Children learn the shapes by naming them and practicing identification repeatedly. Adding a creative twist to shape identification makes the learning process more exciting. Try out these shape crafts with your toddler or preschooler.
Shape Collage
This is a simple craft that only requires construction paper, scissors and glue. Prepare the shapes ahead of time. You’ll need to cut out several shapes from different colors of construction paper. If you want to focus on only a few shapes just use those for the project. Otherwise, include lots of shapes, such as squares, triangles, rectangles, diamonds, circles, ovals, hearts and stars.
The kids use the shapes to make pictures. They can glue random shapes on the paper, or use the shapes to create something else. For example, the child might use a triangle to make a skirt, a square to make the torso, a circle to make a head and long, skinny rectangles to make arms and legs for a picture of a person.
Shape Stamping
Create your own custom stampers so the kids can stamp different shapes all over their papers. Sponges cut to the shapes you’re practicing work well for this activities. The kids dip the shaped sponges into paint and stamp them onto a piece of paper. They can also add details with a crayon or pencil to turn the shapes into something. A child might draw in a face on a stamped circle, for example.
Clay Shapes
This craft project uses clay to practice shapes in an artistic way. Show your child how to roll the clay into a long snake shape. He then molds the snake into whatever shape he is trying to make. If he needs a little help, print off some outlines of the shapes. He can place the clay on top of the outline to get the shape.
When the clay shapes dry, you can decorate them. Paint them and add any decorations, such as glitter or sequins, to get the desired look.
Shape Book
A homemade book is another way to practice shapes through crafts. If you want to focus on one particular shape, cut the paper for the book in that shape. Have the kids draw an object on each page that is that shape.
For a general shape book, use a traditional rectangle book. Dedicate each page to a different shape. have your child draw the shape and another object that is the same shape.
Get in Shape
Craft projects are simple to set up, but kids can learn a lot from them. Incorporating shape themes into the craft projects helps your preschooler gain more confidence in recognize the shapes.
