You have a drawing that's too special for the drawer, and while googling you discovered there are actually several providers who can turn it into something real: plush toys, collectible figures, paint-it-yourself figures, even large-format art pieces. But which path fits your family?
Here's the honest overview, including the providers we genuinely respect ourselves. Because the truth is: everyone here does good work. The difference comes down to what ends up in your home and who got to shape it.
Key Takeaways
- Three paths: a plush toy (soft, finished), a collectible figure (detailed, finished), or a paint-it-yourself figure (your child helps make it).
- German providers ship without customs and with short delivery times; international plush toy services start around $100 plus shipping.
- The biggest difference is how hands-on it is: only a white paint-it-yourself figure lets your child experience their creation three times over: dreaming it up, drawing it, and painting it themselves.
- DoodlHero: €39 complete with paints, brushes, and a free 3D preview in 2 to 5 minutes.
Providers at a glance
| Provider | Result | Paint it yourself? | Made in | Price (as of 08/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DoodlHero | Paint-it-yourself figure (12 to 15 cm) + 6 paints + 2 brushes | Yes | Germany | €39 complete |
| doolydoo | finished 3D figure | No | Germany | see website |
| 3D Memories | finished 3D figure, preview beforehand | No | Germany | see website |
| cmook "Kids' Art 3D" | large-format 3D art piece (up to 32x32 cm) | No | Germany | from €379 |
| Budsies | plush toy from the drawing | No | international | from around $100 + shipping/customs |
| Petsies | plush toy (mostly pets) | No | international | from around $150 + shipping/customs |
The providers, in brief
DoodlHero: the figure your child finishes themselves
Our approach: the drawing gets turned into a 3D model by our artists (free preview after 2 to 5 minutes, you only pay after approving it), made in Germany from biodegradable material, and arrives at your door white, with 6 water-based acrylic paints and 2 brushes. The painting afternoon is part of the product. €39 complete, bundles: 2 figures for €69, 3 figures for €99. See the full process in our Guide: Turn a Kid's Drawing Into a 3D Figure.
doolydoo: the pioneer
One of the first German providers of figures made from kids' drawings (founded in 2014 in Jena). You get a fully finished figure based on your child's drawing, solid craftsmanship backed by years of experience. Check current prices and sizes on their website.
3D Memories: with preview and gallery
A provider from Augsburg with a similar concept: send in the drawing, get a preview, receive the finished figure. A large gallery of past customer drawings shows what's possible. Prices vary by size, see their website.
cmook "Kids' Art 3D": the art piece
A different league entirely: large-format 3D reliefs and objects made from kids' drawings (up to 32x32 cm and multi-piece formats), with options from freestanding to framed, more wall art than toy, starting at €379. Gorgeous for the living room, meant for looking at rather than playing with.
Budsies and Petsies: the classic American plush toys
The best-known international providers turn drawings into plush toys (Petsies mostly does pet portraits). Cuddly and lovingly made, but starting around $100 or $150 plus international shipping, sometimes customs fees, and longer delivery times to reach you.
Which provider is right for your family?
- You want something cuddly: Budsies (budget for shipping and customs).
- You want a finished collectible for the shelf: doolydoo or 3D Memories.
- You want wall art with a wow factor and the budget for it: cmook.
- You want your child to finish their own creation, for play, for gifting, and for pride: DoodlHero. The painting afternoon is the part no finished product can deliver; it turns the purchase into a family moment. (Here's why that makes it such a great gift for grandparents.)
FAQ
Where can you get kids' drawings turned into 3D figures?
In Germany: DoodlHero (paint-it-yourself figure, €39 complete), doolydoo and 3D Memories (finished figures), and cmook (large-format art pieces). Internationally, Budsies and Petsies offer plush toy versions.
What does it cost to turn a kid's drawing into a figure?
From €39 (DoodlHero's complete set including paints and brushes) to three-digit amounts for plush toy and collectible figure providers, up to €379+ for large-format art pieces. For a detailed breakdown, see What does a 3D figure cost?
Finished figure or paint-it-yourself figure, which is better?
Depends on your goal. A finished figure is a lovely collectible. A white paint-it-yourself figure is an experience: your child invented the character, drew it, AND painted it, and that's exactly the story they'll tell every visitor. For kids between 3 and 10, getting to help is almost always the bigger magic.
How does it work, do I need to prepare anything?
No. A phone photo of the drawing is enough for every provider listed here. With DoodlHero, you'll see a free 3D preview within 2 to 5 minutes and decide from there.
Are there any risks with international providers?
No quality risks, but some convenience ones: international shipping (1 to 3 weeks), possible customs fees, English-language support, and prices in US dollars. German providers deliver within days with no surprises.
Bottom line: there's no wrong path, just the right fit
Every drawing you turn into something beats the drawer. If you want a finished keepsake, Germany has solid options. If you want to give your child the whole experience, inventing, drawing, holding it in their hands, painting it themselves, we're the right fit.
Give it a no-strings-attached try: upload a drawing at doodlhero.com, see the free 3D preview in 2 to 5 minutes, and decide from there.
