3 Educational Family Weekend Projects to Learn While Having Fun

If you're a parent, a teacher, a cool uncle or aunt, or a diddly doodly neighbor who is well-versed in techniques of 3D printing, spreading the magic of this emerging technology amongst the bright minded young individuals around you should be on the top of your "good deeds" list. A concern that the big thinkers are voicing today is that we're teaching the young generation things they won't need and failing to build on knowledge that will be essential to their lives and professional careers: additive manufacturing, robotics, product development, creative engineering, and so on.

It's too easy to overlook the importance of these skills today, since we, ourselves, have to learn as we go, but taking a grander perspective on the whole learning process may be beneficial to everyone involved. If you don't believe me, can the Roman philosopher Seneca, who said that "While we teach, we learn", sway you? Forget textbooks and quiet classrooms, learning can be as enjoyable as a Saturday afternoon at a funfair, if you roll up your sleeves and go down the creative path.

To save your time and tickle your imagination, we have rounded up a few project ideas that will ensure your weekend is a bomb.

Around the world with 3D Printing

Whether you're planning a family vacation or a short trip not too far away from your hometown, 3D printing can help you spark the excitement weeks before you even start packing! If you know a few things about 3D modeling, begin with creating 3D designs of iconic buildings, historical people or art pieces that you're planning to visit while traveling. If you're not familiar with that process, spend some time browsing the available models to pick and choose the designs that are most appealing to you.

This could be the most mind-grabbing geography or history class you have ever participated in: while you're waiting for the Rome's Colosseum to appear out of thin air, refresh your knowledge on the place's background story, pull up some fun facts, and when the model is printed - place it on the map. At the end of the project you will know more about the history of the place than you could have ever expected to learn through a family activity.

3D Printable - Statue of Liberty by Emerson_Rosa

3D Printable - Eiffel Tower by Emerson_Rosa

Denver Cityscape by parametrix

Charles Robert Darwin SCulpture by 3DCLOUD

Taj Mahal 3D Print Ready Model by 3rdimension

Diving into the frenzy of engineering

Do you or your family members have a knack for technology? There is no better way to develop new skills than take a hands-on approach and build something that is both fascinating and useful. Robotics is today's hottest trend, so digging to the core of its functionality will ensure you're keeping up with the speed of technology and innovations, which is essential if you're aiming to be active in those fields.

Again, if you've done 3D modeling before, it shouldn't be a problem to design something not overly complicated but challenging enough to get the kids buzzing - think drones, robots, engines, spacecrafts, windmills, etc. Computer software is not your thing? That's okay, there are plenty of engineering 3D models online to give you the best experience. Print, build and enjoy learning!

Complete set of mechanical anatomically driven fingers by Robohand

Mini quadruped MK II by oevsegneev

Delta Elite 3D Printable Quadcopter by FlightFixit

3D printable gearbox by Freekd

Free Hydroponics System - All 3Dponics source files by 3dprintler

Getting started with creative product design

Teaching someone to think creatively is not a one day's project, but you have to start somewhere. A cool and highly desirable product is most often based on trying unconventional methods and designs to solve a problem that is otherwise minor, but occasionally drives you to the point of hysteria. If you're short of examples, discover the most annoying cases and how they can be dealt with here.

So this is a project for visual thinkers, problem solvers and aspiring designers. Make a list of every day hitches that kill your nerve cells and have a creative family workshop brainstorming, designing and building unique solutions while at the same time learning and improving your daily experiences with 3D printing.

Wall Flower Mount by 3DPVDB

Ear Bud Case by djgeenen

Printed End Table by bdgonthird

Sunglasses Holder by Tosh

Secret Shelf by Tosh

We are currently hosting an exciting 3D printing design challenge: 3D Printing in Education. Have ideas? Enter now!