Show Objects Placed on Tinkercad Workplane - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Show Objects Placed on Tinkercad Workplane

Use Tinkercad to place and arrange shapes on the workplane, adjust size and color, and export or screenshot your finished design.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to place objects on a Tinkercad workplane

What you need

Tinkercad account, mouse or trackpad, adult supervision required

Step 1

Go to Tinkercad.com and sign in to your account.

Step 2

Click "Create new design" to open a blank workplane.

Step 3

Drag one shape from the Shapes panel onto the workplane.

Step 4

Drag two or three different shapes from the Shapes panel onto the workplane.

Step 5

Click one shape once to select it.

Step 6

Resize the selected shape by dragging a white corner handle to change its size.

Step 7

Change the color of the selected shape by clicking the color swatch and picking a color.

Step 8

Move a shape by dragging it to a new spot on the workplane.

Step 9

Hold Shift and click each shape you want to select to choose multiple shapes.

Step 10

Click the Align button in the top toolbar to line your selected shapes up.

Step 11

Click the Group button to combine the selected shapes into one object.

Step 12

Click the design name at the top of the screen to start renaming it.

Step 13

Type a new name for your design and press Enter to save it.

Step 14

Click Export and choose PNG image or STL file to save a copy of your design to your computer.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use if we can't sign in to Tinkercad or Tinkercad.com is blocked?

If you can't access Tinkercad.com or create an account, use a free alternative like 3D Slash or BlocksCAD to drag shapes, resize, recolor, group, and export similar to the steps here.

I'm trying to group shapes but the Group button won't work—what did I miss?

If Group or Align won't work, make sure you've selected more than one shape by holding Shift while clicking each shape as described, then click Align and Group in the top toolbar.

How can I change the activity for a younger child or make it more challenging for older kids?

For younger kids (3–6), simplify by dragging a single shape, changing its color, and renaming the design, while older kids (10+) can add two or three different shapes, use Align and Group, and export an STL for 3D printing.

How can we make the final design more unique before exporting and sharing on DIY.org?

Personalize your design by resizing with the white corner handles for new proportions, changing color swatches, aligning and grouping shapes into a character or object, renaming the file, and exporting a PNG or STL to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to place objects on a Tinkercad workplane

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25. New Tinkercad - Returning Objects Flat on the Workplane

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Facts about 3D design and Tinkercad for kids

🖥️ Tinkercad is a free, browser-based 3D design tool that's popular in classrooms for teaching beginners.

🤝 Autodesk acquired Tinkercad in 2013, connecting it to a suite of professional CAD tools.

🧩 Tinkercad builds complex models from simple "basic shapes" you can resize, rotate, color, and group.

🖨️ You can export Tinkercad designs as STL or OBJ files for 3D printing or capture them with screenshots.

🎮 Tinkercad also includes Codeblocks and Circuits so kids can explore coding and electronics alongside 3D design.

How do I place and arrange shapes on the Tinkercad workplane?

To place and arrange shapes on the Tinkercad workplane, sign in and start a new design, then drag shapes from the Basic Shapes panel onto the workplane. Use arrows and on-screen handles to move, rotate, and resize objects. Change color in the Shape panel, use Align and Group to combine parts, and add text or holes for cutouts. When finished, use Export to save or take a screenshot to share your design.

What materials do I need to use Tinkercad for this activity?

Materials needed: a computer or tablet with a modern web browser, reliable internet, and a free Tinkercad account. A mouse or stylus makes arranging shapes easier, and a keyboard helps with naming and shortcuts. Optional: a second device or camera for screenshots, and a 3D printer or printing service if you want to print your model. Adult supervision is recommended for account setup and file exports.

What ages is using Tinkercad suitable for?

Suitable ages: Tinkercad is accessible to children around 8 years and up; ages 8–12 are ideal for guided projects, and 12+ can handle more complex designs independently. Younger children (5–7) can participate with adult help to drag shapes and select colors. Consider the child’s fine motor skills and attention span—short, structured tasks work best for younger learners, while older kids can explore longer design challenges and 3D printing.

What are the benefits of placing objects on the Tinkercad workplane?

Benefits: Using Tinkercad builds spatial reasoning, creativity, and basic CAD skills—great for STEM learning. Kids practice measuring, scaling, problem-solving, and sequencing while improving fine motor control and computer literacy. Designing then exporting or screenshotting encourages sharing, feedback, and iterative improvement. It’s also an accessible first step toward 3D printing. For online safety, supervise account setup and teach children not to share personal information when publishing

Ready to create?