Best 3D Printing Pens
STEAM Skills targeted: Design, Engineering
Recommended age range: 8+
We are living in a really exciting age where amazing new products are hitting the shelves every day. Some of the things that are available and affordable today would have been pure science fiction only a few years ago.
So the range of possibilities and opportunities our kids are exposed to are endless. There are some truly fascinating toys and products available in all areas of STEM but one of the types of products that is currently seeing the fastest growth is 3D printing.
Most 3D printers are very large and expensive and out of the reach of normal households but there are some more basic versions which are affordable and user friendly enough even for kids to use.
One of the best 3D printing products I’ve found for kids is 3D drawing pens, sometimes called stereoscopic pens.
How do 3D Pens work?
These pens are kind of a cross between a normal pen and a hot glue gun. Instead of ink, they use plastic filament which is melted and can be ‘drawn’ in 3D to create amazing 3D models instead of just a 2D image.
Unlike traditional pens which are used on paper and other surfaces, these pens can actually be used to draw in the air! Imagine the possibilities when your doodles can become 3D objects.
As these pens can get very hot, they’re recommended only for use with older children (8+) and with adult supervision.
Scribbler 3D Pen V3
The Scribbler 3D pen is designed for kids and adults who are interested in 3D modeling and art and want to bring their doodles to life.
This is a slim and lightweight pen, coming in at only 2.36oz so it’s easy for kids to hold and handle.
The pen comes with 3 loops of 1.75mm PLA filament in different colors. Each loop is 10 feet long, which is more than enough to get you started and extra filament in many different colors can also be ordered on Amazon. ABS filament can also be used if you adjust the temperature of the pen.
Rather than using batteries, you plug the Scribbler pen into the mains electricity supply with the included 12V adapter. The pen has a safety feature which automatically turns it off after 5 minutes of non-use.
The heat and speed of the pen are both adjustable and you can view the current selection on the LED screen.
7Tech 3d Printing Pen
The 7tech 3D printing pen can be used by anyone interested in 3D creation including artists, doodlers, makers and future engineers!
The temperature of the pen is adjustable between 160-230 degrees to suit either PLA or ABS filament and the speed of the filament can be changed at the press of a button. The filament used is the same as in many models of 3D printers.
This pen comes with 3 rolls of filament in different colors.
Lay3er 3D Pen
This 3D doodling pen uses 1.75mm ABS filament and is very easy to use. It is simpler than some of the other pens as it works only at one speed and does not have adjustable temperature control so there are less buttons to get the hang of.
The pen comes with 3 spools of filament in black, white and blue.
The Lay3r website includes many printable stencils that can be traced and ideas for fun projects. You’ll also have access to the Lay3r community where you can share your creations with others.
CCBetter Intelligent 3D Printing Pen
This pen includes an LED screen to display the temperature, temperature control buttons, speed control buttons, and it is compatible with both PLA and ABS filament.
It features an easy clog remover to clear the nozzle and comes with 2 rolls of filament and a pen holder. Additional filament is available in many different colors.
3Doodler 2.0 3D Pen
This slim and light pen features a redesigned nozzle for more detailed and accurate 3D doodles. It has a dual speed control and manual temperature control.
The filament used with the pen is 3mm ABS filament and you receive 2 packs of filament with the pen along with some bonus glow in the dark filament.
There are also extra nozzles available for this pen to produce different styles and effects. (See all nozzles)
IDO3D Pen
This 3D drawing pen is aimed at kids and recommended for age 6 – 15. Rather than using heat, these pens are filled with a gel that is cured with an ultraviolet light (included). The pack contains 5 disposable pens in different colors, a guidebook of various projects and plastic molds.
You can’t draw in the air with this pen – instead you create several flat or curved pieces using the plastic molds provided and then glue them together to complete your creation. It’s similar to the 3D maker.
This isn’t a true 3D pen like the others that use heat but it’s a nice safe alternative that younger kids can use and a fun introduction to the world of 3d modeling.