Fun-A-Day!

fun & meaningful learning every day

  • About
    • Terms of Use
    • Printing Help
  • Privacy
  • Newsletter
  • Home
  • Early Learning
    • Preschool Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy
      • Letters & Words
    • Math
    • Music
    • Science
    • Sensory
  • Themes
    • Holidays & Seasons
      • Summer
      • Fall
  • Teacher Tips
  • Free Printables
  • Slime
  • Shop
Home / Early Learning / Math / Simple Preschool Shape Activities

Simple Preschool Shape Activities

Shared by Mary Catherine 4 Comments

Learning about shapes can be done in so many different and engaging ways! Here are a few simple preschool shape activities my students (past and present) have enjoyed.

They center around going on a “shape hunt” with the kiddos – walking around the classroom (and/or school, playground, etc.) and making note of the different shapes that can be found. A sweet and simple math activity children always seem to love.

Preschool Shape Activities that are simple and engaging

Table of Contents

  • preschool shape activities that require little setup
  • Hands-On Preschool Materials
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

preschool shape activities that require little setup

Photo I-Spy
Decide which shape you’re going to look for, then grab a camera and the kids. As they find the correct shape, snap some photos. If possible, let the children help with the photos. While on the lookout for specific shapes, be sure to talk about the characteristics of each shape.

Simple Preschool Shape Activities - go on a shape hunt, then try one of these extensions

Print out the photos, then use them for a variety of additional shape activities – make charts, books, sorting games, or a wall display with them.

Preschool Shape Activities - three easy ideas for teaching children about shapes

Modeled Writing Charts
Grab a large chart, or just some plain paper. Split it into sections, then label each section with a shape. When just starting out, keep it simple and focus on the basics – triangle, square, rectangle, and circle. Write the shape word, then ask the kids to help explain what it looks like. Write down the words the children offer (as long as they make sense, of course). Then let the children draw pictures of items that are each shape – so a child might draw a picture of a clock in the circle section. Label each child’s drawing. Then the chart can be hung up and used as a reference!

Easy preschool shape activities - simple ideas for helping kids learn about shapes

Homemade Books
I always enjoy making books with the children, both individual books and whole class books. Staple some paper together, then write, “I see a (shape).” on each page. The children can illustrate each page with items that are that shape. If the book needs to be even simpler, help the kids draw each shape on the correct page.

Preschool Shape Activities - simple extensions for a shape hunt

Do you have any simple preschool shape activities to share? If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

For more shapes-themed ideas, check out what the rest of the #TeachECE crew is up to this week:

Shiny Showy Shapes Alliteration Fun by Growing Book by Book

Roll and Cover The Shapes Alphabet Activity by Mom Inspired Life

Shapes Preschool Theme Sand Writing Tray by Learning 2 Walk

Mixing Shapes with Our Bodies – Group Activity by Capri + 3

Shape Sensory Squish Bag by Still Playing School

Shape I Spy for Preschoolers: Free Printable by Life Over C’s

Playdough Shapes Building Challenge for Preschoolers by The Preschool Toolbox Blog

DIY Shapes Puzzle by Play Teach Repeat

Hands-On Preschool Materials

It is imperative that we keep our classrooms stocked with materials that will give our students the hands-on learning experiences that they love (and need!). There are a few specific things that I always keep on-hand in my classroom. Check them out in the list below.

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

  • Crayons
  • Glue
  • Blocks
  • Puzzles
  • Safety scissors
  • Dramatic play items
  • Math manipulatives
  • Dry erase markers
  • Sensory items
  • Play dough
  • Craft supplies
  • Playground balls
  • Music and movement tools
  • Books, books, and more books!

When it comes to preschool, this list is really just skims the surface of the wide variety of materials that can be used. The best thing about this age group is that they learn the most while playing. So, whether they’re playing on the playground, building with blocks, or creating a masterpiece, rest assured that the children are learning so many important skills, all while having fun!

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week, all while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life, can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 is excited to share with you some amazing lesson plans, activity packs, and much more! We offer a wide variety of themes that are frequently used in preschool classrooms, as well as some less common (but super interesting) themes. Click on the images below to learn more about some of our shape-themed product offerings.

Shape monster process art with math & literacy extension activities
Shape Monster Process Art; Math & Literacy Extension Activities
Cover of digital 2D shapes activity pack for preschool.
Digital & Printable 2D Shape 4-in-1 Activity Pack

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our amazing products. And we even have three different membership options to suit your needs!

Simple hands-on preschool shape activities - go on a shape hunt and try out a few extension activities

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: #TeachECE, Shapes

Previous article:
« Halloween Art Activities with Coffee Filters
Next article:
Free Printable Monster Match Game »

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Theresa says

    October 23, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I love the I Spy photo book that the children help to create. I imagine they would love to read it again and again while remembering the shapes they found.

    Reply
    • CARI says

      November 3, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      Good ideas… I recently did a lesson about rectangles and had the kids “build their own” with pre cut paper strips. The kids loved making their own rectangles, and it showed me exactly who knew what a rectangle looks like!

      Reply
  2. Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says

    October 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    I love the book idea!

    Reply
  3. Alecia says

    October 25, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    What a great idea! I’m going to use this next week for our math lesson. Thanks!

    Reply
shop button

My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

Past Fun!

Search the Fun!

Fun by Categories!

Copyright ©2023, Fun-A-Day!. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs