50 Easy & Fun Things to 3D Print in January 2020
Fed up with print jobs that need days to complete? Forget about it! Check out over 50 easy and fun things to 3D print in an hour or less.
We’re all busy people. Sometimes we haven’t the time to wait for days and days before a print job is finished. And worse still is if the print job gets all futzed up at the eleventh hour and you have to start all over again.
No. Sometimes, we want to print something just for fun, something which won’t take longer than an hour. Here are 45 easy and fun things to 3D print that are so simple, they’ll be finished less than 60 minutes (some tweaking of infill and support settings may be necessary for a few models).
These timings have been checked for accuracy on an Original Prusa i3 MK3S, but keep in mind that some 3D printers will perform faster than others, and you’ll probably have tweaked your machine for optimal speed and settings.
5 Easy Steps to 3D Print Easy & Fun Things
- Browse this list of fun things to 3D print for inspiration and ideas. Go ahead, take your time, we’ll be here when you get back.
- Download the STL file for your chosen model. Click on the link to take you to the site where the files are hosted, and you can download them absolutely free. Please note that some sites may require registration before you can download.
- Slice the STL file to prepare it for 3D printing. Whether you use an open source application like Cura or a paid solution like Simplify3D, slicing is a critical step for the quality of your model. Open the STL file and tinker with settings like infill, layer height, and supports.
- Convert the STL file into GCode after you’re done slicing. Save the GCode and upload it to your 3D printer, either using a USB cable, an SD card, or a network connection. Now get printing!
- Alternatively, use a 3D printing service if you don’t have access to a 3D printer. Simply upload the STL files to Craftcloud, the 3D printing and price comparison service from All3DP to have any of these things 3D printed in a variety of materials.
Cork Pals: Fishy Fish
After finishing a bottle of wine, you’ll be left with a cork. You might consider tossing it in the trash, but wait! Why not make a little 3D printed Cork Pal with it. A rising trend that is taking root across the maker community, Cork Pals are 3D printed toys that allow you to recycle your wine corks in a playful way. Take a look at this Fishy Fish, for instance. Just print the head and the tail and use the cork as the body. This 3D printed fish can even float in the bathtub. There are a bunch of different Cork Pals you can print (quickly) and add to the collection, check them out here.
Who made it: uauproject
Where to download: Thingiverse
Space Shuttle 3D Cookie Cutter
There’s a never-ending assortment of 3D printed cookie cutter designs on Thingiverse, but this 3D space shuttle version will really make your baking skills lift-off. This is a quick, two-part print, one template for the body of spacecraft, and another for the wings of the ship. There’s a small incision in the two cookie cutter molds so that you can put the two pieces together, creating a tasty three-dimensional treat. You may want to consider using PETG or another food-safe 3D printing filament. Most 3D printed cookie cutter models can be 3D printed in less than an hour, check out other options here.
Who made it: animus
Where to download: Thingiverse
Cable Clip
One pet peeve that organized makers typically face is finding their USB cables tangled or mangled at the bottom of their book bag. Thankfully, there’s a simple and quick solution that can be created right on your 3D printer – the cable clip! Designed to hold cables measuring between one to two meters long, this 3D printed model can be used to keep your different cables organized. It’s especially useful for phone charging cables. To use it, simply coil the cable by hand into a small loop, squeeze the loop and insert it into the clip, and enjoy your neatly organized cable.
Who made it: magicxman
Where to download: Thingiverse
Hex Guitar Pick
This one is exclusive for the musicians out there, but it’s incredibly useful (and a potential lifesaver) for any guitar or bass player in a pinch. Incredibly fast to print, this 3D printed hexagonal guitar pick has a textured pattern on the top to improve grip. You should use a 0.1mm layer height to 3D print the pick, which is crucial to nail down the detailed surface pattern. There are tons of other 3D printed guitar picks on Thingiverse for you to download, take a look at this collection to explore more options.
Who made it: Hagster
Where to download: Thingiverse
Retro Filament Spool Keychain
Carry your love for 3D printing with you everywhere with this awesome retro filament spool keychain attachment. Remixed from Heliox’s “Beautiful Mini Filament KeyChain” design, this version features a retro spool holder. Print the two spool holders in black and select your favorite color for the middle. These pieces are designed to snap together without any adhesive assistance. To be honest, this 3D printed model may take a little over an hour to 3D print, especially if you decide to change colors for the middle part. But it’s still a relatively quick and easy print that should be included on every maker’s keychain.
