22 fun shape activities for toddlers and preschool

Teach math through play with these fun shape activities for toddlers and preschoolers. 

 

22 fun shape activities for toddlers and preschool

One area of early learning that we share with our children is teaching them about shapes. Shape activities are so useful and introduce many different skills to our children.

They learn new words, including the names of the shapes but also vocabulary like straight, round and pointy.

They can count how many sides each shape has.

They can start to match similar shapes together, even if they are different sizes or colours, or ones they spot out and about. This builds visual discrimination skills, which are important when children start to read.

Here’s a collection of playful shape activities which are great for toddlers and preschoolers to try. They include lots of play, art and active games, so you can have fun as you learn.

 

Shape activities for children

:: Shape sort in a sensory tub.

:: Print some shapes.

:: Lace shapes.

:: Play a shape matching game.

:: Make a shape discovery basket.

:: Go on a shape hunt.

:: Play shape hopscotch.

:: Thread a shape necklace.

:: Add shape tiles to play dough.

:: Stamp shapes.

:: Bake some shapes.

:: Make your own shape memory game.

:: Make shapes on a geoboard.

:: Go on a shape hunt outdoors.

:: Play the shape feely game.

:: Make art with shapes.

:: Play with shape cookie cutters and cloud dough.

:: Make your own shape stamps.

:: Make a giant DIY shapes puzzle.

:: Make shapes with play dough.

:: Make a DIY shape puzzle with blocks.

:: Try this chalk shapes jumping game.