Cut Me a Slice

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 20 to 30 minutes
Setup:: 10 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

Cutting a paper plate is harder than cutting paper, so it builds hand strength and a steady helper hand. The pizza game gives your child a reason to cut straight lines and small shapes, and lets them decide how to top each slice.

Steps

Before play, draw two lines across a paper plate, one up and down and one side to side, like a plus sign.
Ask your child to color the middle of the plate red for sauce, leaving the rim as the crust.
Ask your child to cut the plate along one line, then cut each half along the other line to make four slices.
Draw toppings on construction paper, like circles for pepperoni and long strips for peppers.
Ask your child to cut out the toppings.
Let your child glue the toppings onto the slices any way they like.
Put the slices back together and take turns serving the pizza.

Safety tip: Stay close while your child cuts, and keep the blades pointed away from the body. The paper pizza is for pretend play, not for eating.

Make it easier

Use a thin paper plate, or cut a circle of construction paper instead.
Draw the toppings as big squares and rectangles with straight sides.
Cut the plate in half only and decorate two big slices.

Make it harder

Cut the pizza into eight slices.
Draw small circles for olives and ask your child to cut them out.
Ask your child to make a pizza that matches yours, topping by topping.

What to watch for

Notice whether the helper hand turns the plate as the cut goes across.
Watch how your child cuts the circles, by turning the paper or by turning the scissors.
See if your child's hand tires on the stiff plate. Short rests can help.

Where this helps in daily life

Cutting thick paper builds the strength used for cardboard crafts and opening packages. Pretend cooking also builds the planning used to help make a snack.