Playdough Cookie Cutter Press Play

Playdough (store-bought or homemade)

Cookie cutters in various shapes

A child-safe rolling pin

A plastic fork and butter knife

Set out a big ball of playdough on a clean surface or plastic placemat.

Lay out cookie cutters, a rolling pin, and a few plastic utensils.

Show your toddler how to flatten the dough — pressing with flat hands or rolling with the pin.

Press a cookie cutter into the flat dough and pop out the shape with a satisfying push.

Encourage your toddler to roll, flatten, cut, and peel out shapes independently.

Use the fork to make polka-dot patterns and the knife to draw lines.

Let imagination take over — stacking, combining shapes, and building playdough structures.

Squeezing and rolling playdough is one of the best hand-strengthening activities for this age. Occupational therapists recommend it constantly.

If your toddler struggles with the rolling pin, show them how to press the dough flat with both palms — it's easier and still builds the same muscles.

Homemade playdough is cheaper and you can add scents (vanilla, peppermint extract) for an olfactory bonus.

Hide small toys inside playdough balls for a surprise unwrapping challenge.

Rotating cookie cutters in their hand to position them builds in-hand manipulation — a skill needed for holding and adjusting pencils later.