5 uses for Cookie Cutters Metal and plastic dough and cookie cutters are a fun and versatile item for craft and early learning activities. Stencil - use pencils, crayons etc to make pictures on paper or card. Stamp – with paint  dip cutter into paint on a plate or use paint brush to paint onto bottom of cutter, then press onto paper or card. Stamp – with ink pad press cutter onto stamp pad then onto paper or card to make patterns. Stamp – with glue & glitter press cutter into glue (PVA works well ) on a plate or meat tray then press cutter onto paper or card, then sprinkle with glitter. Print Maker Use old meat trays and cookie cutters to make rubbing boards. Wash a dry meat tray, cut off raised edge to create a flat piece of foam.  Press cookie cutter into tray to form an impression (metal cutters work best for this). Now place a piece of paper over the tray. Use a crayon to rub over paper to make a “rubbing” of the impression. CD Spinning Top The idea for this simple & effective spinning top came from my eight year old son. All you need is an old CD and Acorn & some stickers (optional) hold CD shiny side up - push an acorn pointy end down into the centre hole. Decroate with stickers    Gift Tags:   re-use the front of old Birthday / Christmas cards etc.  Just cut out any shape or size and write on the back.  You can attach tag with tape or punch a hole in the top and thread through a piece of ribbon or string.   You could use pinking shears or decrative craft sissors to cut out your tag or decroate the edges with glitter etc. Door Stop:   fill a plastic drink bottle with stones or sand to make a door stop (hot glue on the lid ) Paint or decrorate the bottle with fabric etc.  Add face, ears and tail to make an animal etc. Piggy Bank:   decorate a plastic bottle with paint &/or fabric, cut a slit in the neck or top of the bottle large enough to drop coins through.  You may need to cut bottom of bottle to release coins when full.     Decorating ideas; add head legs tail etc to make an animal  eg milk bottle lids make short stumpy legs  or old photo canistars for longer legs.  Bottle neck and lid makes a great nose, use bits of cardboard or fabric for ears, googly eyes, cardboard circles or ping pog balls for eyes etc.   Tails can be made from fabric, string, platted wool etc. Outdoor Lanterns:  aluminium and tin cans can be used to make decorative outdoor lanterns.   Making holes:   Fill cans with water and freeze.  Freezing the water in the can allows you to hammer nails into a can to make holes without the can caving in.   Once frozen you can make holes in any pattern you wish.  If you have one, use a vice to hold the can in place while you hammer or drill the holes.    Then let ice melt and put tea light inside ( tea light can be held in place with a little hot glue ).  The light will glow throught the holes.  You can also decorate you cans / tins with paint for added effect.    If you make one hole on each side of the can at the top you can add some wire to make a hanger.  Toy Bag:   Create a colourful toy bag from an old patterned or plain coloured pillowcase.   Simply thread some cord through the top of the pillowcase to create a drawstring.  If using a plain coloured pillowcase you could decorate with maker pen, or with fabric letters etc.        More ideas coming soon!