# 3d printer for kid **URL:** \ **Category:** đź“„ General\ **Created:** [October 25, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386 "2026-10-25T02:38:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clt49er](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Clt49er](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Clt49er)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/1 "2026-10-25T02:38:58Z")
My 11 year old is seeking a 3d printer, possibly for xmas. Is there a 3d printer and cad/cam that can work with his Google Chromebook? Budget is only $250. He has zero experience with design and I only know the cnc world. Thx ---
**Author:** ![gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gwilki/32/366_2.png) [@gwilki](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gwilki)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/2 "2026-10-25T14:09:53Z")
@Clt49er Look at the Bambu A1 mini. This is my first 3D printer and it is excellent right out of the box. It’s within your budget. It can print up to 7" x 7" x 7", so nothing too big. I don’t know if Bambu Studio, it’s native application can run on a google chromebook. You would have to check that out. ---
**Author:** ![gremlin](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/gremlin/32/13047_2.png) [@gremlin](https://forum.sienci.com/u/gremlin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/3 "2026-10-25T20:12:13Z")
Agree on the Bambu stuff, I’ve had three printers now, starting with the Prusa’s and then the latest is a Bambu X1C with the Bambu if you use their filament it comes close to the hobby being making stuff on the printer and not the printer itself. Checkout TinkerCAD for a pretty friendly intro to modeling software. I know that CostCo is carrying a model of printer that looks like a Bambu knockoff at a lot less money but not sure how good they are. ---
**Author:** ![Karver\_One](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/karver_one/32/11233_2.png) [@Karver\_One](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Karver_One)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/4 "2026-10-27T01:53:30Z")
I very much agree with the choice of the Bambu A1 Mini. Then once your child gets into the Bambu world there is a lot of room to work up as they get older. I personally love my Bambu H2C. They have some of the most stable filaments out there which can be a problem when starting out and buying cheap filaments that get all gooey and stringy with the slightest bit of humidity. If you get into a filament drying problem I highly recommend Alumina Desiccant in a closed cereal plastic box container. (also works if your iphone gets wet lol) > **[Amazon.com: 12LBS Fonday Activated Alumina Filament Drying Desiccant Moisture...](https://www.amazon.com/Fonday-Desiccant-Activated-Rechargeable-Dehumidifiers/dp/B0FR47253N)** > > Buy 12LBS Fonday Activated Alumina Filament Drying Desiccant Moisture Absorber | Strong moisture absorber for 3D filament, electronics, storage bins and safe, More powerful, Rechargeable dehumidifiers: Desiccants - Amazon.com âś“ FREE DELIVERY possible... ---
**Author:** ![\_Michael](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/_michael/32/2962_2.png) [@\_Michael](https://forum.sienci.com/u/_Michael)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/5 "2026-10-27T18:19:40Z")
Even though I like my Prusa the best I agree with what’s been said about Bambu. I think the Bambu is more like an appliance. You get one and start using it instead of tinkering with the machine itself. Bambu Labs also sells project kits. Not sure what or if there is an official term for them but a kit would have the non-printable parts to combine with what you print to make some project. I think those are a really neat idea. ---
**Author:** ![brewpickles](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brewpickles](https://forum.sienci.com/u/brewpickles)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/6 "2026-10-27T19:16:17Z")
I have a QIDI Plus 4 and its been rock solid. It has a huge print bed, heated enclosure, and I’ve printed TPU and engineered filaments with no issues. Might be a bit out of your budget (start at $350) but something to think about as he progresses in the hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Clt49er](https://forum.sienci.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Clt49er](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Clt49er)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/7 "2026-10-27T20:25:04Z")
Thanks all! Looks like I have to install Linux on his chromebook. Never done that either. Gonna need a commitment from my son this isnt just one of those seasonal ideas he thinks will be fun and quit it. ---
**Author:** ![\_Michael](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/_michael/32/2962_2.png) [@\_Michael](https://forum.sienci.com/u/_Michael)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/8 "2026-10-27T20:33:00Z")
[This might be worth a look](https://linuxvox.com/blog/how-to-install-linux-on-chromebook/) for using Linux while keeping ChromeOS if it’s supported on your device. Actually [this is probably better](https://chromeos.dev/en/linux) and you’ve probably already found this stuff. I only looked because I’ve been dual booting Windows and Linux for years and thought it might be way more complicated than it appears to be nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/user_avatar/forum.sienci.com/chucky_ott/32/8692_2.png) [@Chucky\_ott](https://forum.sienci.com/u/Chucky_ott)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://forum.sienci.com/t/3d-printer-for-kid/27386/9 "2026-10-27T20:43:05Z")
@Clt49er Ah yes, “flavour of the day” is we call it in our household. One of our daughters is famous for that. Every request from her has a two-week waiting period and we wait if she asks for it again.