The Kids 3D Lab Blog

3D printing Can You Use a 3D Printer Without a Computer? Yes — mostly. How families print from an SD card, a USB stick, a phone app or a tablet, what the one computer-like step (slicing) is, and how kids can design on a tablet. 6 min read App skills How to Make a 3D Model for a School Project A step-by-step guide for students in grades 1 to 5 — pick a topic, plan with real sizes, build the 3D model from simple shapes, then hand it in as a picture, a file or a 3D print. 5 min read For teens CAD in DT: A Student's Guide for GCSE Design and Technology What CAD stands for in DT, how CAD and CAM are used in GCSE Design and Technology, which software schools use, and how to show good CAD work in your NEA project. 8 min read For teens 8 Science Fair Projects With 3D Design and 3D Printing Science fair project ideas for teens using 3D design and 3D printing — with a real question to test, variables to change, and how to measure, repeat and present the results. 7 min read For teens Jobs That Use 3D Design: CAD Careers for Teens to Explore Which jobs use CAD and 3D design? Engineers, product designers, architects, game artists, dental technicians and more — what they do, which school subjects help, and free tools to start learning now. 7 min read Maths & science What Is Symmetry? Make Models That Match Symmetry means one half matches the other. Learn about mirror symmetry and turning symmetry with butterflies, stars and flowers, then build symmetrical models in 3D. 6 min read Projects Make a Spinning Top That Really Spins Design a 3D printed spinning top in Kids 3D Lab from a cone, a disc and a handle, then test which shape spins the longest. A fun science project for kids. 6 min read 3D printing How to 3D Print Without Owning a 3D Printer No 3D printer at home? Your child's design can still become real. Libraries, schools, makerspaces and online print services can print it — here's how each one works. 7 min read Projects Build a Rocket Ship That Stands Up Build a 3D rocket in Kids 3D Lab from a cylinder, a cone, a round window and three fins — and learn how to space things evenly around a circle. A fun space project for kids. 6 min read 3D printing What Is an STL File? (and What's a 3MF?) An STL file is the shape of a 3D model, made of tiny triangles, ready for a 3D printer. Learn what STL and 3MF files are, and which one to use. 6 min read App skills Build on Any Side: The Workplane in Kids 3D Lab New in Kids 3D Lab — the Workplane. Click the top or side of a shape, and the next shape stands right on it. Or drag a shape straight onto another one. 7 min read Projects Design Your Own Phone Stand Design a 3D printed phone stand in Kids 3D Lab with a base, a ramp and a lip — then measure your own phone so it fits just right. Easy for kids. 7 min read App skills Show Off Your Build: Save It as a Picture New in Kids 3D Lab — save your 3D build as a bright, sharp picture on a podium or a plain colour, or with no background at all, to keep or share with family. 6 min read Maths & science 3D Shapes for Kids: Names, Faces, Edges and Corners Learn the names of 3D shapes — cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid, prism and more — with their faces, edges and corners, and real things that look like them. 7 min read Holidays Make a Jack-o'-Lantern for Halloween in 3D Design a 3D jack-o'-lantern in Kids 3D Lab — a round pumpkin, a stalk, and a spooky face cut out with holes. An easy Halloween project for kids. 7 min read App skills See Inside Your Build: X-ray, Outline, Layers and Flat Views New in Kids 3D Lab — flat Top, Front and Side views like real CAD, X-ray and Outline to see inside your build, a Layers list to pick any shape, and a right-click menu. 5 min read Grown-ups Tinkercad Alternatives for Young Kids Looking for a 3D design app for a young child? Here is how Kids 3D Lab, Tinkercad and other kids' 3D tools compare, and how to pick one. 7 min read Projects 3D Printing Projects for Kids and Students: 15 Easy Ideas Fifteen easy 3D printing projects and ideas for kids and students, from name tags and dice to cookie cutters and pen pots — plus STEM projects for school. 7 min read Projects How to Make a 3D Printed Name Keychain, Step by Step How to make a 3D printed name keychain, step by step — a tag, your name on top and a hole for the ring — designed free in Kids 3D Lab and ready for a 3D printer. 7 min read Projects Design Your Own Toy Car Build a toy car in Kids 3D Lab from boxes and cylinders — a body, a roof, windows, lights and four wheels — and learn to turn and copy shapes. 6 min read Projects Make a Pencil Holder for Your Desk Design a pencil holder (a pen pot) in Kids 3D Lab using a box and a hole, add your name on the front, and learn about walls and floors. 6 min read 3D printing The Best Family 3D Printer: How to Choose Your First One What makes a good family 3D printer for kids — size, safety, ease of use and plastic — explained in plain words, with questions to ask before you buy. 7 min read 3D printing Is 3D Printing Safe for Kids? Is a 3D printer safe for kids? A calm guide for families and classrooms — hot parts, fumes, PLA, 3D printed toys, 3D pens and small pieces — with simple rules that keep kids safe. 7 min read Grown-ups 3D Design Lesson Plans for Grades 3 to 5 Five ready-to-use 3D design lessons for grades 3 to 5 with Kids 3D Lab — shapes, measuring, holes, symmetry and a design challenge — with goals, steps and ideas for checking learning. 7 min read Projects Make Your Own Cookie Cutter Design a heart-shaped cookie cutter in Kids 3D Lab with two hearts and a heart-shaped hole, then learn how to make stars, animals and your own shapes. 6 min read Maths & science What Is CAD? Computer-Aided Design Explained for Kids What does CAD stand for? CAD means computer-aided design. Learn what CAD is, what 3D CAD and CAD in DT mean, who uses it, and how kids can start doing CAD today, for free. 7 min read 3D printing What Is 3D Printing? Explained for Kids What is a 3D printer, and what does it do? A 3D printer makes real things you can hold, one thin layer at a time. 3D printing explained for kids, with fun facts. 6 min read App skills Make Your First 3D Model in 10 Minutes How to make a 3D model, step by step — your very first one is a name tag with your own name on it. Great for beginners and school projects. 6 min read App skills Millimetres Made Easy: How Big Is Your Model? How big is 1 mm, 3 mm or 4 mm? Millimetre sizes with everyday examples, how to find 3 mm on a ruler, and how to make your model just the right size. 7 min read App skills How Holes Work (and How to Make a Key Tag) In Kids 3D Lab any shape can become a hole. Learn how holes cut into other shapes, and make a key tag with a hole for the ring. 6 min read Projects Build a Snowman by Stacking Shapes Stack three balls, add a carrot nose and a hat. A fun first project that teaches you how to put shapes on top of each other. 5 min read App skills Draw Your Own Shape and Make It 3D Use the Kids 3D Lab drawing board to draw any shape you like — with a pencil, lines, boxes and circles — and turn it into a 3D model. 6 min read App skills Turn, Flip and Stretch: Change Any Shape Learn three ways to change a shape in Kids 3D Lab — turn it with the coloured turn arrows, flip it over, and stretch it to make new shapes. 6 min read 3D printing Getting Your Model Ready to Print Six simple checks before you 3D print — flat bottoms, no floating parts, the right size — plus how to save the file for your printer. 6 min read App skills 20 Fun Things to Make in Kids 3D Lab Need an idea? Here are 20 fun, easy things kids can design in Kids 3D Lab, from name tags to crowns, rockets and robots. 5 min read Grown-ups Free 3D Design for Kids: A Guide for Parents and Teachers A free 3D design app for kids aged 5 to 11, right in the browser — no account, no adverts. How children learn shapes, measuring and problem solving, with lesson ideas for home and school. 6 min read