My primary goal day after day in the classroom is to make whatever we’re learning more fun. As a primary teacher, I know that the activities and lessons we use will shape how my students view school. If they come to expect boring, repetitive activities from me, it’s pretty unlikely they’ll be excited for school. But engaging games and hands-on learning activities? That’s the right stuff! Come along to see how I apply this to teaching shapes in my classroom and keep those kiddos engaged from day one!
Make Learning Shapes Fun
Today I’m sharing 5 of my tried and true activities for teaching shapes in a fun way. These games and centers are super versatile in the primary classroom and perfect for the beginning of the year and beyond.
1. 2D Shape Games
We’re kicking off this roundup with a bang! Inside my Back to School Shapes Galore resource, you’ll find 13 different games and activities for teaching shapes. Out of all of my shape resources, these activities are my favorite! The bright and cheery pages snag student attention and everyone loves a good game, right? Here are some of the fun activities included in this resource:
- Dominoes – Students can play independently or with a partner to match the shapes and build a train with the pieces.
- Roll & Cover – Students will play this game independently. They will roll dice and cover the matching shape on the mat. They keep rolling and covering until the mat is full!
- BINGO – Students can play in small groups. They will cover up the shapes called until one person has a straight line or the entire board covered. This is a great option for afternoons or Fun Fridays!
- Shape Discrimination Cards – Students will play independently. They will look at the picture in the middle and cover up all the matching shapes around the sides.
- Puzzle Cards – Students can play independently or with partners. Students will match the shape to the picture and put the puzzle pieces together.
I think the best part about this resource though is the versatility. I love using many of these games in small groups for dedicated instruction. This is how I use them at the beginning of the year as we’re just getting our feet wet with learning shapes. But they also come in really handy as center activities and partner games too. Once students know how to play, I can use them as independent activities. The possibilities are endless! Take a closer look at all of the games in this resource in this post.
2. Cover it Up!
Next up, these Cover It Up Mats always save the day! I love that these mats allow me to squeeze in a little extra shape practice just about any time in our daily schedule. Plus, they are no-prep, which is always a win in my book! To use, students will say the shape name at the top of the page, then cover up or color all of the matching shapes. There is also a picture of that shape at the top for student reference. This makes these mats simple and easy to use for independent practice! Make this activity even more fun by providing students with shape blocks that match the shape they are searching for!
These come in handy as a warm-up during our small group time. I simply print the pages and place one in each student’s spot right as they are approaching my table. They know they can jump right into these activities and it gives me just a few minutes to get organized between groups. I can swap out materials and get everything I need while the kids independently work on these pages. This allows them to have something to work on without having to wait for me. I love that they can get started right away with a quick warm-up!
3. Color by Code Shape Worksheets
If you’re anything like me, you probably like to have some no-prep printables on hand. They are a great way to balance your prep time while still providing focused skills practice. These Color by Code Shape Worksheets are greater when we have a few extra minutes in our schedule, to use as morning work, or a quick check to see how students are doing. These pages also work well for those fast finishers, or anytime you need a focused activity to help your students get back on track. That’s when I am always so happy I made extra copies of these pages!
To use, students will color their pages according to the code at the top. Each page has them identify shapes and color the page accordingly. When they are done, a hidden picture is revealed. I love how easy these are for my students to use. They’re really simple, so you can use them with even your youngest learners at the beginning of the year. This also means they’re great for independent work and as a bonus, I’ve found they offer a certain calming quality that is always welcome in the primary classroom!
4. Digital Shape Games
Do you use digital activities in your classroom? As someone who adores hands-on learning, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. But, after using some Boom Cards with my students, I realized these could be a total game-changer in my classroom! They allow students to practice in a format that feels more like a video game. I’ll bet you already know that this is a hit among students!
Plus, Boom Cards are interactive, self-checking, and provide students with immediate feedback. This was such a great benefit in my eyes since it meant that students could use them independently and correct their work as needed. We use Boom Cards all year long, but when it comes to teaching shapes, they are especially fun! Here are the decks we use in my room:
Boom Cards are lots of fun, but they aren’t the only option when it comes to teaching shapes in a digital format. We also often use Google Slides activities in my room, especially for whole-group instruction. This Shape Matching Activity is great for popping up on the Smartboard and using it as a visual for students. Think of it like an interactive lesson when you use it this way. No matter which format you prefer, technology integration can be a great way to make teaching shapes more engaging in your classroom!
5. Make a Square
Last, but certainly not least – let’s talk about one of my favorite partner games for teaching shapes! Make a Square is a student favorite and super easy to use in the primary classroom. Simply print the no-prep pages and you’re off to the races! To play, you’ll pair up your students and provide them with a page. They will take turns drawing one line at a time to connect two dots side by side, either vertically or horizontally. When one student completes a square around a shape, they claim that square, but only if they can correctly identify the shape by name.
If they correctly identify the shape, they get to color it. If they cannot identify the shape, their partner can “steal” the square by correctly identifying and coloring the square. Students will continue to draw lines and claim and color squares until all squares are claimed. The player with the most squares colored wins! This is such a simple activity to use, but the students love it! Any chance to work with a partner is something they enjoy, so I love using these activities whenever we can. They’re a perfect no-prep center activity to add to the rotation and they also work well for those fast finishers in your group as well!
Keep Teaching Shapes All Year Long
It’s so important to start the year on the right foot and I’m certain these games and activities will help you do just that! You can find all of these activities for teaching shapes in my TPT store and many more to continue teaching shapes all year. And if you’re looking for some activities for teaching shapes with a fall theme, be sure to read this post next!
Save These Ideas for Teaching Shapes
These activities make teaching shapes fun and easy! Be sure to pin this post on Pinterest to keep track of these ideas.