Who made it: TheNewHobbyist
Where to download: Thingiverse
Articulated Dolphin Keychain
3D printed articulated animal models are all the rage on Thingiverse right now. They’re designed with sections that are connected with built-in joints, so you can bend them with ease and watch your favorite species come to life. These joints and sections can be printed all in one go, making these articulated animals incredibly easy to print and fun to play with. Some of these articulated models take a while to print, but this articulated dolphin keychain can be made in less than an hour. It comes with a keychain loop, so you can carry this flexible sea creature and show it off wherever you go – whether that be on land or in the sea.
Who made it: paul0
Where to download: Thingiverse
The Thork
Tired of getting cheese fingers when snacking on Cheetos? The Thork is here to save a romantic Netflix evening from the dust of finger food. It has an easy print and assembly, and its printing time is only an hour. However, be aware that for using it with food-related products you should print it with an antibacterial filament and wash it thoroughly every time it’s used. You don’t even have to use it exclusively for spearing Cheetos. They have different uses, like petting your cat (if he/she will allow it) or using it in a mini Zen garden. So multifunctional!
Who made it: Trevor Day Enterprise XD Design
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Quick Hinge
If you’ve got a project that’s hinging on a quick hinge, this is the print for you. Its creator designed it to hold an acrylic door for their 3D printer, but you can use it for a lot of other purposes. Best of all, it can be printed off fairly quickly and works effectively.
Who made it: solertron
Where to download: Thingiverse
V29 Survival Whistle
Make some noooooooise with this 3D printed whistle. It emits a pitch of 118db! Suitable for use by lifeguards, traffic cops, school teachers, and party animals. It takes about an hour and a half to print with the recommended 100% infill at 200 microns. But you can further reduce the print time by printing it at 300 microns instead.
Who made it: Joe Zisa
Where to download: Thingiverse
Magnetic Vase
Looking to spice up your fridge or metal locker with a little flora? This small, magnetic vase does exactly that, just add your favorite flower. You can also use fake flowers if you don’t want to worry about them wilting and dying. To keep them upright and positioned how you want them, stuff some tissue in before putting the flower in. If you’re really creative you can print a whole bunch of them and start a garden on your fridge.
Who made it: Bruce
Where to download: Thingiverse
Klöts (Quick Shoe Ties)
If you’ve ever struggled with tying your shoelaces, or become frustrated when they keep untying themselves and thought, “there’s got to be a better way!” you’ve got something in common with the designer of Klöts, or quick shoe ties. The Thingiverse file comes with three different sized Klöts: One for small shoes and kids’ shoes, one for average-sized shoes and a third for large shoes and boots.
Who made it: Tino Kaartovuori
Where to download: Thingiverse
Toothbrush Travel Case
Leaving your toothbrush exposed and festering in the bottom of a travel bag is gross. In the interest of keeping your pearly whites bright and healthy, rather than go to a drugstore to pick up a travel case to protect it, print one yourself! This model requires some supports, but should be a quick print depending on how much infill you go for.
Just make sure you use a filament that is food safe!
Who made it: Doug McInnes
Where to download: Thingiverse
Web Camera Cover
A super-fast print to keep you away from surveillance. This print can be the solution for your privacy concerns, giving a classier cover than tape and post-its on your computer’s camera. Additionally, you won’t have to remove your entire cover each time that you are up for video calls.
Who made it: HorizonLab
Where to download: Cults3D
This sturdy keychain is deceptively hollow in the inside, leaving just enough space to squeeze in a tightly rolled bill. Will you put a Benjamin inside it? A $20? That’s up to you. The creator suggests keeping it on a keychain for emergency situations, like when your kid is in need of help, you can reveal they have cash hiding inside it. Or, if you’re like us, you’ll just use it to buy ice cream when you’ve forgotten your wallet or the ice cream shop doesn’t accept cards.
Who made it: Jeff Pace
Where to download: Thingiverse
Flexi Rex
Flexi Rex has a history almost as rich as the dinosaurs he was modeled after. He was originally conceived as a drop-in enhancement for the legendary board-game “Settlers of Catan”. Designed by Zheng3, the original Robber Rex was a humorous little model. Now finessed through a series of remixes, we have the Flexi Rex, which adds links to make him bendable. You can also print Flexi Rex in two colors using a dual-extrusion 3D printer, though that will lengthen the production time.
