Q: “I found a great deal on plastic cookie cutters at the craft store. What ideas do you have for using these?”

A: Oh, cookie cutters have so many fun uses! Whether it's making cookies, cutting shapes out of dough, or tracing them with markers, you and your kids will have a blast.

Where to Get Them
Cookie cutters are easy to find. They can be purchased at any discount department store or craft store. You may even be able to find them at the grocery store. Very often you will find a package of approximately 100 shapes for under $10!

Tracing, Cutting and Pasting
Pull out the construction paper, scissors and glue and just let your kids create. You'll be amazed at the cute cards, pictures and even shadow boxes they will put together when they can trace shapes instead of drawing them freehand. Show them how to trace several of the same shape on different colored papers, then trim each one a bit smaller than the other. Glue the smaller ones on top of the bigger ones for a fun 3-D effect. You can make greeting cards for any occasion by cutting out traced shapes and gluing to the front of a folded piece of construction paper. Write your message inside and you have an instant greeting!

Baked Creations
You can make yummy themed baked goods that are edible (or not so edible, if you use salt dough!). Bake fun heart shaped cookies and decorate with frosting and sprinkles, or cut shapes out of biscuit or crescent dough for a tasty treat. Make up a batch of salt dough to create a multitude of magnets, paperweights, and pins. After baking the salt dough cut outs, decorate with colorful craft paints and spray with an acrylic sealer.

Play Dough Fun
If your kids like play dough, cutter cutters are a fun way to create many different designs. Simply press the cookie cutter into flattened dough to make whatever your heart desires. Wad the dough up and flatten again to make more.

Another cool way to use cookie cutters is as crayon molds. Presto: old broken crayons are now fun new shapes!

Cookie cutters have more uses than just baking cookies. Next time you see a package in the store, grab it! I guarantee you and your kids will put them to good use.

Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She and her husband live in sunny Nevada with a houseful of kids, dogs and cats. They enjoy traveling in the RV, swimming, and riding their four wheelers.