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.
I love activities that include exercise!
I 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
This looks fun. We have done something similar with numbers.
Get ’em moving and learning..GREAT!!
Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Wow, I love these ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Fun activity! My son really wanted to see what it was…he really likes the bean bags. 🙂
I love how “active” this is! My boys would love it. Thanks for sharing at Family Fun Friday!
Monica
Great idea! Hope I can remember this by the time it’s warm enough to do it!
This 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!
Gross motor educational activities are my favorite! Great one!
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