Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. Tinkercad has been around since 2011. It has an easy entry-level introduction to making items for 3D printing. Recommended for grades 3-8. Students can create designs with drag and drop solid geometric shapes. It's used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers around the world.
You will need to set up an account.
Education Bonus! Teachers can set up their Tinkercad Classroom. Students will need a nickname selected by the teacher and a class code to get started.
Learn - 7 Starters - 28 Lessons - 53 Projects
Privacy and Security Regulations Tinkercad is in compliance with COPPA and GDPR. Students under 13 can create a Tinkercad account with approval from a parent/guardian or use Tinkercad in a Tinkercad Classroom created by their teacher.
Video by Peggy
Video by Dr. Bruce Ellis
Read my blog post on Jenifer Wells and her Epic Fail Bucket. She is the technology lab teacher at Rodriguez Elementary in Seguin, Texas. She teaches K-5.
She tells me, “My kids need to understand that failing helps them grow and learn.” She continues with, “I don’t want to see failure as a negative or the ending of a process, I want them to see it as just one more step. So when you fail, I want you to do it EPICALLY and learn from it. Then share your epic fails and be proud of them so others can learn from you.”
3D Printing objects
Available from Amazon
Paperback price - $12.39
How to design and print:
Want to master 3D modeling and printing? Tinkercad is the perfect software for you: It’s friendly, web-based, and free. Even better, you don’t have to rely on Tinkercad’s technical documentation to use it. This easy, full-color guide is packed with photos and projects that bring 3D modeling to life!
No 3D or CAD experience? No problem: Best-selling author James Floyd Kelly teaches you step-by-step through simple examples and hands-on activities. You’ll learn all the concepts and techniques you need...build your skills, comfort, and confidence...and create exciting projects that show off Tinkercad’s full power. Learning 3D with your kids? You’ll even find projects you can work on together!