My Kindergartener was home for the day, and we needed to review 2D shapes. So we grabbed our favorite watercolors for some shape painting to get started. Watercolor shape painting allowed my son to review shapes as he blends colors! It is the perfect kid activity to help pass the time being home together all day.
And don’t fret. If painting isn’t typically your thing, you will love how easy watercolors are to clean up. The best preschool activities are the ones that are fun for your child and enjoyable for you as well.
RELATED: Kindergarten activities are our jam! I created an entire list to use with your five and six-year-old at home.
Painting 2D shapes quickly transformed to shape creatures!
Before making this activity for my six-year-old to review his shapes, I thought of large shapes throughout the page.
But then the lightbulb went off. What if different shapes are combined to make shape creatures? It sure seemed like a win to me.
This activity reminded me a lot of our shape activities we used from the book Mouse Shapes. – another terrific idea!
RELATED: Looking for easy painting ideas? We have lots of them!
Activities on Demand
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List of 2D shapes
- Circle
- Square
- Triangle
- Rhombus
- Hexagon
- Trapezoid
Remember, there is no shame in a quick Google search to remember how to make each shape. It’s been a while since many of us have had to make a hexagon or trapezoid.
Like our fly in your shape activity, we use a combination of shapes learned and new shapes to boost confidence and make room to learn something new.
PRO TIP: A rhombus is what many of us learned to be a diamond. Technically speaking, a diamond is a gem, and a rhombus is a shape. Use this language now with your preschooler to set them up for success!
This activity works for all ages
I knew my four-year-old wouldn’t have the momentum to color in the same amount as my Kindergartener did. So here, I scaled down the picture to review basic shapes.
I labeled each shape to begin to expose him to shape words.
Can my four-year-old read? NO! Not even close, and I won’t rush that. Right now, I am looking to expose him to ideas for him to make deeper connections later. Painting over the words with watercolors gave us a starting place.
RELATED: Have a toddler? Begin with one shape at a time like this color shape and match activity.
How both boys worked on thier watercolor shape painting
As they painted, I watched from the sidelines making casual conversation about the shape they were working on.
Do you remember which 2D shape that is?
That’s right! It is a hexagon. Let’s count the total amount of sides on a hexagon.
One, two, three, four, five, six – that’s right! A hexagon has six sides.
You don’t have to force any conversation. In fact, we talk a lot about this in our online course, WONDER. I will teach you how and when to engage in your child’s learning to keep them focused and thriving.
Supplies
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- Butcher paper or paper grocery bags to cover the table
- White paper roll
- Watercolors – our FAVORITE brand
- A variety of paintbrushes – love a mix of sizes
Set up
PRO TIP: Make watercolor shape painting ahead of time. We can make most activities ahead of time for you to pull out during the lulls of the day. This is one of them!
- Tape down builder’s paper to protect your table. I find this at most home supply stores.
- Next, tape down your white paper. I use painter’s tape.
- Sketch out a few shape creatures. You may be able to use items in your home to trace a few of them!
- Add watercolors and a bowl of water to the side.
- Invite your child to paint as you chat about the different shapes.
ALTERNATIVE IDEA: If you think creatures are too much, make the shapes! Still, a fun way to explore color combinations, improve fine motor strength, and take a closer look at each shape.
When finished, hang it up at eye level to review again.
More ways to play with shapes
We enjoyed this watercolor activity! My Kindergartener and preschooler were engaged and entertained in between the snack requests. – you know how that goes!
FAQ
Give your kid a range of paintbrushes and objects they can press into the paint, primary colors, a place to mix paint, and a large sheet of paper. Sit down with your child and explore different ways of painting together. Here is an article that explains how to paint with kids.
Any age! But typically, from 15 months old is best. You can introduce paint to infants by dipping their fingertips and hands into paint and pressing it onto different textures. Over the age of one is when children will start to be able to hold and manipulate objects to paint.
Begin with the shapes your child already knows and build on one shape at a time.
