Thank you for visiting! This post might contain affiliate links. Read disclosure here.
Inside: How to Teach Shape Recognition to Preschoolers with Fun Activities with Free Printable
One of the areas we have to cover in our preschool assessments is shapes. I am always looking for ways to build shape recognition skills, but I want them to be playful and authentically blend in with our other hands-on activities.
I decided to put together my own collection of shape recognition activities by doing a little searching.
After weeding out the results, I came up with over 16 ideas that I knew would be perfect. Not only are they fun, but they involve building other skills, too. I always love that!
So put away those flashcards, my friends. These fun activities will help your preschoolers learn to identify circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and ovals.
👉 Bonus! I created a shape matching activity printable for your children. Scroll towards the bottom of this post to get the download.
How to Teach Shape Recognition to Preschoolers with Fun Activities
Please note: Photos for each activity are in the collage below it, starting in the top left corner.
Build shape recognition using toys.
Make circles by painting with spools.
Play a shape game while also recognizing colors.
Make circles with a DIY circle stamper.
Mix colors while stamping circles from paper tubes.
Take apart your nesting toys to stamp shapes with paint.
Make a simple shape collage. (Homegrown Friends)
Go on a shape hunt at the playground (free printable included). (Buggy and Buddy)
Paint with different shapes of foam blocks. (Meri Cherry)
Make a shape puzzle using blocks you already have. (Twodaloo) (ETA: Unfortunately website is no longer running.)
Trace shapes on a chalkboard. (Hands On As We Grow)
Create a fine motor shape bin. (Stir the Wonder)
Make a shape sorting activity from an ice cube tray. (Mess for Less)
Make paper roads in different shapes and trace with cars. (Adventures of Adam)
Play shape hopscotch indoors! (Housing a Forest)
Use colored construction paper to create a train color sorting activity. (Mom Inspired Life)
More shapes activities:
Toddler Triangle Shapes Activity
15 Activities for Teaching Squares
Teaching Circles to Toddlers and Preschoolers
Going on a Circle Hunt Circle Time Activity
Here’s a simple shape matching activity for your children to try today! Click on the photo for the link to the PDF download:
More shape fun for your preschoolers!
These clever little rhymes teach children how to draw the shape and what objects in real life look like that shape.
Along with 8 shape rhymes, you’ll also receive the audio version of the chants and printable shape booklets!
Click here for more information.
FREE CIRCLE TIME PLANNER!
Get your FREE circle time planner as a gift when you subscribe to my free weekly newsletters.
Here is my Privacy Policy
These are great ways to teach shapes and colors. I love how you said in your intro that kids don’t need worksheets or flashcards. I’m a firm believer in hands on learning, especially for our little ones.
Thank you, Amanda! I feel strongly about this. Thank you for reading!
Thanks so much sheiyl for this post I really love it as a preschooler teacher.
I’m happy to hear that! Thank you!