My Kid Wanted a 3D Printer — I Bought a Bambu Lab A1 and Here’s Everything Parents Need to Know

Here’s what I’ve learned: 3D printing isn’t complicated, it’s not as scary as it sounds, and it’s absolutely worth the investment if your kid keeps asking about it. This guide is for parents who feel overwhelmed. I’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to.

Is a 3D Printer Actually a Good Idea for Kids?

Short answer: Yes—with the right printer and the right expectations.

My daughter is 7 years old. She’s fascinated by the printer. She loves choosing what to print, comes home excited to see if it’s finished, and genuinely engages with the entire process. But—and this is important—she doesn’t run it alone. Nor would I expect her to.

Age Guidelines for 3D Printer Independence

• Under 10–12 years old: Parent supervision essential. The technology involves hot surfaces, moving parts, and requires adult oversight for safety reasons.
• 14+ years old: If your kid is genuinely interested, a 3D printer becomes a brilliant learning tool. They can understand filament types, troubleshoot issues, experiment with design software, and develop problem-solving skills.
• 15–16+ years old: Could run the printer mostly independently after setup, with proper safety training. At this age, they can understand the responsibility and safety protocols required.

The reality: This isn’t a “set it loose and walk away” toy. It’s more like power tools or baking—brilliant together, not solo at first.

Why I Chose the Bambu Lab A1 (And Why I’d Do It Again)

Six months before I bought my printer, I watched a video that said: “It doesn’t put a foot wrong.”

That sounded like marketing fluff. It absolutely wasn’t.

I’ve now been printing for nearly two months, day and night without pause, and I’ve had zero real issues. No constant tinkering. No endless calibration. No frustration. It just works—which, as a parent with limited patience for technical troubleshooting, matters more than anything else.

Why the Bambu Lab A1 / A1 Mini Is Perfect for Beginners

• Auto bed levelling – No fiddling, no guessing, no YouTube tutorials
• No clogging (so far – and I’ve printed hundreds of hours)
• Clear touchscreen on the printer itself
• Brilliant app and software – Can monitor prints remotely
• Excellent ecosystem – Parts, filament, and support readily available
• Safe, predictable, reliable – Consistent results from day one
• Excellent multi-color capability with the optional AMS system

If you’re starting out, I genuinely fail to see how the A1 would disappoint anyone. It’s not affiliated hype—I paid for everything myself.

Bambu Lab A1 vs A1 Mini: Which Should You Buy?

Model	Price	Build Area	Best For
Bambu Lab A1 Mini	Around £149	Smaller (256 × 256 × 256 mm)	First-time users, limited space
Bambu Lab A1 (Full Size)	Around £259–£319	Same as Mini but more power	Serious hobbyists, larger projects

For most families, the A1 Mini is excellent value if space or budget is limited. The full A1 is worth the extra investment if you can accommodate it.

View current Bambu Lab A1 pricing on the official UK store →

Where Does a 3D Printer Live? (The Noise Factor Is Real)

This is something nobody talks about until they’ve got a printer running at 2 AM.

3D printers are:

• Clunky
• Noisy at night
• Totally fine during the day

Mine started in the kitchen. It didn’t stay there.

The Reality of 3D Printer Noise

At daytime print speeds, the noise is manageable—you’ll barely notice it in another room. But overnight prints? That’s a different story. The mechanical sounds—motors, fans, bed movement—can be genuinely irritating when you’re trying to sleep.

Eventually, I moved mine to the garage and built a simple enclosure around it to keep out dust. Problem solved. The noise dropped significantly, the temperature stabilized, and everyone slept better.

Location Decision Tree

• Daytime use only? → Kitchen, spare room, anywhere works fine
• Overnight prints? → Garage, spare room, or build an enclosure
• Space constraints? → Spare bedroom (with ventilation), utility room, or study
• Best practice: Put the printer somewhere you won’t hear it, with decent ventilation

What Can You Actually Print?

This is where it gets genuinely fun.

So far, I’ve printed:

• Phone stands
• Desk organisers
• Drill caddies
• Battery holders
• Washing machine drain hose replacement parts
• A lunch box
• Articulated 3D dragons (lots of them)
• Marble runs (so many marble runs)
• Household fixes I’d normally buy
• Custom organisers for everything

At some point, will I have printed enough marble runs and dragons? Maybe. But right now I’m sorting my garage and absolutely loving it. The possibilities are genuinely endless.