Who made it: Alexander Thomas
Where to download: Thingiverse
Fidget Cube
Forget about stress, anxiety or lack of concentration with this 3D printed fidget cube. Scale the files to 800% and print at 25% infill. Printing in two different colors would certainly improve the optics of your cube, but this may increase your printing time. This print is recommended for printers that can perform overhangs and bridges wells, otherwise, the cube may be contra productive and result in increased stress over the poor print.
Who made it: Cthig (Collier Thigpen)
Where to download: Thingiverse
Smart One-Handed Bottle Opener
Trying to improve on the basic design of a bottle opener is a favorite pastime of the maker scene. Case in point is this one-handed bottle opener. Because, hey, using two hands to open that beer is one hand too many.
Who made it: Tino Kaartovuori
Where to download: YouMagine
Proteus Key Holder
This is a key holder in the style of a Swiss Army penknife. Simply print each half and then assemble together with your keys using a set of nuts and bolts. For this particular project, it’s recommended that you raise the infill to 75% minimum. That will increase the print time past the 1-hour threshold we’ve set ourselves, but you can definitely fabricate a sample model with lower infill in under an hour.
Who made it: Protean Man
Where to download: Thingiverse
Travel Egg Cup Holder Protector
Going for a hike or a trip and want to bring a boiled egg with you? Don’t worry about any gooey messes with this egg protector that will keep your snack intact. Of course, there is no standard egg size, so depending on how big your eggs are, be sure to scale the print accordingly.
Who made it: Matt P
Where to download: Thingiverse
The hand was created by OpenBionics, which makes affordable robotic prosthetics. For best results, they recommend printing it really slowly due to the tall islands and a small area of contact with the print bed. So, it will take longer than an hour if you do it right, but we think it’s worth it. This little hand is printed all in one piece using NinjaFlex filament and is able to grasp onto things by pushing the base of the hands to open it.
Who made it: Open Bionics
Where to download: Thingiverse
Pom Pom Maker
This is an easy way to make pom poms while avoiding labor-intensive knitting sets. It consists of two doughnut-shaped structures. The printing time for the medium size file is about an hour, but the result will provide days of fun. Print two of whichever size you choose (five sizes are available). The system is pretty simple, and it is intended for kids from 6 years old on.
Who made it: Rob W Lakes
Where to download: Thingiverse
Credit Card Cutlery
Let’s imagine you want to spontaneously chow down on a big plate of currywurst and chips. No cutlery? No problem, whip out these credit card sized utensils from your wallet, press out the knife and fork, and enjoy your meal. Also comes with a spork variation, so you have all your bases covered.
Standard caveats about 3D printing and food apply. Firstly, fabricate with a non-toxic filament like PLA or PETG to avoid contaminating your food. Secondly, this is an item designed for single use only. Microbes have a habit of getting stuck in the tiny crevices between layers.
Who made it: Mike Fasig
Where to download: Thingiverse
Folding Travel Coat Hanger
In all honesty, this will take longer than an hour, especially if you want it to be super sturdy to handle pants and a jacket. However, there is no denying this is a fun travel accessory that can keep your clothes crease-free in a pinch or give you a solid option to hang clothes up while they dry.
The hanger comes in two configurations for kid-size and adult-size clothes.
Who made it: Franc Falco
Where to download: Thingiverse
Happy Birthday Cake Topper
Did you just remember your mom/best friend/partner’s birthday is today and forgot to do anything special? Fear not! You can print out this cake topper in less than an hour, stick it in anything at hand (a loaf of bread, a bowl of nachos, a muffin, a bouquet) and present it to that special person. Just make sure you use a food-safe filament and don’t reuse it if you’re printing with something like PLA. Print it flat on your print bed so you don’t need to use any supports.
Who made it: Bryan Devolder
Where to download: Thingiverse
3DBenchy
The jolly 3D printing torture test is totally worthy of inclusion here. Not only is it a pretty little steamboat, it’s also been carefully designed to test and calibrate the settings on your 3D printer. We’re literally drowning in them here at All3DP, because they’re so reliable for quickly assessing the capabilities of the 3D printers that come into our workshop for review.
