Preschool Shapes Activities & Games

Shapes are an essential part of our lives; they are all around us and play a significant role in our world. Preschool shape activities and games are important for young learners because they are the building blocks of math and geometry.

Learning about shapes activities for preschoolers can help children better understand their surroundings and give them a foundation for learning more complex math concepts in the future.

Why do preschoolers need to learn shapes?

Shapes are a fundamental skill in preschool math and geometry that helps your child understand the world around them, and shapes are a building block for other math concepts. By understanding shapes, your child can begin to understand patterns, which are essential in solving problems.

What basic shapes should preschoolers know? What are the five basic shapes?

Preschoolers should be familiar with the five basic shapes: square, circle, triangle, rectangle, and oval. Other shapes that are helpful for them to learn are oval, rhombus, heart, star, and diamond. Here are the shapes to teach preschoolers.

1. Circle – A round shape with no corners or edges.
2. Square – A four-sided shape with straight sides and right angles.
3. Triangle – A three-sided shape with straight sides and angles.
4. Rectangle – A four-sided shape with straight sides and four right angles.
5. Star – A five-pointed shape often associated with stars in the sky.
6. Oval – A shape similar to a circle but is longer than wide.
7. Diamond – A four-sided shape with one pair of parallel sides and two sides longer than the other.
8. Heart – A shape associated with love and affection, typically represented by a stylized red heart.

After they master the above shapes, then you can start introducing these:

9. Hexagon – A six-sided shape with straight sides and angles.
10. Pentagon – A five-sided shape with straight sides and angles.
11. Octagon – An eight-sided shape with straight sides and angles.
12. Cylinder – A three-dimensional shape with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface.
13. Cone – A three-dimensional shape with a circular base and a pointed top.
14. Sphere – A three-dimensional shape that is round and symmetrical, similar to a ball.
15. Cross – A shape with four arms or branches of equal length and at right angles to each other.

When should shapes be taught to preschoolers?

You can teach shapes to preschoolers at any time. It is vital to ensure they are developmentally ready to learn about shapes, and this typically happens around the age of three or four. At this age, preschoolers should have a good grasp of basic concepts such as colors and numbers. They should also be able to follow simple instructions and have the fine motor skills necessary to handle small objects.

What are the benefits of teaching shapes to preschoolers?

1. Shapes are the building blocks of all objects in the universe.
2. By teaching shapes to preschoolers, we are allowing them to see the world in a more structured way.
3. Shapes can help preschoolers to understand concepts such as size, quantity, and measurement.
4. Knowing the names and properties of shapes can also help preschoolers to better describe the world around them.
5. Teaching preschoolers to draw shapes can help to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
6. Recognizing shapes can also help preschoolers to understand spatial relationships better.
7. Introducing shapes to preschoolers can also be a fun and engaging way to teach them about colors, patterns, and symmetry.
8. Shapes can help develop problem-solving, logical thinking, and reasoning skills.
9. Learning about shapes can also be a stepping stone to learning more complex math concepts.
10. Shape recognition and understanding can also help preschoolers in their daily lives, such as when trying to puzzle together or identify an object.

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How can shapes be taught to preschoolers?

• Use everyday objects to introduce basic shapes. For example, you can use a plate to teach your child about the circle shape.
• Play shape-themed games with your child. There are many different games that you can play that will help your child to learn about shapes.
• Use worksheets or flashcards to introduce shapes to your child. You can also use these tools to help your child to review what they have learned.
• Make shapes with blocks or other manipulatives. This is a great way to help your child to understand how you and your child can put shapes together to create larger structures.
• Have your child draw or paint different shapes. This is a great way to help them to develop their fine motor skills.
• Read shape-themed books together. Many excellent books introduce shapes to children in a fun and engaging way.
• Use music and movement to teach shapes. This is a great way to help your child to learn about shapes while also getting some exercise.
• Visit a local museum or art gallery. Many museums and galleries have exhibits that focus on shapes. This can be a great way to introduce your child to different shapes worldwide.
• Take a nature walk and look for shapes in the environment. This is a great way to help your child see how shapes are around us.
• Use technology to teach shapes. Many great apps, websites, and videos can help your child learn about shapes.

Fun preschool shapes activities that promote learning. Shapes activities for preschoolers they will love.

Use everyday objects to help your child identify shapes.

For example, you can point out the rectangular shape of a door or the circular shape of a plate. You can also ask your child to find objects with the same shape as each other, such as two coins or three buttons.

Play I Spy with shapes.

