Learning about shapes is important for children to understand the world around them. At schools, kids learn about shapes: their sides, vertices, names, etc. However, such learning can also start at home with shape-learning games for kids. When children encounter challenges that involve identifying shapes and forms of objects, it contributes to learning and improving motor and sensory skills. It also contributes towards better hand-eye coordination in children from an early age. So, explore the various games listed below to find a suitable one for your children. Read on to know more.
Online Shape Games For Kids
Most kids love computer games. So why not use them to teach your children a bit about shapes?
1. I Love Shapes
Your child can play this game on the PBS website. With Curious George, the monkey from the animated TV series with the same name, your child gets to learn all about basic geometric shapes. This easy, interactive game requires the child to remember the shape displayed at the beginning and help George collect that shape to score points. The game has multiple levels, with each level tougher than the previous one. Try this game online here.
2. Shape Construction
A colorful game to teach children about geometry and symmetry, Shape Construction is similar to match the shapes. It is available on ABCYA.com, an interactive ABC Network website for kids. The objective of the game is to place the correct shape in the right place to complete the construction of the building. The game has multiple levels that get progressively more difficult. Play Shapes Construction online here.
3. Purpy’s Shapes
Purpy’s Shapes is an online interactive matching game in which the child has to make the connection between the geometric shape and everyday objects. The game is realistic and will keep your child busy thinking about the shapes of things they see, even after it ends. Teach your kids to play this game, and in no time they will start noticing the shape of different objects. Try Purpy’s Shapes, online game, here.
4. Shape Lab
Shape Lab is a kids learning shapes game by BBC Bitesize Maths. The game is suitable for older children and requires considerable knowledge about geometric shapes, the number of sides they have and so on. Each time scientist Pablo gives you a hint, and you need to find the right image to help him complete the experiment. The game is attractive with colorful visuals and background sounds. Try BBC Shape Lab game for kids here.
5. Math Under The Sea
Math Under The Sea is an initiative by LearnAlberta.ca to teach children about the concept of 2D and 3D shapes, and also the terminology associated with it. This game is ideal for older kids who are familiar with concepts like sides, edges, faces, and vertices. The game is easy to play and an excellent tool for practicing these concepts. Play Math Under The Sea shapes game here.
2D Shape Learning Activities
2D shapes are basic shapes such as a square, rectangle, circle, and triangle among others. Some activities also include shapes of vegetables, fruits, and other everyday objects. These activities help children remember and identify shapes.
6. Matching the Shapes
You can try this activity by using a color paper or cloth. It needs a little bit of preparation though. You will need:
2 drawing or craft sheets Scissors Pencil or sketch to draw shapes Glue
What to do: This activity is a great way to reinforce what the child has learned at school. What kids learn: Identifying and memorizing shapes This activity is a great way to reinforce what the child has learned at school. What kids learn: Identifying and memorizing shapes This activity is ideal for first graders or kids who have just been introduced to the concepts of geometry. To reduce the preparation time, you can also buy ready-to-use wooden cutouts of different shapes for the activity.
7. Trace and color the shapes
This is a pretty simple activity to help the child memorize shapes. You will need:
A coloring book with geometric shapes or a blank drawing book Pencil and eraser Color pencils or crayons
What to do: What kids learn: Making and identifying shapes
8. Cut the shape
This activity focuses on teaching children about shapes and also enables them to improve hand-eye coordination. You will need:
Craft paper Sketch pens Scissors for the child
What to do: Make sure you are with the children when they are using the scissors for the activity.
9. Bake A Shape
Who wants some cookies? If your child does, he will have to name that shape first! You will need:
Cookie dough mix Cookie cutters
What to do: What kids learn: Identify shapes, make solid shapes using molds
3D Shape Learning Games
Shape recognition and understanding help the child interact with the environment and process visual information (1). Cubes, cuboids, and spheres are three-dimensional shape games for kids with more than one face.
10. Shape Sorting
Is there a difference between a cube and a cuboid? Is an oval the same as a sphere? Some shapes may be similar and confusing for the kids. Here is an activity that enables your kids to differentiate between two shapes. You will need:
Toy blocks Shape sorter (optional)
What to do: What kids learn: Memorizing shapes, identify and describe attributes of shapes
11. Wooden Shapes Puzzle
A puzzle helps in building spatial intelligence and understanding of how shapes fit together. Wooden shape puzzles are ideal for children in primary school. You will need:
1 Puzzle set
What to do: The objective is to get your child to complete the puzzle while naming each shape. The more the child plays, the better she will understand the shapes and remember their characteristics. What kids learn: Memorizing shapes, logic
12. Play With Clay
Clay molds or play-doh boosts creativity and can also be used to make 3D shapes. You will need:
Play-doh or similar clay modeling kit Plastic molds to make shapes
What to do: Use the plastic or metal frames to make 3D patterns like a cube, sphere, stars, tree and more. You can also make these shapes by molding the clay without using the blocks. What kids learn: Making 3D shapes, getting creative
13. Shape flashcards
Flashcards can be an excellent way to test your child’s knowledge and prepare them for a test or exam. Shape flashcards can also be effective for reinforcing a younger child’s learning. You will need: A set of flashcards for geometric shapes – pick the appropriate pack with the child’s knowledge of shapes or geometry. What to do: What kids learn: Memorizing what they learned about shapes or geometry.
14. Shapes We See
This is an activity that you and your child can indulge in every day. You will need: Time, presence of mind What to do: Whenever you look at a new object or vegetable or fruit, ask the child what shape it is. Asking random questions will make this activity more like play and less like a lesson. You can repeat the question about a shape to reinforce what was learned. Understanding shapes is an essential part of early education that helps create a foundation for children to develop their problem-solving skills, math, geometric concepts, and visual discrimination. Although these concepts are taught in school, you may introduce them in the form of shape-learning games for kids at home. Teaching shapes through games and activities will enhance children’s learning, understanding, and memorizing skills from a young age. So, explore games, such as shape construction, matching shapes, and baking a shape suitable for your child’s age. Indulge in the activities with your children and make learning fun for them.
