Welcome to our curated selection of CNC-made toys, where precision engineering meets creative play. These toys are conceived to be crafted using computer numerical control (CNC) technology, allowing for intricate designs and consistent quality. Our collection features a diverse range of themes, ensuring there is something valuable and enjoyable for everyone. From educational puzzles and model kits to imaginative playsets and decorative items, each toy can captivate and entertain.
The versatility of CNC manufacturing means that these toys can be made, or prepared to be laser cut, from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and acrylic. This flexibility not only enhances the durability and aesthetic appeal of the toys but also allows for safe, non-toxic options suitable for children of all ages.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging construction set for an older child or a simple, engaging toy for a toddler, our selection aims to provide fun and educational experiences. Each toy is meticulously designed to ensure it is not only entertaining but also contributes to the development of fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. All the projects include the necessary bill of materials (where relevant), the files, and clear instructions.
Dive into our selection and discover how CNC-made toys can bring joy and learning to your child’s playtime.
Child Safety
Before we dive into our selection, let’s bring in the important topic of child safety. When creating CNC toys, child safety must be a top priority.
One of the primary concerns is choking hazards. Small, intricate parts produced by laser cutting can pose serious risks, especially for younger children. Always ensure that the toy pieces are appropriately sized for the child’s age group and securely attached to avoid accidental ingestion. Additionally, any detachable parts should be large enough to prevent choking and should comply with safety standards.
Using non-toxic materials is crucial when making DIY toys. Select woods, plastics, and finishes that are free from harmful chemicals, such as lead, phthalates, and BPA. Opt for water-based paints, sealants, and adhesives that are labeled as non-toxic or food-safe to ensure that the toys are safe, even if children put them in their mouths.
Flammability is another important factor. Materials chosen for DIY toys should be inherently flame-resistant or treated with non-toxic flame retardants. This is particularly essential for toys that include wood-based elements or any parts that could potentially be exposed to heat sources.
Hygiene and cleaning are vital for maintaining safe play environments. Toys’ surfaces need to be wiped clean. This helps to prevent the accumulation of germs and bacteria, reducing the risk of infections. Materials that withstand regular cleaning without degrading are ideal for ensuring long-term safety and hygiene.
Supervision is essential when children are playing with toys. Despite the precision and safety considerations in their production, these toys can still pose risks if used improperly. Adult supervision ensures that children are using the toys correctly and allows for immediate intervention if necessary. Additionally, supervision helps reinforce safe play habits and prevents accidents.
Tangram Puzzle
The tangram puzzle is a classic puzzle frequently used for educational purposes. It consists of seven flat polygons, known as tans, which can be arranged to form various shapes. Those shapes can represent a big variety of things, such as animals, objects, numbers, and letters.
Ideally made from 3-mm thick material, it can also be constructed with other thicknesses. Applying different colors to the shapes can help to understand how to put the pieces together making different outlines. This versatile and engaging puzzle aids in developing spatial awareness and problem-solving skills, making it a valuable tool for both learning and recreation. More information about tangram can be found in this YouTube video and in this article.
- Who designed it? 3axis Team
- How popular is it? There is no shared info about how popular this classic puzzle is, but because of how useful and famous it is, we can imagine colorful versions helping kids learn about how to create different shapes.
- Where to find it? 3axis.co
Dinosaur Puzzle
The small and simple dinosaur puzzle is a straightforward assembly project consisting of five parts. It includes cutting files for 1/4 inch (~6 mm) and 1/8 inch (~3 mm) plywood, with easy scalability for other material thicknesses, making the whole puzzle bigger.
An interesting aspect is its flat pack card layout when unassembled, optimizing space and storage, while presenting a nice layout. The puzzle also features engraved details like the dinosaur’s face and arms, adding a charming touch to the final assembled piece. This simple design offers an accessible and enjoyable experience for hobbyists of all levels.
- Who designed it? HTMF Metal Pizza
- How popular is it? This dino has over 2,000 views and one maker has shared their own roaring creation!
- Where to find it? Instructables
Spirograph
The spirograph-like toy offers an easy and engaging way to create mesmerizing shapes. The author provides detailed insights into the calculations and software tools used in the design process, adding an educational element to the project.
While the design is ideally suited for 1/8 inch (~3 mm) thick material, it can be adapted for other thicknesses, and as can be seen in the makes, both wooden and acrylic materials are up to task.
This thoughtful and well-documented approach makes it an appealing project for those interested in both the artistic and mathematical aspects of spirograph drawing.
- Who designed it? safay
- How popular is it? This design tool has 5 makes and over 13,000 downloads combined from both sites.