Take turns with your child to spot shapes around you. I Spy game is a great game for this. For example, “I spy with my little eye something that is triangular” or “I spy with my little eye something oval.”

Make shape pictures together.

Encourage your child to use colored crayons, pencils, or paints to make pictures featuring circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, diamonds, stars, and hearts. They could make a picture of a house using only rectangles and squares or a rainbow using only circles.

Use play dough to make shapes.

Show your child how to roll playdough balls into snakes and then press them down to form flat discs. You can also use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes from the play dough. Ask your child to name the shapes as they make them.

Go on a shape hunt around your home or neighborhood.

The shape hunt game is so much for preschoolers. See how many shapes you and your child can find during a walk around the block or while running errands together. Can they spot any circles in the windows of cars or shops? Any squares on signs? Any triangles on rooftops?

Do some simple shape puzzles together.

You can make your shape puzzles by cutting out different shapes from cardboard or using a jigsaw puzzle with shapes instead of pictures. Or you can buy ready-made shape puzzles from toy stores. Ask your child to name the shapes as they put the puzzle together.

Sort objects by shape.

Gather a selection of objects around the house and see if your child can sort them into groups by shape. For example, they could put all the circular things in one pile and all the rectangular objects in another heap.

Play a matching game with shapes.

You will need some cards with shapes (you can make your own or buy a ready-made game). Turn all the cards shape-side down and mix them up. Take turns with your child to turn over two cards at a time. If the shapes on the two cards match, keep the pair and have another turn. If the shapes don’t match, turn the cards back over, and it’s the next person’s turn. The winner is the player with the most matching pairs at the end of the game.

Use shapes to make patterns.

Help your child to make simple patterns using shapes. For example, they could arrange squares, circles, triangles, and diamonds in the following sequence: square, circle, triangle, diamond, square, circle, triangle, and diamond. See if they can continue the pattern or make their designs using different shapes.

Make a collage using different shapes.

Give your child some old magazines or newspapers and some glue or tape. Ask them to cut out different shapes from the pages and then stick them down onto a piece of paper or cardboard to make a collage. They could make a picture of a house, a tree, or anything else they like.

Act out stories with shapes.

You can use toys or natural objects to create simple stories featuring shapes. For example, you could tell the story of “The Three Little Pigs.” Using three toy pigs and three houses made from different materials (e.g., one homemade from squares, one homemade from triangles, and one place made from circles).

Sing shape songs and nursery rhymes together.

There are lots of great songs and nursery rhymes that feature shapes. Here are a few to get you started:

• The Wheels on the Bus – This popular children’s song features several different shapes, including circles (wheels), squares (windows), and rectangles (bus).
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – This classic nursery rhyme features stars, usually drawn as five-pointed shapes.
• BINGO – This much-loved children’s song features a circle (B-I-N-G-O) and a square (the little box).
• The Ants Go Marching – This song features lines (the ants’ legs), circles (their heads), and triangles (their hats).

Read shape books together.

There are lots of great shape books for young children, including the following:

• The Wheels on the Bus: This popular children’s book features several different shapes, including circles (wheels), squares (windows), and rectangles (bus).
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar: This classic children’s book features a caterpillar, usually drawn as a circle, and a butterfly, generally an oval shape.
• The Ant and the Grasshopper: This much-loved children’s book features an ant, usually drawn as an oval shape, and a grasshopper, usually drawn as a rectangle.

Encourage your child to draw shapes.

Please provide your child with paper, pens, or crayons and encourage them to draw different shapes. They could try drawing circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, ovals, and diamonds. Once they have mastered the basic shapes, they could try drawing more complex shapes. A house (rectangle with a triangle roof). A tree (circle with lines for the branches) or a person (two rings for the head and body, two lines for the arms, and two triangles for the legs).

Do some shape puzzles together.

Shape puzzles are a great way to help your child learn about shapes. You can buy ready-made shape puzzles or make your own using pieces of cardboard or card. To do your puzzles, draw or print out different shapes on scraps of paper or cardboard and then cut them out. Your child can then try to match the pieces together to make the shapes.

Play shape bingo.

To play, you will need a bingo card for each player (you can find printable bingo cards online or make your own using pieces of paper or cardboard). Each bingo card should have a selection of different shapes on it. The game aims to cross off all shapes on your bingo card. To play, you need to call out the shapes one by one (e.g., “I’m looking for a rectangle”). The first player to cross off all shapes on their bingo card wins.

Play I Spy with shapes.

