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Before we start, lets get one thing straight...your typical 3D pen is not a toy.
Many parents make this mistake and purchase a standard 3D pen for their child, then discover that the heated metal nozzle reaches 392°F (200°C) when melting the thermoplastic...
Do you allow your kid to play with a iron?
No. So you should not buy your child a typical 3D pen. Fortunately there are many pens which do not use this hot extruder technology, and these are the 3D pens which I will be looking at in this review.
So with that disclaimer out of the way, lets dive right in.
3D Pens are an amazing new invention which use the same technologies like 3D printing to offer you fun and unique creative tool. They're used by artists, craft hobbyists, and children to create all kinds of amazing three-dimensional objects.
This butterfly I painted nicely demonstrates the Sort of cool sculpture that is possible:
Also as for artistic creations, I like to use a 3D pen alongside my desktop 3D printer as it can be utilized as a hot glue gun to bond components together using the same thermoplastics which the 3D printer uses.
The technique described above allows you to create seamless, invisible bonds having the same strength as the individual pieces. You can quickly fix broken or neglected 3D prints effortlessly.
If you would like to learn more about how to use a 3D pen, then read my step-by-step guide which has a fun instructional video included.
Which 3D printing pen is the best for my child?
That is what I'm are going to answer in this review! There are well over 100 3D Pen models available at the moment so picking the best isn't an easy task, especially if you are looking for the best 3D pen for your kids!
To assist you, I narrowed down the options available to my four favorites, based on my experiences using 3D Pens and user reviews and opinions. These pens are awesome and completely safe for your kids to use.
Top 10 3D Pens for Kids
In the table below I have listed the Pen and Plastic top 5 3D pens for small children.
Name | Score | Summary | Where to Buy |
---|---|---|---|
3D Simo Basic | 5 out of 5 | The best 3D pen in test, with the best Christmas Bundle! | |
MYNT3D Junior 2023 | 4 out of 5 | Low temperature, good quality | |
MINIRAH 3D Pen | 4 out of 5 | Easy to start, fun for small kids | |
3Doodler Start | 4.5 out of 5 | Cheap and popular 3D pen for kids, value for money | |
CreoPop | 4 out of 5 | The safest and best for smaller kids, uses cool ink not hot plastic |
For Older Kids and Teenagers
Name | Score | Summary | Where to Buy |
---|---|---|---|
5 out of 5 | The best pen for 2023 | ||
3D Simo MultiproMynt3D Pen | 4.8 out of 5 | Best Budget Pick | |
Magic Cat 3D pen | 4.5 out of 5 | Easy to use, upgraded features, step-less speed | |
7TECH 3D Pen | 4 out of 5 | Decent option, but The Mynt3D does a better job at lower price. |
How Do These 3D Pens Work?
3D pens let you to draw real-life three-dimensional objects. As you draw a line, rather than ink, a thin line of melted plastic comes out.
Similar to 3D printing, you can build up layers on top of one another to form a three-dimensional drawing.
There are four types of 3D Pens:
1. FDM - Suitable for: Older Kids and Teens
The first is named FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling, which is the same procedure which most home 3D printers use. A thread or filament of ABS or PLA plastic is fed into a heated nozzle which melts it.
NOTE: This heated nozzle is not safe for children under the age of 8
This is the only sort of 3D pen where you can draw a line completely vertically, i.e., a real 3D pen.
As you can see, the plastic sets almost the minute it comes from the pen. All other kinds of 3D pens need 5 to 10 minutes before the plastic sets strong, meaning 3D structures would bend and deflect.
2. Low Temperature -- Suitable for Younger Children
The next and latest type is the same technology as FDM but utilizes a different sort of plastic that melts at a much lower temperature.
This gives you something near the quality and ease of use as conventional FDM but at completely child safe temperatures. The video below shows how this is done.
3. Cool Ink with Inner UV -- Suitable for Children of all Ages
The third kind is a cold process that makes it particularly appropriate for young kids to use. A liquid plastic is fed through the pen’s nozzle at the end of the pen which solidifies the liquid ink using UV light.
The Creopop Cool 3D printing pen falls under this category.This is a similar procedure to SLA Resin 3D printers.
4. Cool Ink with External UV -- Suitable for Young Children
The final type again employs a cool ink process, but the ink is treated in another UV chamber. This restricts you to making simpler designs as the ink stays in its liquid state until it enters this chamber.
Appropriate 3D shapes are only possible if you utilize molds that are included with the pen.
How are 3D Drawing Pens different to 3D printers?
3D pens are a lot more versatile than 3D printers. Having a 3D printer, you need to have thought about and designed your object before you begin making it. Using a 3D printer also requires some kind of CAD drawing skills.
Typically children do not have the time or patience to learn how to use such complicated software tools.
Using a 3D Printing Pen, however, you may simply begin drawing straight away. This immediacy makes 3D Pens ideal for younger kids, who may not have the patience to use a 3D Printer.