Who made it: CreativeTools
Where to download: YouMagine
Sunglasses Visor Clip
A simple but effective life hack for stashing your sunnies out of harm’s way in your car. This 3D printed clip is in the shape of a “U” and attaches to the sun visor, with an open loop to hold the arms of the sunglasses. Quick, simple and clever. We like!
Who made it: Trevor Long
Where to download: Thingiverse
Earbud Case
Those precious ear-buds need better care than being stuffed into your bag or pocket, where they might crash into coins, keys and lint and come off the worse for wear. Print this excellent little spool design, which protects the jack and phones, whilst keeping the cord free of tangles.
Who made it: Walter Hsiao
Where to download: Thingiverse
Strong Carabiner
This is an ultra useful item to 3D print – a carabiner with a strong frame and a flex door design which uses a split hinge to open and close. It prints quick and easy with no supports; simply arrange two items on the single build tray. While this carabiner is capable of carrying loads of up to 30kg, it’s not suitable for use in activities such as climbing. Absolutely no way should you even think about doing that.
Who made it: Brian Kay
Where to download: Thingiverse
Turbine Faucet Watersaver
We can’t say with certainty that this dinky little turbine is going to help you save on your water bills. But what it will deliver is a neat sprinkler effect, dispersing the water in a wide arc so that you can clean your dishes/hands/whatever more quickly.
Who made it: Luis Gonzalez
Where to download: Thingiverse
Cable Holder
Keeping wires and cables out of harm’s way is a problem experienced by every modern desk jockey. This nifty cable holder is the solution. It comes in three variations; one sized for smartphone cables, one standard for fixing in place and another that can be weighed down with coins.
Who made it: Bardia Zadeh
Where to download: Thingiverse
Micro Catapult
This is a great little toy for the office or classroom; a print-in-place micro catapult which can lob tiny nuggets of ammo. The maker reckons it can hit targets up to two meters away. The smart feature is that you can lock the catapult in place until you’ve loaded it up and are ready to fire. The “spring” mechanism relies on the flexibility of the material. In those terms, a less brittle filament like ABS or PETG is most suitable.
Who made it: Luke Tansell
Where to download: Thingiverse
Keychain Smartphone Stand
This is a small, practical and funky keychain that doubles as a stand for your smartphone. Available as one of six different creatures, ranging from a dragon to a hippo to a cat, this is a model that’s incredibly easy to make in an hour or less.
Who made it: Sonia Verdu
Where to download: Thingiverse
Shark Comb
Coif your locks into a towering sharknado with this snazzy grooming tool. What if you have shoulder-length hair? You’re gonna need a bigger comb.
Who made it: Faberdashery
Where to download: YouMagine
Spirograph Set
Relive those distant memories of childhood – or create fresh ones with your little ones – with this fun toy for drawing geometric figures. It’s simple to print, but it guarantees hours of fun. Pen and paper not included.
Who made it: Valdis Torms
Where to download: Thingiverse
Simple Toothpaste Squeezer
Moving to the bathroom, this item is perhaps the most useful thing on this list. It’s also the quickest to make. It’s a simple toothpaste squeezer to maximize your dental hygiene. Also, don’t forget to floss.
Who made it: Randall Smith
Where to download: Thingiverse
One Hand Book Holder
If you happen to be grappling with A Song of Ice and Fire – or some other monster tome – then you’re going to need some help keeping those pages propped open. Enter the one hand book holder, an uncomplicated solution made possible through the miraculous wizardry of 3D printing. Signal the banner-men for House Filament!
Who made it: Daniel Gross
Where to download: Thingiverse
Book Owls
Another quick 3D printing project for lovers of literary pursuits are these owl-shaped bookmarks. They come in two sizes (for big books and little books). Whether the tale is filled with characters fair or fowl, these items will leave readers hooting with pleasure.
Who made it: Faberdashery
Where to download: YouMagine
Men's Wallet
This is a collection of wallets with geometric patterns and branding, each of which can be individually customized or resized. Each wallet is printed flat, as a single sheet, which can then be folded into shape.
Who made it: XYZWorkshop
Where to download: YouMagine
Touring Bike Business Card
After you’ve printed a wallet, queue up this business card next. Why? Because it’s a miniature clip-out model card of a touring bike. Fits perfectly inside your new wallet, ready to amaze and delight your friends.