To play, one player (the “spy”) chooses an object and then says, “I spy with my little eye something that is…” followed by a description of the object’s shape (e.g., “I spy with my little eye something circular”). The other players then have to guess what the thing is. The first player to correctly guess the object wins the game and becomes the next “spy.”

Make shape collages.

Making shape collages is a great preschool shapes activity. To make a shape collage, you will need some paper or cardboard, glue, and a selection of different shaped objects (such as buttons, beads, pieces of fabric, felt shapes, etc.). Your child can then glue the things onto paper or cardboard to create a collage, and they could try to make patterns with the shapes or glue them down randomly.

Make a shape mobile.

To make a shape mobile, you will need some string or wool, scissors, paper or cardboard, and a selection of different shaped objects (such as buttons, beads, pieces of fabric, felt shapes, etc.). Your child can then cut out the shapes from the paper or cardboard and glue or tie them onto the string or wool, and they could try to make patterns with the shapes or arrange them randomly.

Do some shape mazes.

You can buy ready-made shape mazes or make your own using paper or cardboard. To make your mazes, draw or print out a maze on a piece of paper or cardboard and then cut out the shape of the maze from the center. Your child can then try to guide a small object through the maze without touching the sides.

Play a game of “what’s missing?”

This simple game is a great way to help your child learn about shapes. You will need a selection of different-shaped objects (such as buttons, beads, pieces of fabric, felt shapes, etc.) to play. Place all the things in a pile in the middle of the table. One player then takes an object from the stack and hides it behind their back. The other players then have to guess which thing is missing. The player who guessed correctly gets to hide the next object.

Make a shape puzzle.

Making a shape puzzle is a great way to help your child learn about shapes. You can do your puzzles using pieces of paper or cardboard or buy ready-made puzzles. To do your puzzles, draw or print a picture on paper or cardboard and cut it into pieces. Your child can then try to put the puzzle back together again.

Do some shape tracing.

You will need a piece of paper or cardboard and a selection of different-shaped objects (such as buttons, beads, fabric scraps, felt shapes, etc.). Your child can then trace each object’s edge with a pencil or pen to create a shape outline. They could also try filling the shapes with crayons, paint, or markers.

The Importance of Shapes for Preschoolers

Introducing shapes for preschoolers is not just about the visual recognition of various geometric figures. It’s about laying down the foundation for more complex mathematical concepts and spatial understanding that they will encounter later in life. Recognizing and differentiating between shapes help improve cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, and even communication skills, as children start to describe the world around them using shape names.

Preschool Geometry Activities: Making Learning Fun

Geometry is not just for high schoolers. Preschool geometry activities introduce young learners to the world of shapes and spatial reasoning in ways that are engaging and age-appropriate. For instance, using playdough to mold and create different shapes helps them tangibly understand the properties of each shape. You could also encourage them to build structures with building blocks, helping them understand how different shapes fit together and the concept of balance.

Incorporating Shape Activities for Preschoolers into Everyday Life

There are numerous ways to integrate shape activities for preschoolers into daily routines. During a walk in the park, you can challenge your child to identify the shapes they see around them. Is the playground slide a rectangle? Can they spot a circular manhole cover or a triangular roof?

Another fantastic idea is to set up a shape-themed scavenger hunt at home. List out a few basic shapes for preschool, and have your child go around the house finding items that match each shape. A clock can be an example of a circle, a book for a rectangle, or a slice of pizza for a triangle.

Engaging Shapes Games for Preschoolers

Games are a powerful tool for learning. Shapes games for preschoolers can make the learning process fun and interactive. Memory card games where children need to match shapes, shape bingo, or even digital apps that challenge kids to identify and match shapes are just a few ideas. These games not only teach recognition but also enhance memory, attention, and cognitive speed.

Pre K Shape Activities: Preparing for Kindergarten

As your child nears kindergarten age, pre K shape activities can become a tad more advanced. This might include drawing shapes without a reference, recognizing shapes within other images, or even beginning to understand the concept of symmetry.

Choosing the Right Shapes to Teach Preschoolers

While it’s essential to start with the basic shapes, as they grow, introducing a wider variety of shapes helps them to understand the diverse world around them. The more shapes to teach preschoolers, the better equipped they’ll be to describe and understand their surroundings.

Shape Games for Preschoolers

Introducing shapes to preschoolers is more than just a mere academic exercise. It’s a foundational step that aids young minds in recognizing patterns, understanding spatial concepts, and building essential skills for reading, math, and science.