It might also be regarded as a more artistic or creative hobby rather than 3D printing that's more analytical.
Hopefully you now know enough about 3D pens to make an educated decision when it comes to buying a pen for your youngster. Before we dive into our review, lets take a look at the review criteria we used to grade these pens.
Review Criteria:
Here’s a list of the categories which I used to evaluate the 3d printing pens in this review:
Qaulity of Design:
- Ergonomics: Is the pen cleverly designed without sharp edges
- Durability: Will the pen survive being dropped or being used incorrectly
- Weight and size: lighter, smaller pens are easier to paint with
Features:
- LCD Display: Is the temperature controllable through an LCD screen?
- Speed Control: Can you adjust the flow speed of the plastic?
- Extras: Such as addons, mobile app etc
Safe for Kids:
- Plastic Types: Does the pen use a safe type of plastic that won't burn the little hands of the user, is the plastics used non-toxic
- Extruder temperature: Is the extruder cool to the touch
- Power: Does the pen need a plug point or can it be used cordlessly
Value for Money
- Price: We want to make sure you get the most value for your money
- Warranty: Does the manufacturer provide a guarantee?
- Reviews: Product reviews on Amazon.com say a lot about quality
For each pen you will see an overall score out of 10. Click on "view all scoring categories" in the drop-down box to see how each pen fared for the categories listed above.
And now , let’s take a look at Pen and Plastic’s list of the best 3D printing pens for children!
1: 3DSimo Basic
3D Simo is a Czech manufacturer of 3D pens, who burst on to the scene in early 2016 through a Kickstarter campaign. The Basic is their first 3D pen specifically designed for children.
They are clearly looking to take a sizable chunk of the market giant, 3Doodler with this more affordable and simpler version of their premium 3D Simo Mini 2. Why did this pen make no.1 on our list?
Well, the answer is simple. The deal they are currently offering includes pretty much everything a beginner would ever need to develop as a skilled 3D painter.
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Wireless with rechargeable battery Suitable for kids of 8+ years"
As you could see from the video, this is not just a 3D printing pen, it comes with a number of attachments that you can use in order to make it multi-purpose.
By using the above mentioned mobile app you can activate the correct settings for the type of filament you are using, and you can even watch some helpful tutorial video.
This unique feature, along with rock solid build quality and clever design are what separates the 3D Simo Mini from its rivals and thereby distinguishing itself as the best 3D printing pen for 2023.
If you want to see the 3DSimo Mini in action, take a look at this promotional video, and be sure to check out our full review of the Professional 3D Simo, where we take a closer look at this swiss army knife of 3D pens.
Kid friendly 3D pen: Designed to work with low melting, non-toxic plastic filaments. This pen is rated safe for kids over the age of 8.
Wireless with rechargeable battery: Designed to work up to 3 hours on a single charge
3Dsimo Basic Big Present set Includes:
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
If you can afford the premium price tag, then you are in luck since the 3D Simo Basic is head and shoulders above the competition in this review.
The amazing bundle, excellent battery and premium design makes this the best 3d pen for your kid.
With the value you are currently getting from their Christmas Bundle, it would be a crime not to award this pen the top spot in our review. Hurry up and get it before the price goes back to the original amount.
2: MYNT3D Junior 3D Pen 2023 Edition
Like 3D Simo Basic, this 3d pen is made specifically for younger kids (6+). With low temperature, ergonomic grip and safe nozzle which will not burn baby's hands.
Young artists can let imagination grow off the paper with long lasting battery. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an LCD screen, and doesn't work with ABS and PLA. But is works with with 1. 75mm non-toxic PCL filament.
It charges with Micro USB and works with 1. 75mm non-toxic PCL filament (a bio-polyester).
Manufacturer gives warranty and this 3D pen is protected against defects for 1 year.
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Safe and fun for younger kids"
TOTAL 3D PEN KIT Includes:
Pros
Cons
3: MiNIRAH Padna 3D pen
Do you want to get your kids cool looking 3D pen? This one is shaped just like a panda. Unique and fun, It made for children 6 years and older.
It has adjustable printing temperature and speed modes. Also has LCD screen where it shows information.
It works with ABS and PLA and has automatic temperature settings for these two types of plastic.
The package includes filament and templates, so your kid will be able to use it right away.
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Fun design and great possibilities"
Pros
Cons
4: 3Doodler Start
3Doodler has been around since the start of the 3D pen craze and had one of the first 3D pens on the market. Now they have added a low-temperature, child-friendly alternative for their range with the Start.
3Doodler uses a distinctive biodegradable plastic printing material that melts at a far lower temperature than the more commonly used PLA plastic. This also means that the pen doesn’t get too hot to touch, which makes it perfectly safe for kids to use while retaining the advantages of precision and control you get with the FDM process.
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Completely child-safe 3d pen
3D Art made easy for kids"
Click for the List of Features
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
The 3Doodler Start is an excellent 3D drawing pen for children. I have found it to be very dependable and simple to use.
