Into the Third Dimension: 3D Printing for Young Artists is on view in the Children's Museum of the Arts' lobby through this Sunday, January 11. Though it may be small, it's about a really huge subject, 3D printing, which is revolutionizing our entire world, from manufacturing to medicine to the military. To introduce young kids to the 3D printing process, CMA partnered with 3DP4E (3D Printing for Everyone) and its new Kids Creation Station for this exhibit featuring 3D printed sculptures of children's drawings from the museum's permanent collection. My daughter loved comparing the original 2D works to their 3D renderings. She put her face up to every case so she could see all the details (since they're delicate, all of the statues are safely ensconced behind glass). There's also a short documentary about how 3D printing works, though sadly, no actual 3D printer in action.

In conjunction with the exhibit, CMA is hosting a cute Clay Bar workshop this Saturday where kids can make an illustration and turn it into a 3D clay creation. But let's face it, that's nowhere near as cool as having your artwork print out as a little figurine. However, that's still a possibility—if you're willing to splurge. Kids Creation Station allows you to upload your child's artwork online and in a few weeks, you'll receive a 3D printed version displayed in a colorful diorama. Currently the cost is $100, which is quite an investment, though still a lot less than buying your own 3D printer. If that's too pricey for you, enter your child's name into CMA's lottery and hope your kid is one of the 20 picked to have their artwork turned into 3D creations for free.

Into the Third Dimension: 3D Printing for Young Artists is on view through Sunday, January 11 at the Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton Street between Hudson and Greenwich Streets. Admission is $11.