Making this learning process fun and interactive through games can not only enhance retention but also encourage a love for learning. Below are some engaging shape games tailored for preschoolers that will help them identify, understand, and enjoy shapes:

1. Shape Sorting: Provide children with a variety of shapes (either purchased or handmade) and have them sort them into the correct labeled containers. This activity helps in shape recognition and categorization.

2. Shape Hopscotch: Using chalk, draw various shapes on the ground in a hopscotch pattern. Call out a shape, and the child has to hop onto that shape. This game promotes physical activity while reinforcing shape identification.

3. Shape Detective: Hide various shapes around the room and give children a checklist of shapes to find. As they find each shape, they can tick it off their list. This enhances observation skills and shape recognition.

4. Shadow Matching: On a sunny day, use toys or objects of different shapes to cast shadows. Have the children match the object to its shadow, teaching them about light, shadow, and shape correlation.

5. Shape Fishing: Attach a paperclip to cardboard cut-out shapes and create a ‘fishing rod’ with a magnet on the end. Children can fish for shapes and identify them as they ‘catch’ them.

6. Playdough Shape Mats: Create or print out mats with shapes on them. Children can then use playdough to trace or fill in the shapes, developing their fine motor skills and shape recognition.

7. Shapes Memory Game: Make pairs of shape cards. Lay them face down and have the children turn over two at a time, trying to find matching pairs. This game improves memory and shape identification.

8. Musical Shapes: Similar to musical chairs, place shape mats or cards on the floor. As music plays, children walk or dance around. When the music stops, call out a shape, and children have to find and stand on that shape.

9. Roll and Draw: Create a dice with different shapes on each side. Children roll the dice and then draw the shape that faces up. This game helps in shape recognition and drawing skills.

10. Shapes Collage: Provide kids with magazines or colored paper and have them cut out shapes. They can then paste them onto a larger sheet to create a shapes collage, encouraging creativity while practicing shape identification.

Integrating these games into your preschooler’s routine can make the world of shapes come alive for them, ensuring they grasp these foundational concepts while having a blast.

How to make preschool shapes activities fun.

Get the kids moving.

The first step to making preschool shapes activities fun is to get the kids moving. Kids are naturally full of energy and often learn best when they are up and moving around. 

So, instead of having them sit at a table and trace shapes, try having them stand up and move their bodies while they identify shapes. You can also have them hop on one foot or run in a circle while they name the shapes they see around them.

Make teaching shapes a game.

Another way to make preschool shapes activities fun is to turn them into a game. There are lots of great shape games that you can play with your kids. You can try a more complex game like “Shape Memory,” where you give your child a list of shapes and see if they can remember them in order.

Use props to teach preschoolers shapes.

Using props is another excellent way to make preschool shapes activities fun. You can use blocks, balls, and hula hoops to help your child learn about shapes. 

For example, you can use blocks to build towers or houses and have your child identify the shapes they see. Or, you can use balls to roll down a hill or across the floor and have your child identify the round shape as it moves.

Get creative with shapes.

Finally, one of the best ways to make preschool shapes activities fun is to get creative. There are endless possibilities when learning about shapes, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. 

You can try using everyday objects to teach about shapes or incorporate music or art into your activities. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making learning fun!

Things to remember when teaching preschool shape activities.

• Please keep it simple: When teaching shapes to preschoolers, it is best to keep the activities and explanations simple. This age group is just beginning to understand the concept of shapes, so too much information at once can be confusing.
• Use everyday objects: Kids learn best when they can relate new concepts to things they are already familiar with. When teaching shapes, use objects around the house or items from nature to help your child visualize the concept.
• Make it fun: Learning should be enjoyable for kids! When teaching shapes, incorporate games, songs, and other hands-on activities to keep your child engaged.
• Repetition is vital: Preschoolers learn best through repetition. When introducing a new shape, review it several times throughout the lesson.
• Be patient: It takes time for preschoolers to master new concepts. Be patient and encouraging when teaching shapes, and praise your child’s efforts.
• Encourage creativity: Once your child has a basic understanding of shapes, encourage them to be creative and experiment with different ways to combine them. This is a great way to foster their problem-solving skills.
• Look for opportunities: There are many chances to teach shapes throughout the day, so be on the lookout for teachable moments. Point out shapes in books, signs, and the world around you to help your child learn to recognize them.

With these tips in mind, you’re sure to be successful when teaching shapes to your preschooler! Just remember to keep it simple, make it fun, and be patient, and before you know it, your child will be a pro at identifying all sorts of shapes.