Safety Scissors for Kids

Standard scissors are long, sharp and pointy---a disaster waiting to happen if kids get their hands on them. Safety scissors are the solution and are in widespread use by young children in classrooms and at home.

Safety scissors often have bright plastic handles to appeal to children.

Characteristics

Safety scissors are short (usually 4 to 5 inches long) and have a blunt tip and dull blades.

Function

Safety scissors are designed to allow children as young as 3 years old to learn how to cut paper without injuring themselves or others.

Types

Safety scissors come in right-handed and left-handed versions. They can be made completely of metal, have a plastic handle or be made of plastic with inset metal blades. The blades are only sharp enough to cut a piece of paper, not skin.

Cost

As of October 2009, safety scissors cost about $2 per pair, or about $15 for a dozen, if you're buying in bulk. Name-brand scissors are more expensive: around $30 per dozen.

Where to Buy

Office supply stores, supermarkets and drugstores all carry safety scissors in their school supplies aisle. Craft stores also carry safety scissors in the kids' arts and crafts section. If you're buying in bulk, it pays to compare prices online first.

References

• Fiskars.com; No. 1 Teacher Recommended Brand

Resources

• Scissors Activities