Who made it: katsuhiko kikkawa
Where to download: Thingiverse
Mini Folding Knife
Constantly in need of a pocket knife? Get this credit card-sized Mini Folding Knife Assembly Kit. It may not be quite as reliable as your Swiss Army knife, but you will certainly impress your friends with this handy kit that can be assembled and folded. The printing time is a bit over an hour, but the extra minutes can compensate for an emergency case use. The model includes a serrated and non-serrated file. Some post-printing work will be required, as you need a flat and rounded finish to fit the parts together. Still, it’s basically a survival kit in a business card. How cool is that?
Who made it: PRima
Where to download: Thingiverse
Puzzle Key Hook
This puzzle version of a key holder, which can keep up with an expanding key collection, will bring an interesting (and useful) aesthetic to your home’s entrance. Additionally, it allows for a periodic reorganization. The fact that the parts in principle do not require much post processing and that extra pieces can be printed as needed is a great plus.
Who made it: Patrick Sieber (Ricky 1982)
Where to download: Thingiverse
Hanging Photoframe
Get a fast and fun print to decorate your space with floating photos. This print takes just under an hour of printing time and lets you feature your memories in a minimalist way. The lack of post processing (aside from the installation) is an added value when it comes to time requirements.
Who made it: Tosh
Where to download: Thingiverse
Fast Release Earbud Wrap Designer v2.4
Just because we love credit card size products, here’s another one. This flat storage would be an ideal earbud wrapping solution. It’s easy to pack away when not in use and it has customizable options, all of which makes it a convenient must-have item. Its print time is about 40 minutes, but it will certainly save you some minutes every day when unwrapping your earbuds.
Who made it: Brian Alang
Where to download: Thingiverse
IPad and Tablet-Table Stand
These simple but strong stands offer an easy to carry solution for keeping your tablet or iPad upright. Print two and use one at each end of your device. It works regardless of brand/type, so save yourself the hassle of buying expensive supports with this quick print. It can, however, offer only one inclination angle.
Who made it: Luz Pinheiro
Where to download: Thingiverse
Classic LEGO Brick
LEGO bricks are already fun on their own, but how much more fun is it to 3D print them yourself? For about half an hour per piece, you can extend your collection with a wide range of bricks offered. This is also a great solution for that one missing brick in your LEGO masterpiece. The files include a variety of sizes. For a larger offer of LEGO bricks (under and over an hour) check Fantastic LEGO to 3D Print.
Who made it: Ben Peters
Where to download: Thingiverse
Easy Chopstick
If you use your chopsticks like a fork and stab your sushi rather than daintily pick it up, here your salvation. This easy chopstick help (cheat) is here to save the day. Carry extra pieces for your friend to make this handy helper less judged. With a print time of only about 20 minutes, you will have enough time to squeeze in a fast print for a last-minute lunch invite. Even though this might not be a must-have for many folks, there’s certainly some who could make great use of it.
Who made it: Andres Canan
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Can Handles
This can handle will take an extra 20 minutes after the hour, but you’d save yourself from getting cold fingers and a warm beer/soda. It has an added bonus of being an ice breaker, since you can (humble) brag about your 3D printing prowess with friends and strangers. Be sure to test it out beforehand to ensure that its dimension fit the local can dimensions and that your print offers sturdy support. It would be a shame to spill your drink all over yourself!
Who made it: Bruceeckerput
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Customizable Coin Trap
If you are wondering why you would need a coin trap, Laura Taalman envisions it for those uncomfortable occasions when you lose a bet. Sure, you’ll pay up when you lose the bet, but good luck getting that money out! You can also immortalize your own successful bets or keep your lucky penny safe. The author provided STL files preloaded with the diameters of all US coins and the 10 top world currencies. You can also enter the coin diameters manually.
Who made it: Laura Taalman
Where to download: Thingiverse
Dachshund by Picasso
This fun design is for fans of the pencil animal drawings by Picasso. It is a fast and easy print that will be done in less than 15 minutes. Print it at 20% infill.
Who made it: Zac Fenigshtien
Where to download: Thingiverse
Feature image source: DrLex / Thingiverse
Image credits: All images copyright their respective owners.