Inside: If you’ve got an energetic kid, these gross-motor learning activities are going to be your best friend to getting your kiddo to learn shapes with ease.
H ey hey, fellow preschool moms, I’ve got something for you.
If you want to set your kid up with a solid math foundation so when they get older they can tackle complex topics like symmetry and measurement…
And help them develop visual-spatial skills so they are building real-life skills like map reading and problem-solving…
AND give them a head start on understanding spatial relationships to talk about space and position…
You need to incorporate shape activities in your preschooler’s playtime!
(Plus, these shape activities are one of the best ways to show your kiddo that learning is FUN. WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!)
With the right activities, even the most energetic preschooler will stay engaged.
How?
Because these activities are designed to be a FULL-BODY learning experience.
By weaving learning with gross-motor games, we’re leveraging your kid’s energy instead of trying to make them sit still.
Let’s dive in ⇣
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Table of Contents
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Materials You’ll Need
Shape learning cards with watercolor images of real-world objects
Here’s what you’ll need for these shape activities:
- A set of shape flashcards like these 2D watercolor cards or 3D shapes
- Matching shape objects from around your house or these wooden geometric solids
Note: It’s helpful to grab printable versions of the flashcards instead of pre-printed ones because a lot of games require multiple copies of the same cards.
Shape Learning Activities
1 | Shape Twister
Pick out 4-5 shapes and print 5 copies of each one.
Tape the shape flashcards to the floor, with the same shape on the full row. This is your DIY Twister mat.
To play, call out a left/right hand/foot plus a shape.
Your kiddo will put their right limb on the right shape.
This is great for small groups but your kiddo can also have fun playing with you.
2 | Shape Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course with multiple stations.
At each station, set up a shape matching activity which needs to be completed before moving to the next station.
3 | Shape Hunt
Pick out a shape card and go on a hunt — around your house or out on a nature walk — and find matching shapes.
4 | Shape Relay Race
Put a set of shape flashcards on one side of the room or yard, and a set of matching shape objects on the other side.
Have your kid grab one object and run across the match it with the card. Run back and repeat.
Another great game for groups to make it a competition to see who can match them all first.
5 | Shape Detective
Hide a set of shape cards around the room.
Call out a clue about a specific shape, like “I have 3 lines and 3 points. What am I?”
Your kiddo searches the room til they find the target shape.
Over To You
If you want your child to master shapes and build a strong math foundation, you need to make FUN shape activities a regular part of their playtime.
Grab the set of 2D or 3D card sets (depending on what your kiddo is working on) or create your own cards, to start shape learning.
Next, You’ll Probably Like These…
- Best indoor gross-motor toys to burn energy
- Subscribe to my email for weekly preschooler activity inspiration ✨
- Read the rest of my blog. It’s home to lots of play & learn activities, arts & crafts projects, activities to build your kiddo’s cognitive skills, and Montessori activity ideas and info.
- Shop my printable play-based learning activities