Why? Because It’s a Dad Superpower
3D printers are affordable, easy to use, and insanely useful.
Instead of tossing broken toys or hunting for lost parts, just print replacements in hours. Need a Minecraft figure, Transformer, Monster Truck, or even a Bluey character?
You can make it yourself. No more waiting for shipping or overpaying for collectibles—your printer has you covered. Minecraft figures, Transformers, Monster Trucks, Bluey characters—whatever your kid is into, you can print it.
What You Need to Get Started
1. Pick a Printer
3D printers come in a wide price range, from under $200 to well over $1000. The right one for you depends on your budget and how much tinkering you’re willing to do.
Need more details? Check out this video.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best options at different price points:
Under $200
- Best for beginners – Fast, compact, and truly plug-and-play.
- Works great for printing toys for kids without a steep learning curve.
- Downside: Smaller print size, but for the price, it’s a powerhouse.
Under $300
- Easy setup – Comes with preloaded print files and a spool of PLA.
- Fast and reliable – But it’s loud.
- Downside: No built-in learning resources, so you’ll need to find guides online (which is easy).
Under $500
- A step up from the Mini – More features, larger print area.
- Great balance between price and performance.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Excellent print quality and fast print speed.
- Less hassle
Under $1000
This is one of the best 3D printers out there, I can rarely find a “best of” list without it.
Some say it’s not worth the hype given cheaper alternatives.
- Rock-solid reliability – Reviews said they can count print failures on one hand after months of use.
- Supports a wide variety of filament types
- If you have the budget, this is the one to get.
2. Material: Use PLA
- It’s the easiest and best for beginners.
- Overture PLA from Amazon is solid and affordable.
- Other filaments exist (rubber-like, wood-infused, etc.), but start with PLA.
3. Software: OrcaSlicer
- Free and better than most others.
- If you don’t like it, PrusaSlicer and Cura are good backups.
4. Where to Find Cool Stuff to Print
- Thingiverse, Printables, Cults3D, MakerWorld – Thousands of free models.
- Or make your own with Tinkercad (easy) or Fusion 360 (pro-level).
5. Learn Fast (Skip the Pain)
- YouTube: Check out FranklyBuilt and The 3D Print Zone.
- Reddit & all3dp.com – Great guides, troubleshooting help, and dad-tier advice.
The Downsides You Might Want to Consider
3D printing is awesome—saves money, keeps kids entertained, and turns you into a DIY legend. But it’s not all sunshine and perfectly printed toys. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Plastic Waste Adds Up
Failed prints, support structures, and leftover filament pile up fast. That means, over time, you’ll generate a lot of plastic waste.
There are recyclable options, but it’s more expensive.
Not All Materials Are Kid-Safe
As you get deeper into 3D printing, you’ll want to try ABS or resin. But be careful—ABS releases toxic fumes, and resin is hazardous to touch. Not all prints are safe for kids.
So do your research well, and make sure you do your printing in a place with proper ventilation.
Printing Takes Time (and Can Be Loud)
That awesome new toy? Might take 6-12 hours to print. And if you’re sound-sensitive, some printers can be noisy, like having a tiny factory running in your house.