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Activities for Kids on Recognizing Shapes by Appearance

One of the best ways to teach children about shapes is with hands-on activities. Activities that allow children to look at the shapes will help them to better understand each shape̵7;s appearance. All you need are a few supplies to create shape activities that will keep children interested. Entice children to try their best by awarding shape-themed puzzles, coloring books and stickers to activity winners or for a job well done.

Sponge Activities
- Cut sponges into shapes and give each child a set of shape sponges. The children can use paint to dip the sponges in and press onto a sheet of paper. Ask the children to tell you what each shape is on the paper. If she answers each one correctly, award her with a small prize. Tell the children to use their imaginations and try to create pictures using the sponges. For example, they can stamp a square with a triangle on top to create a house or a circle with triangles all around to create the sun.
Memory Activities
- Use shape flashcards to play a game of memory. Use two sets so that there are two of each shape and color. Place the cards face down on a table and select one child to flip over two cards. If he flips over two matching cards, he keeps the cards. If they do not match, the next player flips over two cards. The player who has the most matches at the end of the game wins. Alternatively, tape five or six of the cards on the chalkboard and have the children look closely at the cards. Ask the children to close their eyes, and then remove one card. The player who identifies the missing shape first wins the game.
Tossing Activities
- Draw shapes on the bottom of a cardboard box. Cut the shapes out and lean the box against a wall. Have the children try to toss shape beanbags through the corresponding holes. For example, they must toss the circle beanbags through the circle hole. Another idea is to cut shapes out of construction paper and tape the shapes to the floor. Have the children toss the correct beanbag shape onto the corresponding shape on the floor.
Hunt Activities
- Hide paper or cardboard shapes around the room. Call out a shape, such as a rectangle, and have the children walk around the room looking for a rectangle. Each child who finds a rectangle wins a small prize. Make the game more difficult by calling out one or two shapes at a time. The children must remember each shape and bring them all back in order to win a prize. Alternatively, add colors with the shapes. Call out ̶0;blue circle̶1; or ̶0;red triangle̶1; and have the children search for the corresponding shapes.

Kids Games