I'm kind of tired of buying sets of round cutters only to have them distort and become egg/oval shaped with minimal pressure. I try to take good care of my cutters, but my circle ones always get, quite literally, bent out of shape. Do you any of you have circle cutters you like that aren't lightweight aluminum? And -- are there any circle cutter sets in existence that my 3 year old can use that won't bend?

I can't help you with real designated cookie cutters, but we just use cups in our house. We have all different sizes and they're very sturdy. A plastic cup would be good for your little one to use. My kids love to cook with me, too!

i like the biscut cutters, they have handles and seem to be more durable than the round cookie cutters i've found

I have a set of Ateco cutters that have held their shape for years, even when all the neighborhood kids come over to make cookies with my daughters.

I second the Ateco cutters, they come in little tins so they are easy to store as well. They can be a little more expensive than other cutters but they will last you forever.

I second leily's answer, check out KAF biscuit cutters, the only problem is the range of sizes in biscuit cutter is kindda limited, for example , they handle only 4 sizes of round biscuit cutter, I only have 1 Ateco round cutter and I believe is very well constructed, stainless steel and the top of the cutter, the panrt they bend so you dont hurt yourself, I think helps to make it more sturdy.

If your can opener leaves the surfaces all smooth you could use empty cans open at both ends--again not a lot of shapes to choose from but...

Shot glasses might be good for small cutters.

The sturdiest circle cutters are plastic - enter "plastic round cookie cutters" on Amazon. They have a good selection, different prices.

I have 2 sets that I love.

One is a nice set that is regular circles on one side and crinkled on the other. They nest into each other. Very sturdy.

As far as the one for kids I have a set by Cuisipro they are called snap fit meaning they snap togeter for easy storage. These are wonderful for children(I love them too) They make several sets of these snapfit cutters.

Kitchengifts.com has two sets of these the sailboats and train sets.

Wow -- thank you all so much for the replies! I am going shopping....

late reply for you... I bought those really heavy duty food shapers, I cant remember what they are called, but restaurants use them to shape the rice and potatoes etc into a cylinder on your plate and they are fantastic as cutters.