I try to make learning fun for my kids. That means that my approach to teaching shapes is to do so as much through games and play as I can. We have a long driveway, which provided the perfect setting to do a gross motor activity that involved teaching shapes to my kids.
Note: For more ideas and free printables to help kids learn shapes, see my teaching shapes to kids page.
I started by drawing a number of shapes on our driveway using sidewalk chalk
Once the shapes were drawn, I lined the kids up at the top of the driveway and named a shape for each of them to go find. Then it was “Ready, set go!” as they raced to find the shape I had told them.
Sometimes they raced down the driveway on their Mini Kick scooters
Sometimes they raced down the driveway on their Plasma cars
And sometimes they just raced down on foot.
When they found their shapes, they would stomp on them and do a happy dance.
Sometimes I would also count the number of sides or point out other features of the shape to help the kids learn them.
After a while, I thought it might help the kids if I gave them an exemplar shape to hold on to while searching for their shape on the driveway. Therefore, I pulled out our shapes bean bags
I handed each kid a shape, and then it was back to “Ready, Set, Go!” as they raced down the driveway to match the shape in their hand to the shape on the driveway.
Having a shape to refer to was very helpful for identifying a few of the shapes that both kids were struggling to recall.
We played this game for quite a while, so the kids got a good amount of exercise going up and down our driveway. Plus, they made progress in learning some shapes as well. And to top it off, we all had fun!
More resources for learning shapes
More shapes posts from Gift of Curiosity:
- 20 ideas for teaching shapes
- 15 books about shapes
- Magic disappearing shapes
- Trace the shapes art and fine motor activity
- How many ways to make a shape?
- Sand shapes
- Exploring 3D shapes through play
- 3D shapes graphing game
For more ideas and free printables to help kids learn shapes, see my Teaching Shapes to Kids page and my Learning Shapes Pinterest Board.
Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Learning Shapes on Pinterest.
Caroline says
March 7, 2013 at 8:32 pmI love activities that include exercise!
Reshama says
March 8, 2013 at 9:47 amI really like the idea that they get some outdoor play time as they learn. I need to get similarly creative during outdoor playtime. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
-Reshama
Sarah says
March 8, 2013 at 2:58 pmThis looks fun. We have done something similar with numbers.
chelle says
March 9, 2013 at 11:02 amGet ’em moving and learning..GREAT!!
Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Asa Jomard says
March 9, 2013 at 12:08 pmWow, I love these ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica @ Play Trains! says
March 12, 2013 at 12:37 pmFun activity! My son really wanted to see what it was…he really likes the bean bags. 🙂
Monica says
March 12, 2013 at 2:33 pmI love how “active” this is! My boys would love it. Thanks for sharing at Family Fun Friday!
Monica
Lindsay says
March 13, 2013 at 4:26 pmGreat idea! Hope I can remember this by the time it’s warm enough to do it!
Tracey@We-Made-That says
March 14, 2013 at 6:09 pmThis is such a great idea! I bet the kids had a blast and they are learning the entire time. So clever! Thanks for sharing on We Made That!
Allison says
March 15, 2013 at 6:02 pmGross motor educational activities are my favorite! Great one!
Sugar Aunts says
March 15, 2013 at 6:57 pmHi! We completely love this idea! We will be featuring your post tomorrow on Share It Saturday at http://www.sugaraunts.com. Stop by and visit if you like. We will also be sharing with our followers on FB and twitter. Are we connected there? Stop by and follow us and leave a message, we will be sure to follow you back. We love to connect with our featured bloggers:) See you again on Share It Saturday!
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Have a Great Weekend!