3D pens for kids are so much fun, just ask anyone. These ordinary looking pens help you achieve the extraordinary.

Not just for kids – teens, moms, dads and artists are all falling in love with them. To help you out, here is a run down of what’s in the market.

The size of 3D pens are part of what makes them so attractive, you don’t need a ton of space somewhere for storage like a 3D printer, all you need is just a bit of space on the shelf. These pens foster creativity and are a lot of fun as objects that are drawn on paper have the ability to come alive into real life.

For those who are new to this, 3D pens allow you to draw things exactly as you imagine them using heated plastic filaments inserted in the pens. Think of it like using an icing bag with a very fine nozzle, except the icing is actually plastic and holds its shape when exposed to the air. Colored plastic strips are heated up in the pen, and then cool down to make an object.

Some of the nozzles can get quite hot, but there are a few pens that feature low temperatures or use special material. These types of 3D pens are more suitable for younger ones.

This article was originally published in 2016 and was last updated January 2018.

1. 3Doodler Start

Teaching kids about design, building and spatial understanding is part and parcel of the 3Doodler Start pen. This multi-award winning wireless pen is safe, with no hot parts, and non-toxic BPA free refills. Kids can use their hands to mould the plastic when it comes out of the pen, and it comes with a project book to give you ideas about creating stencils and objects. The pen is also available in discounted bundles for classrooms and learning spaces. For more inspiration, the 3Doodler Project Book has 26 step by step projects to follow.

2. Soyan

A perfect starter pen, Soyan’s 3D pen is a lightweight, easy-to-hold entry that’s geared to help children improve their spatial thinking and tactile awareness. Soyan’s material comes at 3D printing from an educational standpoint, helping to empower kids to learn through creativity. Simplifying the prototyping process, kids breeze through the basics and get right to the job of lifting their dreams right off the page.

3. Dikale Kids 3D Pen

Designed with a cute cat on top, the Dikale kids 3D pen has some great features for little artists. After 10 minutes of being left idle, it will automatically shut itself off. It has an OLED display for speed and temperature control and one button for feeding though the PLA filament. The cat makes it look like a fun gift for kids and even the stand has little feet.

4. Mynt3D Professional 3D Printing Pen

Gearing up to take a stand as one of the most innovative companies on the 3D printing pen market, the Mynt3D has replaceable nozzles, an LED display, speed control and temperature control. The slim design is perfect for professionals or more advanced users.

5. Dewang 3D Pen

The Dewang 3D pen has a slim stylish design that uses PCL filament suitable for heating at low temperatures. ABS filament is also an option. The nozzle doesn’t get very hot, so it’s a nice choice for kids and teens who want a little bit more precision into their 3D drawings. Very well rated, it’s a good 3D pen suitable for a variety of ages.

6. QPAU Intelligent 3D Printing Pen

The QPAU is another great 3D pen that has anti-scald protection. There is an OLED display to help you monitor the temperature that ranges from 130 C to 210 C. This helps you get the effect you’re looking for by being able to raise and lower the heat applied. The 3D pen uses PLA and ABS filament, which are easily replaceable and it’s certainly a cool slick looking pen.

7. Polyes Q1 3D Printing Pen, by Future Make

A big worry for parents is that 3D pens can be hot and burn little fingers. The Polyes Q1 pen uses cool photo-polymer resin that protects against any unwanted burns, and there are no hot parts or smelly odors. Funded by Kickstarter, Polyes Q1 is one of the most safest and child friendly 3D pens. Available in three bright colors, packages of multi-colored inks to brighten up your creations can also be purchased.

8. 3Doodler Create

From the same family as the 3Doodler Start is the 3Doodler Create. This 3D pen is geared towards teenagers and older hobbyists. It has a sleek lightweight aluminium body and higher temperatures allowing for more detailed creative work. With one of the best accessory ranges on the market including different nozzle sizes, portable power packs, pedals, stands, and over 75 colored plastics, this is one of the best.

9. XYZprinting’s da Vinci 3D Pen

Thinking of using 3D pens in the classroom? The lightweight da Vinci 3D pen comes with an education package that includes instruction manuals, videos, and templates to share with your classroom. With 11 non-toxic and biodegradable filament colors to choose from, it can be easily popped in a backpack for making fun creations anywhere.

10. Creopop

The award winning Creopop is a great option for a safe and hassle free 3D pen. Creopop’s 3D pens have no hot parts or fussy wires making them perfect for little artists. Using photopolymers that go solid as kids use the pen, you don’t need to worry about melted plastic or unpleasant smells. The pens are fully wireless when being used, and there is a range of colourful, glittery, and glow in the dark inks to unleash kid’s creativity.

Last update on 2018-08-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API