Inside: How to Teach Shape Recognition to Preschoolers with Fun Activities
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 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)
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.
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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!