Your kids will surprise you with what they want to print. Things you’d never think of. Things that take 37 hours and come out absolutely brilliant. Things that fail at hour 36 and teach resilience and problem-solving.

Where Do You Get Things to Print? (It’s Easier Than You Think)

This is the big parent question—and the answer is surprisingly simple.

Free Print Files (Yes, Completely Free)

Bambu Handy App

• Built into Bambu Lab printers
• Search what your kid wants
• Press print
• Done

MakerWorld (by Bambu Lab)

• Thousands of ready-to-print designs
• Community uploads
• Kits with parts you print and assemble together

Thingiverse

• One of the oldest 3D printing communities
• Millions of free designs
• Sometimes requires community account
• Quality varies—check reviews and ratings

Printables

• Growing community with excellent designs
• Search filters for difficulty level
• Both free and paid options available

Compatibility: Will It Work on My Printer?

You don’t need to understand file types, but for reference, most files are .stl files (Stereolithography format). You simply drop them into Bambu Studio software (the free desktop application), and it instantly tells you if they’re compatible with your printer.

I’ve printed files from outside Bambu’s ecosystem—Thingiverse, Printables, community uploads—and haven’t had a single compatibility issue with the A1. It’s remarkably forgiving.

Paid Files (Do You Actually Need Them?)

Paid files exist on Etsy and through independent Patreon creators. Honestly? I haven’t paid for a single file yet. The free options are so comprehensive that paid alternatives rarely offer better value for beginners.

That said, some creators offer premium designs with better engineering, detailed instructions, or exclusive kits. If you find a creator whose work you love, supporting them is worth it.

How Much Does 3D Printing Actually Cost?

This is where most parents brace themselves. The good news? It’s much less expensive than you think.

Initial Hardware Investment

Setup Type	Components	Total Cost
My Setup	A1 printer (~£259) + AMS Lite (~£89) + Starter filament (~£30)	Around £330–£350
Budget-Conscious	A1 Mini (~£149) + Starter filament (£20–£30)	Under £200
Full Package	A1 Combo (includes AMS) (~£319) + Extra filament (£50–£80)	Around £370–£400

Is it a big outlay? Yes. Is it worth it? Completely. Spread across years of daily printing, the cost-per-print is negligible.

Filament Costs (The Real Ongoing Expense)

PLA Filament is the beginner-friendly standard—non-toxic, biodegradable, and easy to print.

• Price per kilogram: £8–£15
• Single roll: Around £15–£20
• Bulk pricing (6 rolls): Just over £10 per roll

My buying strategy: I purchase directly from Bambu Lab’s website. Once you approach 6 rolls, the price drops significantly—making each roll work out at just over £10.

Electricity Costs (Practically Nothing)

I worried about power consumption. Here’s the reality: Electricity costs are practically negligible. A typical FDM printer running continuously uses about 500–700 watts. Even printing 24/7, the monthly energy cost is minimal.

Bottom line: Don’t factor electricity into your decision. It’s not a meaningful expense.

Failed Prints (How Often Does This Happen?)

I’ve had exactly one failed print—caused by a power cut.

That’s it. In nearly two months of continuous printing.

The Bambu Lab A1’s reliability is genuinely exceptional. Older consumer printers might fail 10–20% of prints if you’re unlucky. The A1 has essentially eliminated this problem through intelligent sensors and automatic compensations.

Do You Need the AMS (Automatic Material System)?

This is an important decision point.

Short answer: Only if you want multi-color prints within single objects.

What the AMS Does

The AMS (Automatic Material System) Lite:

• Holds up to 4 different filament colours simultaneously
• Automatically switches colours during printing
• Weaves colours seamlessly into your design
• Makes multi-color printing effortless

Cost: ~£89 for the AMS Lite
Value proposition: If you and your kids enjoy multi-color projects, it’s worth every penny.

