubt a long future ahead, and there are a vast. number of opportunities available for kids with a variety of interests from design, to engineering and manufacturing.
As a result, we hear a lot of kids asking their parents if they can get a 3D printer for home. In a way, it makes us nostalgic for the early days of desktop computers, when we had a single computer between the entire school, and then families began getting them for home-use as well.
Now, almost every household as a computer of some form, so I wouldn’t be surprised if more and more households owned a printer too.
If you’re unsure if you should buy a 3D printer for your child, whilst we’re not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t buy for them, we are here to offer some advice to ensure you make the best choice for your kid; remembering that all children are different.
Is your Child Ready for a 3D Printer?
Legally, there are no age restrictions on 3D printers; this might change in the future, but as of writing [September 2024], there certainly aren’t.
As a rule of thumb, we wouldn’t recommend a 3D printer – without extensive supervision – below the age of 11. Younger children might struggle with the complexity of the software needed to operate the printer, and I would be concerned about allowing young children to handle the hardware safely (we’ll discuss safety in more detail later).
If your child has shown a particular interest in STEM subjects as school, or if they enjoy working with technology, a 3D printer could be a great tool to help advance their interests and encourage their future career potential.
The key is to remember that all kids are different, so only you – as their parent or guardian – can truly assess their maturity and readiness to learn and fully understand the basic safety and maintenance practices that are necessary with owning a printer.
3D Printers are Not Toys
It goes without saying that 3D printers are not toys and that they are dangerous. A serious burn caused by touching a hot component was the main reason I decided to write this blog post. So, please trust me when I say that I cannot emphasise enough how dangerous 3D printers can be. Burns hurt. A lot.
However, potential burns are not the only thing that you need to consider. All 3D printers give off a level of fumes, however Resin Printers are particularly toxic and I wouldn’t recommend having this type of 3D printer in an environment where anyone sleeps.
Whilst choosing an enclosed printer can help solve the problem of protecting children from hot parts, the enclosure can only go so far when it comes to protecting against the fumes.
Choose printers that have auto-shutoff functionality, and lower print head temperatures, where possible.
No matter which printer you purchase, make sure to sit down and ensure that your child fully understands how important it is not to touch specific areas whilst the printer is working. You should also teach them the importance of ensuring the area their printer is in, is well-ventilated to minimise – as much as possible – their exposure to toxic fumes.
FDM or Resin
As already mentioned, Resin Printers can be incredibly problematic, mostly due to the fumes that they emit. Their popularity is usually due to the fine detailing that can achieved, however pieces will need extra work after printing, such as curing and washing, which can be messy.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) Printers, on the other hand, are a safer option, especially for beginners (including children). They are less messy, and are typically a cheaper option. Therefore, for most kids, an FDM printer is the best starting point to get them going on their 3D printing journey.
How much will a 3D Printer cost?
A few years ago, 3D printers were notoriously expensive. These days, however, they a re becoming a great deal more affordable. Prices can range from around £150 for a basic printer (which will be plenty for children to start with) up to well over £1000 for the more extensive printers.
Most children will not need an expensive printer, so we definitely recommend starting at the lower end of the price scale.
Bearing that in mind, it is important to remember that the printer is not the only outlay that you will need to purchase upfront. You will also need to purchase filaments, accessories.
What skills can a 3D Printer teach children?
Where to begin? If your child is interested in any part of STEM, the creative arts or engineering, the chances are high that 3D printing will help them in some way.
If your child is interested in design, they will need to learn how to use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to create and/or modify the models needed for printing. If they’re not quite ready for CAD yet, Tinkercad is a kid-friendly alternative that will help them to learn the basics of 3D design, and should be enough to get them started on their journey.
3D Printers can need a lot of maintenance work, to ensure they run effectively, whilst upgrades can be done to improve their efficiency. Both of these can offer excellent skills opportunities for kids, whilst encouraging both creativity and critical thinking.
Parts will wear out, prints will fail occasionally, and your child will need to troubleshoot potential causes and fixes.
There is a lot of problem-solving necessary with printing, which might sound daunting, but it encourage kids to think outside of the box. Whether that’s trying to choose something to create, taking them from initial concept, through design to actually printing an object.
Online tutorials can of course help them to learn most areas.
No matter where your child is on their journey, a 3D printer can be an amazing asset to help them find their passion in a variety of ways from creativity, to engineering. For many parents, it is a big investment of both money and time, as well as mental energy for both the guardian and child. However, the rewards make it worth it, as 3D printing continues to grow as an industry. There are numerous opportunities that can be established from his hobby, including creativity, learning, problem-solving and boosting their potential future career skills.
There is no right or wrong answer to which printer you buy; they all come with their good and bad points. However, make sure your child fully understands the importance of safety, at all times. 3D printing will be a learning curve for them, but it will be a positive one.