25+ Cutting Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for more cutting activities for preschoolers? Let’s get started!

Cutting activities for preschoolers just got more fun with these clever ideas.

I know handing over the scissors can be a nerve-racking task. I am here to help bridge the gap to ensure the cutting practice is a little more seamless to introduce.

RELATED: Looking for ideas without searching the web? You will love our activity cards!

Why practice using scissors at home?

Cutting is an essential skill that all children get better at with practice. If we help our children cut and play at home, they enter school with the confidence to take on higher-level tasks. 

RELATED: What do scissor skills have to do with pencil grip? Don’t miss this article on fine motor strength. 

How do you teach your preschooler scissor skills?

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1. Get Blunt-Edged Scissors: Find blunt-edged kid scissors for your child to practice with. We use these scissors here. 
2. Show and Tell: Show your child the scissors and explain what the scissors are used for. “These are scissors. We use scissors to cut paper like this. Would you like to try?”
3. Invite Them: Hand the scissors to your child. If willing, help position the hands. If not willing, try to continue keeping kid scissors available for more practice. You will see improvements in grip over time. 
4. Smiley Face Thumbnail Trick: If your child needs help holding the scissors, place a smiley face on the thumbnail (pictured below) to encourage the thumb to stay up when cutting.
5. Walking with Scissors: Show your child how to walk with scissors and where to put the scissors away after cutting. We like to keep ours in the art cart.
6. Create a Curiosity-Friendly Space: Allow scissors to be accessible. You can set limits or boundaries when using the scissors, but I have found making child-friendly scissors part of the everyday routine helps with cutting curiosity. 
7. Introduce Other Ideas: After practicing cutting paper, begin introducing some of these other ideas listed below.

Supply for all activities: SCISSORS

RELATED: We keep our preschool activities simple. Visit our supply list here. 

Notice the smiley face on the thumb? This smiling face is a great visual for little learners to place their thumb while cutting. You can also mark the thumb with a sticker or nail polish. 

15+ Cutting activities for preschoolers are doable! Let’s start here.

1. Cutting the Grass – Simple Fun for Kids VIP
2. Cut the Spider – LalyMom
3. Cut the Flowers – Days with Grey
4. Cutting and Threading Practice with Straws – Powerful Mothering
5. Cutting Tray – Mama Papa Bubba
6. Cut to the Stars Printable – Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
7. Cut the Lines – Days with Grey
8. Guess the Shapes – Artsy Mama
9. Jello Cut – Nature Store
10. Lavender Cutting for Preschoolers – Teach me, Mommy
11. Leaf Cutting – Hands On As We Grow
12. Lion Puppet Cutting Craft – Toddler Approved
13. Make a Paper Salad: – Mosswood Connections
14. Name Puzzles -How Wee Learn
15. “Painting” with Scissors – Playground Parkbench
16. Playdough Scissor Cut – Mama Papa Bubba
17. Tape Cut and Rescue – Days with Grey
18. Spaghetti Cut – Days with Grey

9 Haircuts to Practice Scissor Skills

*Pictures are in order of the posts listed below from left to right, top to bottom.

1. Baby Doll Haircuts – Happy Toddler Playtime
2. Cardboard Abominable Yeti Scissor Cutting – Hello, Wonderful
3. Construction Paper Hair Trim – Moms and Crafters
4. Grass Hair Salon – Toddler Approved
5. Leprechaun Haircut – Non-Toy Gifts
6. Sheer the Sheep – School Time Snippets
7. Super Hero Grass Pots – Non-Toy Gifts
8. Vampire Haircut – Non-Toy Gifts

When will you begin these clever cutting activities with your kids?