When I first heard about 3D pens, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Could it really be as easy as drawing on paper? Would it be safe and fun to try with my 5-year-old daughter? How about my 1st grade students? The answer, I quickly discovered, was a big YES! Not only is using a 3D pens incredibly simple, but it’s also an amazing creative tool for kids and adults alike.
Our First 3D Pen Adventure
The moment I took the 3D pen out of my desk’s drawer (where it was sitting for about a month after I bought it, not even tested, never opened), my daughter’s eyes lit up. She was a bit ill at the moment, staying home with me while her brother was at kindergarten. We decided to finally test out the 3D pen and started with something festive—a Christmas tree design I downloaded months ago and never got around to try. With just a little guidance from me, she was able to trace the lines of the simple template and bring her first 3D creation to life. Watching her peel the finished tree off the paper was pure magic. She couldn’t believe she had made something so special!
Encouraged by her success, we moved on to freestyle creations. She quickly designed a cat and a little house, and I was amazed by how natural it felt for her to use the pen. The tactile nature of 3D drawing makes it easy for kids to learn, and the results are instant and rewarding, which makes me believe I need to buy more pens and use them with my students!
I created a short video of our first tries with the 3D pen. You can watch it here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMLQ0A_nO0
Why 3D Pens Are Perfect for Kids
Here’s what makes 3D pens such a fantastic tool for kids:
- Easy to Use: If you can hold a marker, you can use a 3D pen. It’s really that simple.
- Creative Freedom: Kids can either follow templates (at the end of this blog post, you will find some!) or draw freehand to bring their own ideas to life.
- Safe and Kid-Friendly: Many 3D pens are designed with safety features like low-temperature filaments, making them perfect for little hands.
- Hands-On Learning: Using a 3D pen helps improve fine motor skills and encourages spatial thinking.
Tips for Getting Started
- Start with Templates: Print simple designs (like a tree, a star, or a butterfly) to help kids get the hang of tracing.
- Use Low-Temperature Filaments: These are safer for children and cool quickly.
- Keep It Simple: Encourage kids to try easy shapes before moving on to more complex designs.
- Celebrate the Imperfections: Remember, it’s all about having fun and exploring creativity!
Why You Should Try It Too
Using a 3D pen isn’t just for kids—it’s a blast for adults, too! Whether you’re making decorations, repairing broken plastic items, or just exploring your artistic side, there’s so much potential in this little tool. I must confess that I made a couple of Christmas tree decorations when the kids went to bed for the night at that first enthusiastic day!
Our 3D pen adventures have become a regular family activity, and it’s so rewarding to see my daughter’s confidence and creativity grow. If you’ve been on the fence about trying a 3D pen, take it from me: It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to bond with your kids while making something truly unique. I am yet to test a 3D pen in my computer lab with my students, but I am absolutely sure it will be great!
So grab a 3D pen, pick a simple design, and let the magic begin. You might be surprised at what you create together!
Some templates
Speaking of templates, I did promise to give you some at the end of the post, so here they are!
Christmas tree 3D pen template
This is a template I found while Googling. I checked the website that claims to have created this, but it had nothing in the “3D pen stencils” section, I could find it, so I’ll just upload it myself with no link to the other website.
I ❤️ Technology 3D pen templates
These templates are something I am very proud of, because I created them and because my daughter loved them! They turned out so cute that I want to just freely give them away. I made them for Valentine’s day but I guess if you love Technology all year round, you can always use them! Here’s a link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3D-pen-templates-I-love-technology-Cute-hearts-pink-STEM-designs-13060852
Pinterest 3D pen projects and ideas board
If you are looking for inspiration or ideas of projects you can create with a 3D pen, I think you will find my Pinterest board very useful. Every time I’m on Pinterest and an interesting 3D pen template or idea pops up, I save it in this board. It’s free, of course! Here is a link – https://www.pinterest.com/technology_realm_resources/3d-pen-project-ideas-resources/
Technology Realm Resources 