3D pen — low heat, cordless, draws in the air

A cordless pen that draws in plastic instead of ink. The line comes out soft and sets within seconds. Trace a shape flat on paper and peel it off, or draw one part and stand it up on another, and the drawing becomes something you can hold.

What it builds

• Thinking in three dimensions: a box is six flat squares until you work out how they join
• A steady hand, since the line follows exactly where the pen goes and at the speed it goes
• Planning before you start: the parts get drawn first and joined later, like a model kit you design yourself
• Fixing things, because a snapped piece can be welded back on with a little more plastic

Why we stock it

Most 3D pens are built for adults. They run hot enough to burn, and the plastic they use smells. This one works at a low temperature with a low-heat plastic, so the outside of the pen stays cool and the line is safe to touch soon after it sets. That makes it one of the few toys that takes a drawing off the page, and one of the few craft kits that still gets used after the first weekend.

The details

Age

6 and up, with an adult nearby at first

Heat

Low-heat plastic. No hot parts on the outside.

Power

Built-in battery, USB charging

Use

Cordless, or plugged in while it charges

Draws on

Paper, stencils, or straight into the air

Plastic

Low-temperature strands, sold as refills

In the box

The pen and a USB charging cable. Charge it fully before the first go, and give it a few seconds to warm up before the first line comes out.

Care

Only use the plastic that matches this pen. Ordinary 3D-printer filament melts at a higher temperature and will block the nozzle. Keep a strand loaded or empty the pen completely rather than leaving a half-melted piece in the tip. Wipe the tip with a dry cloth while it is warm. Turn it off and put it down on its side between sessions, not tip-first.

Specifications colours and content may vary from illustrations