Know children/students that love to build and design? Connecting them to today’s most popular software can help to unleash their creativity and launch them into important skill building!
Consider one of these four popular apps/software to expand their imagination:
source: minecraft.net
Minecraft is one of the most popular 3D building platforms for kids today. It provides a user-friendly interface and allows for extensive creativity through unlimited worldbuilding. The platform allows for anti-gravity construction, where students can create floating cities.
The player experience offers many modes, including Single/Multiplayer, Creative/Survival/Adventure modes, each with their own set of parameters for endless options. Minecraft also has an educational version, which provides interactive learning activities, coding exercises, and a multiplayer mode that supports up to 30 students at once.
Pricing varies per platform, and it is available across multiple devices (PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, tablets, etc.). It is rated for ages 10 and older, with parental controls available.
For a more industry-standard approach to 3D modeling, SketchUp has a free online version, which allows children ages 10 and up to create within real parameters of the built environment. It is both intuitive and user-friendly, with makes the program’s basic tools easy to understand. SketchUp has existed for over 20 years and has a wealth of available online resources and tutorials.
SketchUp provides the ability to use pre-set yet customizable materials, textures, objects, site elements, and even people. The ‘Styles’ tool enables realistic visuals, including geo-location for accurate site context and sun/shadow application. A large selection of additional plug-ins are also available to facilitate dynamic modeling, intuitive roof modeling, lighting, photo-realistic renderings, and more.
There is also an educational version of the program available for schools (for a cost) on the SketchUp website.
source: tinkercad
TinkerCad is a software supported by the architectural industry and was developed by Autodesk (the creator of AutoCAD). It is a free web-based program rated for ages 9 through 12, and a robust educational platform that can be used for personal or educational purposes. Students can create 3D models and product designs within a simple workflow for 3D printing. Once a project is designed in 3D, the design can come to life with block-based coding, allowing for dynamic, parametric, and adaptive designs.
SolidWorks is an ecosystem of apps that breaks down design and engineering processes into bite-sized tools to create, style, and engineer a concept. The program is tailored to give young thinkers (ages 4 and up) the tools to create 3D models. The various in-app tools allow kids to design with intuitive modeling tools, add color, stickers, backgrounds, etc.
These programs and apps can be useful tools for developing and understanding 3D spatial awareness for children. Check them out and discover a new world of possibilities that bring imagination to life!