Interactive Toy Camera (fully 3D printable)
Print Profile(3)
Bill of Materials
Description
Boost Me (for free)
If you like this model, I’d really appreciate a boost – thank you!
Update V2.0:
I’ve updated the toy camera. The shutter button now uses a mechanical keyboard switch (MX-style), so the shutter makes a real “click!” when pressed, inspired by my daughter, who always said “click” anyway.
Because of this, the back plate and body has been slightly redesigned to hold the switch.
There are also now two body versions:
• Standard body
• Body with two side loops for attaching a strap or wrist loop
Everything else works as before, including the rotating lens with click feedback.
This toy camera is my first more complex 3D model and was created as a personal challenge. I designed it after my two-year-old daughter loved playing with a toy camera at a friend’s house, which inspired me to create a printable camera of my own.
The camera is almost entirely 3D printable and designed with simplicity and customization in mind.
Features
- a printable push button shutter
- a rotating lens with click feedback
- a simple but robust mechanical design suitable for everyday play
- full color customization, allowing you to personalize the look
The model includes two interchangeable lens designs:
- a short “pancake-style” lens, inspired by compact camera lenses
- a longer lens, loosely inspired by a classic 50 mm look
Both lenses are fully printable and change the appearance of the camera, adding extra variety and encouraging imaginative play.
Spring for the Shutter Button
The shutter button uses a small compression spring.
I designed a printable spring for this purpose, but it is relatively difficult to print reliably, which is why it is provided as a separate printable profile.
As an alternative, you can simply use a spring from a standard ballpoint pen, shortened to approximately 15 mm, which works very well.
Bearings for the Lens
The rotating lens is designed for 608 ball bearings.
I personally used 3D printed 608 bearings only, which work perfectly for this application.
I used the following printed bearing design from Jerryie:
https://makerworld.com/de/models/37413-print-in-place-bearings#profileId-1370391
Assembly:
I’ve included photos showing the assembly process to make putting the camera together, but it's not particularly difficult.
Final Notes
The camera does not take real photos, but it encourages imaginative play, role play, and hands-on exploration.
A fun toy for young kids, a rewarding design challenge, and a great project for anyone interested in printable mechanisms.
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
Comment & Rating (45)