The lack of a power cable and short filaments make it very simple for even young children to use without becoming frustrated.
It came completely ready to go straight from the box; even the battery was fully charged!
Pen and Plastic Tip:
If you purchase the 3Doodler from Amazon, it comes in a smaller "e-commerce" box that's significantly easier to store away compared to the huge box that is available in retail shops.
5. CreoPop Cool 3D Cordless Pen
And now for something different. CreoPop is a venture-backed firm based in Singapore, and their product might alter the future of 3D Pens.
The CreoPop 3D drawing pen makes this list because of the revolutionary capability of printing chilly ink that dries quickly when exposed to light. Pretty neat yes?
Well, that is not all, the CreoPop 3D is also a cordless, like the Lixpen reviewed in our best 3d pens review.
The advantage being that it is completely safe for children to use as a result of absence of a hot tip nozzle, and you have a great deal more flexibility and choices when you aren't confined by a cable and plug!
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Prints with Cold Ink not Plastic!
Child Friendly - No hot parts"
The difference between thermoplastic and cool ink pens
At the beginning of the 3D pen trend, 3D plastic pens with hot extruders were the only 3D pens available. In September 2015, the 3D Creation Maker was started, marking the first non-heated 3D pen that could compete with the established brands.
Children will find the Creopop cool 3D pen much safer and easier to use than your standard hot nozzle pen. It's also cordless so making it great for kids who may want to do some outside 3D art.
Earlier versions of this Creopop could only print on horizontal surfaces, since the ink would have a very long time to harden.
This was a massive drawback as other plastic pens can draw freehand 3D shapes in the atmosphere.
Creoprop solved this problem by since creating a pen which uses ink which hardens as rapidly as heated plastic does. What was their secret you may ask... Well, the ink used in the Creopop hardens to light exposure!
In contrast to your normal 3D printing pen which uses thermoplastics, CreoPop's product utilizes cool ink. Let us take a look at this 3D pen's unique capabilities.
Click for the List of Features
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
The Creopop offers a different take by allowing you to print with inks that can create 3D objects. This cold 3D drawing technology is especially well suited for kids.
If you want to ensure the safety of your young ones while they get creative, we wholeheartedly recommend the Creopop Cool 3D pen!
7: Mynt3D Printing Pen
Last on the list is MYNT3D's offering. It is sold by an American manufacturer and is packed with features considering that it is a reasonably priced 3D drawing pen.
This pen sports an ultra-thin design for easier handling, due to its ergonomic shape and smart design.
Where the MYNT3D has a leg-up over the Doodler is it's beautiful OLED display helps you monitor the temperature. This pen also includes adjustable speed control allowing you to fill large areas quickly or slow it down to create a detailed masterpiece.
This 3D pen is among the very competitive and reliable products available on the market. It's cheap but is packed with impressive features, and also a generous helping of sample plastics for you or your children's use.
Pen and Plastic Rating
"Bright OLED temperature display USB / Powerbank powered"
Click for the List of Features
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
The Mynt3D is an excellent 3D pen that's very very tough to fault. It has about all of the features you could ask for, is an amazing option of 3D Pen for older kids.
I loved its ergonomic design and user-friendliness. It includes premium features like an OLED display and variable temperature control.
We do not recommend it for younger kids (under the age of 8) as it is still a FDM pen with a hot tip extruder.
Conclusion
Well there you have it, the best 3D pens for your kids reviewed by yours truly.
To summarize, we recommend the 3D Simo Basic, or if your budget is tight, the 3Doodler Start.
For older kids, the Mynt3D or the Scribbler is a great buy, but then again I rather consider looking at the Lixpen or 3D Simo Mini 2, see our top 10 3D pen review for more info on these pens.
Still undecided? Then head to our 3D pen landing page, which has every article and review we have ever written nearly summarized on one page.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions, leave us a comment below and remember to share this post with your friends by clicking one of the handy social media sharing buttons.
I’m really struggling to know which 3D pen to purchase for my 12 year old daughter. After hours of watching videos, reading reviews and blogs, I’ve narrowed it down to the 3Dsimo basic, and the 3Doodler Create+. My daughter frequently uses a hot glue gun for crafting, so I’m not overly concerned about the temperature difference of the filament or the unit nozzle itself. You seem to really like the 3Dsimo basic, but is that mainly for the current bundle offer, or is it really a superior pen and why? I’m concerned about ease and availability of customer service and purchasing more filament with the 3Dsimo over the Doodler which I can purchase easily through Amazon. Any chance you could breakdown the major advantages and disadvantages to these two options? Can’t thank you enough!
Hello, thank you. If it is the first pen I would recommend something more simple to try like 3d simo basic. With a 3d doodler you must use their special 3mm plastic. The pen itself is great quality, but in a long run it is very inconvenient with no LCD screen and 3mm diameter of plastic.
If you want a great 3d pen for a kid with a lcd screen i recommend The Betim.