Cool 3D Printed Treasures You Need to Make This Weekend

 There's something special about turning computer files into tangible objects in your own home. As my 3D printer has gone from fad to must-have workshop staple, I've printed hundreds of designs—some useful, some stunning, and some just for the fun of it. Today, I'm sharing my personal favorite prints that bring maximum payoff with minimal fuss.

These designs nail the sweet spot: they're stunning to brag about, fun to play with, easy on the post-processing, and don't call for special materials or printer adjustments. Let's jump into six 3D printed treasures that always impress both printing pros and absolute beginners in turn.

1. The Flexi Rex: Not Just Another Dinosaur

The Flexi Rex with Stronger Links is now somewhat of a 3D printing icon, and rightly so. This articulated dinosaur prints out in one piece without supports and is ready to flex and bend right out of your print bed.

What is so great about this version is the strengthened links. Previous flexi prints used to break after a few plays, but this remix eliminates that issue entirely. I've printed dozens as presents, and they never fail to impress people of all ages.

Printing Tips:

Print at 0.2mm layer height for optimal speed vs. detail

15-20% infill is more than sufficient strength

No supports required!

PLA works beautifully, but PETG provides additional durability for children

Scale it up or down to produce a dinosaur clan

The delight of yanking this out of the print bed and watching it bend almost instantaneously is one of those unmixed 3D printing pleasures. And besides, it's now my go-to "test print" when I'm working out settings on a fresh machine or material.

2. The Puzzle Box Series: Mechanical Marvels

Leisure Luke's Puzzle Box Series is 3D printing at its best. These clever boxes have novel opening mechanisms from sliding panels to turning elements, all 3D printed with no extra hardware. 

My favorite thing about this series is the way it showcases what FDM printing can do. These boxes have moving parts, tight tolerances, and smart mechanical designs that would be hard to make through conventional manufacturing at this cost.

Printing Tips:

Go slow with these—0.16mm or 0.12mm layer height is optimal

Print the parts with a minimum of 3 walls for strength

Light sanding of contact points enhances the mechanism action

PLA is okay, but PETG provides a bit smoother action for the mechanisms

I also have a couple of these on my desk as fidgeters, but they are also very nice gift boxes for holidays or birthdays. Something very satisfying to see someone trying to open one!

3. The Balisong Trainer: Fidget Perfection

This 3D Printed Balisong (butterfly knife trainer) is an engineering marvel showcasing the capabilities of 3D printing for functional mechanical devices. In contrast to actual balisongs, this is totally safe—but replicates the pleasing flip action that makes these tools so well-loved as skill toys.

What other design elements make this stand out is that it achieves smooth, long-lasting pivots with solely printed components. No metal hardware needed!

Printing Tips:

Print at 0.16mm or smaller for the bearing surfaces

100% infill is suggested for the handles

PLA+ or PETG will perform best for strength

Print several sets of pins since these are the parts most likely to wear

Light sanding and good break-in significantly enhances action

I like to find this to be the ultimate desk fidget. The free, rhythmical movement of balisong play is strangely soothing, and the learning curve of simple tricks gives a sense of satisfying accomplishment.

4. The OTF Fidget Knife: Mechanical Wizardry

The OTF Fidget Knife is a wonder of minimalist design. Made from only three printed parts, this model mimics the pleasing motion of an out-the-front automatic knife, but in fully safe form.

My favorite thing about this design is the elegant simplicity of it. The action works because of intelligent geometry instead of sophisticated assembly, making it an extremely reliable motion that can handle hundreds of cycles.

Printing Tips:

Print blade flat on bed for ultimate strength

0.2mm layer thickness is perfectly acceptable

40% infill for good weight and toughness

PLA is good enough, but PETG will give you a smoother motion

A dusting of dry lubricant (graphite powder) makes the movement even smoother

This is my most frequently used rapid print when explaining 3D printing to visitors. It prints rapidly, comes together in seconds, and the gliding motion never fails to amaze.

5. 3D Printed Poker Chips: Game Night Upgrade

These 3D Printed Poker Chips revolutionized my game nights. Although they cannot exactly match the weight and sensation of clay poker chips, they provide something in return: customizability and personality.

Why are these special is that they can be printed on regular FDM machines but still retain the pleasing stackability and handling features that make poker chips fun to handle.

Tips for Printing:

Print with multiple colored filaments for various denominations

Attempt a change to filament at 50% to make two-tone chips

Print at 0.2mm with 30% infill for an optimal mix of weight and print time

PLA is fine, but PETG gives a slightly better tactile touch

You might try placing small washers inside during printing (halt at 50%) for extra weight

I've also printed a few sets in custom colors to fit various game themes. For board game nights, using themed poker chips as game currency provides a great tactile experience that digital scoring simply can't provide.

6. Spirography Set: Mathematical Beauty

The 3D Printed Spirography Set modernizes a vintage drawing toy with superior designs and limitless pattern potential. This beautiful collection of geometric drawing instruments produces mind-blowing mathematical patterns with nothing more than a pen and paper.

How this print is unique is in the way that it brings art, mathematics, and the high precision of 3D printing together in a single educational yet fun package.

Printing Tips:

Print at 0.16mm or thinner for smooth gear action

20% infill is enough

PLA prints flawlessly

Print gears in multiple colors to make pattern creation easier

Light sanding of the gear teeth enhances function

I've discovered this to be a wonderful gift for kids and adults alike. There's something calming about making spirograph patterns, and the output is truly frame-worthy. The ability to design and print custom gears to make one-of-a-kind patterns is an added level of creativity.

Why These Prints Reign Supreme

So why are these six so unique? They all have the following in common:

Mechanical Function: All exhibit movement or mechanical concepts

Self-Contained: They need little to no extra hardware

Approachable: They print easily on typical FDM printers with no unusual settings

Impressive Results: They truly impress makers and non-makers alike

Practical Usability: They're not display items—they have a purpose

While there are definitely flashier or more intricate prints out there, these six never fail to give me that perfect combination of printability and "wow." They're the prints I come back to again and again when I want to have fun with what my 3D printer can do without spending a week on a project.

The Joy of Functional Prints

What I appreciate most about this book is how they demonstrate the special capabilities of 3D printing. These are not just inert models—these are working objects with working parts, fine tolerances, and innovative mechanisms.

The reality that a household 3D printer can generate functional mechanical machines—from puzzle boxes with complex locking systems to frictionless fidget toys—still surprises me despite years of experience with printing.

For beginners, these prints provide easy success with stunning results. For old timers, they bring back the reasons we loved 3D printing in the first place: the power to turn digital ideas into physical form with the touch of a button.

What are your go-to functional prints? Have you made any changes to these prints? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Happy printing!