- Where to find it? Instructables, Thingiverse
Butterfly 3D Puzzle
The butterfly 3D puzzle is an attractive and well-designed three-dimensional puzzle featuring a butterfly. This project offers a satisfying combination of aesthetic appeal and straightforward assembly, making it an enjoyable and accessible activity for puzzle enthusiasts.
The 16 parts that comprise the model are conveniently nested in a card-like layout for efficient cutting. Designed for 3-mm thick material, the assembled model includes a small hole for easy hanging, adding a decorative element to its functionality.
For kids who are learning about laser cutting and putting everything together, this puzzle can also be a fun activity as they can paint the wings before assembling the butterfly.
- Who designed it? bradjshannon
- How popular is it? This elegant bug has around 500 downloads from all sites combined.
- Where to find it? Cults, Printables, Thingiverse
Ping Pong Paddles
These DIY ping pong paddles offer a convenient and customizable solution that combines functionality with visual appeal and provides a straightforward and engaging DIY experience for table tennis enthusiasts.
Featuring engraved details for enhanced aesthetics, these paddles are designed to be made from 5-mm thick material. If only thinner materials are available, the required thickness can be achieved by gluing multiple layers together.
While you could give acrylic a go, because the material can be more fragile (especially if dropped), it might not be the best choice. That said, would acrylic ping pong paddles be amazing for display? Yes!
- Who designed it? JonathanK1906
- How popular is it? This handy sports good has over 1,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Small Airplane
This small airplane is a charming 3D puzzle featuring a chubby design. Made from 3-mm thick material, the model is approximately 140 mm long and 150 mm wide when assembled.
Its cartoon-like appearance makes it an appealing project for hobbyists of all ages. This cute little airplane offers an enjoyable and straightforward assembly experience, and also would work perfectly as a decoration piece with a hanging string!
- Who designed it? 3axis Team
- How popular is it? There’s no information about how popular this pump plane is, but since it’s so cute, we’re sure there are quite a few flying around.
- Where to find it? 3axis.co
Dump/Haul Truck
The dump/haul truck toy is a charming wooden toy designed as a dump truck, also known as a haul truck, which combines craftsmanship with practicality, making it a delightful project for enthusiasts of all ages. Notably, both the wheels and the bucket articulate, adding to its functionality and play value.
Crafted from 6-mm thick material, some parts require gluing two thinner pieces together to achieve the necessary thickness. A detailed YouTube video showcases the design process, production, and assembly, providing clear guidance for builders.
- Who designed it? Bryan
- How popular is it? This heavy-duty truck has over 170 downloads and has been viewed over 750 times.
- Where to find it? Printables
Modular Brick House
The modular brick house offers a versatile option for hobbyists and gamers looking to boost their miniature settings. It includes detailed elements such as door, window frames, and a chimney, enhancing its realistic appearance. It also features stackable stories for customizable configurations.
Made on a 28-mm scale, which is commonly used for miniatures and gaming, the structure is crafted from 3-mm thick material. Because of the scale restriction, changing the material thickness would involve redesigning all parts due to the slot joints.
- Who designed it? Yngel
- How popular is it? This miniature house has 1 make and over 10,000 downloads; one of the makers in the comments states that the design was used for their hamster’s habitat – not a bad life for a cute rodent.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Desktop Tensegrity Table
The Laser Cut Desktop Tensegrity Tables offer a fascinating demonstration of structural design principles, showcasing how non-rigid parts paired with rigid ones can create a stable, tension-based structure. These tables visually illustrate how physics can be fun, appearing to float magically.
Designed for 1/8 inch (~3 mm) thick material, the project requires fishing line for the standard table and two neodymium magnets plus fishing line for the magnetic version. Assembly guidance is provided through a detailed link and a video. This engaging project makes a captivating desktop display and a practical physics demonstration and can be used for both decor and class.
Even if young ones won’t be handling these, we’re pretty sure they’ll be mesmerized, puzzled, and looking for information on how to create their own.
- Who designed it? thediylife
- How popular is it? This clever structure has 2 makes and over 3,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
USS Enterprise
The USS Enterprise is an appealing assembly puzzle for spacecraft enthusiasts, featuring an interesting aesthetic with a pop culture theme. It’s designed for 1/8 inch (~3 mm) thick material, but of course, it could be scaled up to create bigger models.
The cutting file includes engraved details for a sharper look and numbered parts for easy assembly, but keep in mind that some gluing might be necessary due to the number of parts. This thoughtful design combines visual appeal with a straightforward construction process, making it an enjoyable project both for fans of the iconic spacecraft and for 3D puzzle enthusiasts as well.
- Who designed it? JoeSnuffie
- How popular is it? This spacecraft has 22 makes and over 39,000 downloads
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "Laser Cut Toys: 10 Great CNC Toys to Craft" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.