Multi-Colour Filament Alternative

If you don’t want an AMS, you have two options:

Option 1: Multi-color filament rolls

• Rainbow-gradient rolls: Around £23 per roll
• Look amazing in prints
• No premium pricing deals found (price seems fixed)
• No need for AMS—just feed it normally

Option 2: Manual filament swaps

• Pause the print
• Swap filament
• Resume
• Works perfectly fine
• Takes a few minutes per swap
• Great for learning

Honestly? The manual swap approach is brilliant for kids because they understand why the colours change and how the printer works.

The Software: This Is Where It Gets Addictive

There’s free software available for Windows and Mac called Bambu Studio.

Even as a complete beginner, I’ve been able to:

• Add names and text to prints
• Emboss initials on objects
• Personalise prints for the kids
• Experiment with designs
• Adjust print settings

This alone adds loads of fun and engagement.

App Features (All Free—No Subscriptions)

• Start prints remotely from your phone (as long as WiFi is connected to the printer)
• Monitor progress in real-time
• View the live camera feed
• Check print time remaining
• Pause and resume prints

All completely free. No subscriptions. No hidden costs. No premium features locked behind paywalls.

The software is a genuine differentiator for Bambu Lab compared to competitors.

Is a 3D Printer Safe for Kids?

This is the question every parent asks.

Physical Hazards

Surfaces that get very hot:

• The nozzle: 200–230°C (hotter than a stovetop)
• The build bed: Up to 100°C
• The extruder: Continuously heated

Moving parts:

• Motors and fans
• The build bed moving in three directions
• The print head traveling rapidly

These require supervision and respect.

Safety Guidelines by Age

• Under 10–12 years old: Close supervision essential. Your child should never be left alone with the printer while it’s operating.
• 12+ years old: With proper training, can operate under supervision.
• 15–16+ years old: Could operate mostly independently after thorough training.

Maintenance (It’s Surprisingly Light)

I was genuinely surprised by how low-maintenance the A1 is.

Routine maintenance:

• Apply a thin bead of oil occasionally (following guidelines)
• Monthly-ish cleaning to keep components dust-free
• Keep the print bed clear before starting
• Check filament is loaded properly

I’ve had no clogging, no jams, no breakdowns. The engineering is genuinely excellent.

Teach Kids These Three Rules

1. Don’t touch moving parts – Always respect the machine’s space during printing
2. Don’t touch the nozzle or bed – They get extremely hot and can cause serious burns
3. Check the bed is clear – Before you start a print, make sure nothing’s in the way

That’s genuinely it. Simple rules, easily understood, keeps everyone safe.

Air Quality and Emissions (Health Considerations)

MakerWorld Kits: This Deserves Its Own Section

This is genuinely brilliant and deserves special attention.

On MakerWorld, you can buy kits that include:

• Marble runs with motorised elements
• Complex mechanisms and gears
• Educational building projects
• Problem-solving challenges
• Everything up to full assembly kits

Real Example: The Marble Run Kit

Why MakerWorld Kits Are Brilliant

• Clear instructions provided
• All files optimised for printing
• Reasonable print times (usually 6–30 hours total per kit)
• Educational value through assembly
• Perfect for Christmas or birthday gifts
• Even adults get genuinely engaged

Browse MakerWorld kits for inspiration →

Complete Cost Breakdown

Typical Setup Scenarios

Setup Type	Costs	Year 1 Total
Budget Setup	A1 Mini (£149) + Starter filament (£30–£40) + Electricity (~£10)	~£189–£199
Solid Hobbyist	A1 Full (£259) + AMS Lite (£89) + Filament (£40–£60) + Year 1 filament (£100–£150) + Electricity (~£20)	~£508–£578
Everything Included	A1 Combo (£319) + Extra filament (£80–£100) + MakerWorld kits (£30–£40) + Replacement parts (£10–£15) + Enclosure (£30–£50) + Year 1 filament (£150–£200) + Electricity (£30)	~£649–£754

Ongoing Year 2+ Costs

• Filament (biggest expense): £150–£250/year
• Replacement parts: £20–£50/year
• Electricity: £15–£30/year
• Optional MakerWorld kits: £0–£50/year

Total ongoing annual cost: £185–£330/year

Return on Value

Consider what you’d normally spend:

• Toys: £20–£50 each
• Desk organisers: £10–£20 each
• Phone stands: £15–£25 each
• Novelty gifts: £25–£100 each

A single 3D printer replacing purchases like these pays for itself within 6–12 months. After that, everything is essentially cost-free (plus minimal filament).

