3D Printed Toys: 20 Ideas Kids Love (And How to Print Them Safely)
Got a 3D printer and kids at home? Then you've probably already printed a flexi dragon or two. There are thousands of great toy designs to download, but you can also make toys that only exist in your kid's head, like the dragon they drew last week.
In this post I've collected 20 toy ideas, from classic fidget toys to toys made from drawings and photos, plus some tips on how to print them safely.
- My favourite custom toy is your kid's own drawing as a real toy, made with the Kid's Drawing to Toy template.
- The best downloads are flexi animals, print in place fidget toys, marble runs and puzzles from Printables or MakerWorld.
- For safety, avoid small parts for kids under 3, sand sharp edges, print solid walls and use PLA or PETG.
- Use PLA for figures, PETG for toys that get thrown around and TPU for squishy ones.
Toys made from your kid's imagination
You won't find these on any download site, because they start from your kid's drawing, a photo or an idea.
1. Their drawing as a real toy
Take a photo of the drawing, upload it to the Kid's Drawing to Toy template and you get a 3D model that keeps the wobbly lines and the colours. Kids usually recognise their own drawing immediately, which is the best part.
For the best result, photograph the drawing flat and in daylight, without a shadow over it. Drawings with bold outlines and filled in colours work better than a faint pencil sketch, and it helps to have one character per drawing. You can also pick how the toy should look:
2. Themselves as a toy
A figure of your kid as an astronaut, a footballer or a superhero. The AI Action Figure template gives it a collectible look, and Cartoon Character of You makes it look like an animated movie character.
3. The family pet as a toy
Made from one photo with the Pet Figurine template. Kids love having a pocket sized version of the dog.
4. A dragon of their own
Come up with the description together, like "A friendly green dragon with tiny wings". My guide on how to 3D print a dragon has more tips.
5. A desk monster from one sentence
Anything you can describe, you can make with Text to 3D, like an octopus, a robot, a dinosaur or a sea creature.
6. A Halloween costume figure
Your kid in their costume as a little figure, a new one every year. Made with Halloween Costume Figurine.
7. The family car as a toy car
A scale model of your actual car with the Car Scale Model template. Toddlers love "our car".
8. Your own house in miniature
The House Miniature template turns a photo of your house into a small model. It's solid, so you can't open it like a dollhouse, but kids love seeing their own home that small.
9. An anime figure of their own character
Older kids who draw their own characters will like the Anime Figure template. They can upload their drawing or describe the character.
10. Cookie cutters in their shapes
Turn their drawing into a cookie cutter and bake together. Here's how to make a custom cookie cutter.
Classic toys to download
These are free on Printables, MakerWorld and Thingiverse. Search for the name and pick a design with lots of makes and photos:
| # | Toy | Why kids love it | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Flexi animals (dragon, rex, fish) | Every joint wiggles, prints in one piece | 4+ |
| 12 | Print in place fidget spinners | Spins straight off the print bed | 6+ |
| 13 | Infinity cube | Folds over and over | 6+ |
| 14 | Marble run pieces | Build your own track | 5+ |
| 15 | Gear toys | Turn one and they all turn | 5+ |
| 16 | Articulated octopus or slug | Wiggly and fun to hold | 4+ |
| 17 | Puzzle boxes | A challenge for older kids | 8+ |
| 18 | Spinning tops | Simple and fast to print | 4+ |
| 19 | Chess or checkers set | Learn a game together | 6+ |
| 20 | Dollhouse furniture | Endless sets | 4+ |
For fidget toys and anything print in place, I'd always go with a download. Those designs are tuned to a tenth of a millimetre so the parts move freely, and lots of people have already tested them on their printers. My list of free STL sites shows where to look.
If you'd like a chess set in your kid's favourite theme, here's how to make a custom chess set.
Are 3D printed toys safe for kids?
They can be, if you stick to a few rules. Don't give small parts to kids under 3, since anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard. Sand off sharp edges and support marks, and print with 3 or more walls and at least 20% infill so a toy doesn't snap into sharp pieces.
Stick to PLA or PETG for kids' toys. Resin prints are more brittle, and uncured resin is toxic. Printed plastic also isn't food safe, because bacteria get stuck in the layer lines, so keep toys away from mouths. And check the toys every now and then for cracks, and throw out anything that's broken.
Best filament and settings for toys
| Toy type | Filament | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Figures and display toys | PLA | 0.12 to 0.16 mm layers, 15 to 20% infill |
| Toys that get thrown | PETG | 0.2 mm layers, 4 walls, 25% infill |
| Flexi and fidget toys | PLA | Follow the designer's settings exactly |
| Squishy toys | TPU | Slow speed, 0.2 mm layers |
| Bath toys | PETG | Solid infill so water doesn't get in |
How long does it take to print a toy?
| Toy | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Flexi animal | 1 to 3 hours |
| Fidget spinner | 1 to 2 hours |
| Drawing toy (8 to 10 cm) | 3 to 6 hours |
| Action figure (12 cm) | 5 to 9 hours |
| Marble run set | a weekend |
Getting started
Next time your kid draws something they're proud of, take a photo of it. Upload it to the Kid's Drawing to Toy template and print it overnight, so it's waiting for them in the morning.
More guides
For more printer ideas, here are cool things to 3D print. For birthdays and holidays, I have a list of 3D printed gift ideas. And for a rainy baking afternoon, here's how to make a custom cookie cutter.
Happy printing!
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FAQ
What toys can you 3D print?
Figures, animals, dinosaurs, vehicles, print in place fidget toys, flexi animals, puzzles, marble runs, chess sets, dollhouse furniture, and custom toys made from a kid's drawing or a photo. Most free toy designs are on Printables and MakerWorld.
Are 3D printed toys safe for kids?
For kids over 3, yes, if you're careful. Avoid small parts that can be swallowed, sand down sharp edges, print with solid walls so pieces don't snap into sharp bits, and use PLA or PETG. Don't give printed toys to babies or toddlers who still put things in their mouth.
Can I turn my child's drawing into a toy?
Yes. Take a photo of the drawing and upload it to the Kid's Drawing to Toy template in 3D AI Studio. You get a 3D model that keeps the colours and the look of the drawing, which you can download as STL or 3MF and print.
What is the best filament for 3D printed toys?
PLA is easy to print and comes in bright colours, so it's good for figures and display toys. PETG is tougher and bends before it snaps, which is better for toys that get thrown around. TPU works for squishy, flexible toys.
Are 3D printed toys durable?
They can be. PETG toys printed with 4 walls and 20 to 25% infill survive being dropped and thrown. Thin parts like tails or swords break first, so chunky designs last longest.
Can kids use a 3D printer?
Older kids can, with an adult nearby. The nozzle and bed get hot, so younger kids are better off choosing or drawing the design and watching the print. Enclosed printers are the safest choice at home.
What 3D printed toys are good for toddlers?
Only big, chunky toys without small or detachable parts, like a large animal figure or the family car model, printed in PLA or PETG with solid walls. Anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is a choking risk.
Can I sell 3D printed toys?
You can, but toys for children usually have to meet toy safety rules, like CE marking in the EU or CPSIA testing in the US. Selling them as decorations or collectibles for adults avoids most of that, but check the rules where you sell.
Can you 3D print fidget toys?
Yes. Print in place spinners, flexi animals, infinity cubes and clicker toys are some of the most popular downloads on Printables and MakerWorld. They come off the printer with working moving parts, so there's nothing to assemble.
Is it free?
Most fidget toy downloads are free. With 3D AI Studio you can try the templates for free when you sign up and see the toy in 3D. Downloading the STL or 3MF to print is part of the paid plans.