Have a big kid at home? Me too! This Kindergarten shape build is a hands-on activity to explore shapes and have fun. No need to walk in circles with kids at home. Save this idea for your next rainy or summer day at home with kids.
How do you explain shapes in Kindergarten?
The best way to explain shapes to your kindergartener is by inviting them into your everyday conversations. Some ways to explore shapes are:
- Chatting about the names of shapes
- Connecting dots to make shapes
- Finding shapes in the environment (indoors and outside)
- Recognizing sides and vertices in a shape
- Touching different shapes
- Touching the faces of 3D shapes
You can find many shapes examples in your home for your child to explore! Just take a walk around, and you will be surprised how many turn up.
RELATED: Looking for activities for 5-7-year-olds? I made this list of Kindergarten activities that you will love! We even have them written on BIG KID activity cards so you have ideas in a flash.
This shape activity includes 2D and 3D shapes.
I wanted my six-year-old to have both in front of him so he could begin making comparisons.
I also wanted to allow this activity to be child-led. To do so, I added magnetic tiles for him to explore before putting together the 3D shape with play dough and craft sticks.
RELATED: Want an entire collection of kid activities for the home? I love this list.
How do you teach 3D shapes in Kindergarten?
The best way to teach 3D shapes in Kindergarten is to build them. When children begin to build 3D shapes, they can better understand how the different faces and corners come together to make a complete solid figure.
We want Kindergarteners to correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size. We also want Kindergarteners to analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes.
Children are to recognize the number of sides and vertices/corners. When my six-year-old finished building his shape, he counted the sides and vertices and marked them on a sticky note.
Here, with this kindergarten shape build, we ask our child to model shapes in the world by building shapes from popsicle sticks and playdough.
RELATED: Working with playdough is a fantastic way to improve pencil grip. Read about the ages and stages of pencil grip.
Setting up Kindergarten shape build
Setting up this shape activity took a few minutes. I checked the cabinet for some fresh playdough (good news, I found some!) and then gathered our jumbo craft sticks from the art cart.
Some craft sticks had stickers from previous activities, and that is okay. If you have some already in your stash, use them!
Simple supplies
Remember, we like to keep supplies simple. Once you finish this shape activity, try cutting the playdough or using the craft sticks for color memory match!
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Items to use from the house:
Craft Sticks
We use craft sticks for this math activity and also for art activities. Grab a box, and you’re set for many easy ideas for kids.
Play-Doh
Do we love Play-Doh? Yes. It has entertained my children for hours! Do I make my own? I do not. If you also want to grab and go, here’s a link!
Observations as my kindergartner built
It was up to my six-year-old which shapes to build and how to assemble them. And he did great! He explored the 3D shapes around him and then began to build.
I would also begin to build shapes with my preschooler this way to help begin exposure to 2D and 3D shapes.
Having great math toys at home helps build creative young minds! Try this Kindergarten shape activity today!
Big Kid Activity Cards
Because our big kids crave hands-on learning, too!
20 hands-on activities for ages 5.5-8 years old.
FAQ
Shapes are everywhere! It’s never too soon to start talking to your toddler and preschooler about the shapes around them. Begin the conversation by discussing what shapes they see at home, at the playground or even out of the car window. Use these activities for kids to inspire play and learning at home.
There are so many different ways to develop shape recognition for preschoolers. From crafts, to building, to sensory, there’s something for every preschooler’s interest, preference, and learning style. Here are 20 shape activities for preschool.
I compiled this list of 50 math activities for preschoolers and divided the ideas into five categories: counting, graphing, measuring, shapes, and sorting.