Other 3D Printer Brands Worth Considering

While I’m genuinely not affiliated with Bambu Lab, I should mention alternatives for context.

Creality Printers

What they offer: Solid, budget-friendly options
Why people like them: Lower initial cost, large community support
Reality check: Slightly less polished software, more tinkering required, higher failure rates than Bambu Lab

Verdict: If budget is extremely tight, Creality offers decent value. But you’ll spend more time troubleshooting and less time printing with your kids.

Flashforge and Other Brands

Various manufacturers exist, each with merits. The premium consumer space tends to be dominated by Bambu Lab due to their combination of:

• Reliability and low failure rates
• Excellent software ecosystem
• Multi-color support without expensive add-ons
• Strong community and support

Reality Check

If you’re starting out, the Bambu Lab A1 range remains the best value proposition in consumer 3D printing. Check the UK complete guide to best 3D printers 2025 for detailed comparisons with other top options.

What I’ve Actually Printed (And What It Taught Me)

Functional Prints

• Phone stands – Practical, useful, kids designed them
• Desk organisers – Personalised for each family member
• Drill caddy – Organises bits and pieces in the garage
• Battery holder – Keeps AA/AAA batteries sorted
• Washing machine drain hose parts – Actual replacement part we needed

Learning Prints

• Articulated 3D dragons – Kids chose these; I printed them; they learned about layer-by-layer construction, assembly, and design
• Marble runs – Physics and engineering in action
• Puzzle-based designs – Problem-solving translated to physical objects

Experimental Prints

• Lunch box – Ambitious project; learned about structural integrity
• Decorative pieces – Just for fun

The Pattern

Most successful prints are either:

1. Genuinely useful (functional household items)
2. Inspired by kids (things they want to create)
3. Learning opportunities (things that teach engineering concepts)

The least successful prints are random “cool things” adults think kids might like. Kids are picky—they want what they imagine, not what algorithms suggest.

The Long-Term Reality (After Two Months)

My wife loves it. We’ve had genuine family conversations about what to print next. My 80-year-old mum found it fascinating. The neighbours stop by to watch prints happening. The kids actually choose screen time less because they’re excited about prints finishing.

Will we print everything forever? No. At some point, the novelty wears off—for a while. But what remains is a tool that turned imagination into physical objects. That’s genuinely powerful.

Final Thoughts: From One Overwhelmed Parent to Another

If you’re reading this feeling overwhelmed—don’t worry. You’re exactly where I was.

The decision to buy a 3D printer for your family doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s the simple truth:

1. If your kid keeps asking about it: They’re probably serious, and you should consider it.
2. If budget allows: The Bambu Lab A1 Mini represents exceptional value for the entry point.
3. If you have garage/utility space: Perfect. If not, it can work on a desk—just manage noise expectations.
4. If you’re worried about it being too technical: It’s genuinely not. The A1 takes the complexity out of 3D printing.
5. If you’re concerned about safety: With proper setup and supervision, it’s safe for kids.

Why I Don’t Hesitate to Recommend It

• It consistently works as promised
• Kids genuinely engage with it
• The cost-per-print is negligible once you own it
• It teaches real problem-solving and design thinking
• It’s a brilliant shared family activity
• The ecosystem (software, parts, community) is excellent

The Real Question

“Will my kid actually use it?” – That depends on them, not the printer. But if they’ve been asking about it, the answer is usually yes.

One Last Thing

Sometimes you just have to be the brave parent and click “order.” I’m genuinely glad I did.

Useful Resources

Key Takeaways

Question	Answer
Is a 3D printer good for kids?	Yes, with proper supervision and realistic expectations.
Best printer for beginners?	Bambu Lab A1 or A1 Mini – incredibly reliable and user-friendly.
How much does it cost?	£150–£350 upfront; £150–£250/year ongoing for filament.
Is it safe?	Yes, with proper setup, ventilation, and supervision.
Will my kid actually use it?	If they’ve been asking about it—almost certainly yes.
How much do prints cost?	£0.01–£0.10 per item (mostly filament cost).
What should we print first?	Let your kid choose – that’s where the magic happens.

Ready to take the plunge? Start with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini if budget is tight, or the full A1 if you have space. Either way, you’re making an excellent decision.