3d shape building activity

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Free Printable 3D Marshmallow Shape Cards

Engaging kids in STEM activities has never been more exciting, and easy! We love hands-on building activities for kids , and here’s a great way to build, and teach kids about 3D shapes. Grab some toothpicks and a pack of marshmallows, and our free printable toothpick and marshmallow shape cards below for hands-on geometry for kids!

What Is STEM For Kids?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math , and activities involving these fields have a huge impact on kids. Even the simplest STEM activities like this printable shape building challenge provide numerous opportunities for kids to learn and explore STEM.

It might look like your kids are just playing, but they are doing oh so much more. Look closely, you will see the design process in motion. You will see experimenting and critical thinking in action, and you will notice problem-solving at its finest. When kids play, they learn about the world around them!

Take this STEM activity, building 3D shapes with marshmallows and toothpicks. Building structures with toothpicks and marshmallows presents challenges that require creative problem-solving, and enhance critical thinking skills.

It offers an easy gateway into the world of STEM for kids. Through creativity and hands-on exploration, children can develop essential skills that will serve them well in future endeavors. So, grab those toothpicks and marshmallows, and let the engineering adventures begin!

Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Engineering Design Process Explained
• What Is An Engineer?
• Engineering Words
• Real World STEM
• Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
• BEST STEM Books for Kids
• 14 Engineering Books for Kids
• Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
• Must Have STEM Supplies List
• Join us in the Club

What shapes will kids build?

Kids can create simple 2D shapes like squares, triangles, and rectangles, or venture into the world of 3D shapes with pyramids, cubes, and prisms. Here are the main shapes…

Two Dimensional Shapes

Square : A square is a four-sided shape that has equal-length sides forming right angles.

How To Make It: Connect four equal-length toothpicks at right angles using marshmallows at the corners to create a square.

Triangle: A three-sided shape with three angles, and the sum of these angles equals 180 degrees.

How To Make It: Connect three toothpicks to form a triangle by securing them together at each corner with marshmallows.

Rectangle: A four-sided shape with opposite sides of equal length and all angles at 90 degrees.

How To Make It: Create a rectangle by connecting four toothpicks, making sure that the opposite sides are equal in length. Secure the corners with marshmallows.

Pentagon: A five-sided shape with with all sides of equal lengths and five angles.

How To Make It: Form a pentagon by connecting five toothpicks and securing them at each corner with marshmallows.

Three Dimensional Shapes

Pyramid: A pyramid is a three-dimensional shape with a polygonal base (has straight sides and angles) and triangular sides that meet at a common point called the apex.

How To Make It: Construct a pyramid by creating a square base using toothpicks and marshmallows, then connecting additional toothpicks to form triangular sides meeting at a central point.

Cube: A cube is a three-dimensional geometric shape with six square faces, all of which are equal in size.

How To Make It: Build a cube by connecting twelve toothpicks to form the edges of the cube and securing the corners with marshmallows.

Rectangular Prism: A rectangular prism is a three-dimensional shape with six rectangular faces, where opposite faces are equal in size.

How To Make It: Construct a rectangular prism by connecting twelve toothpicks to form the edges, and secure the corners with marshmallows.

Pentagonal Prism: A pentagonal prism is a three-dimensional shape with two pentagonal bases and five rectangular sides.

How To Make It: Create a pentagonal prism by forming two pentagons using toothpicks as bases, and connecting the corresponding vertices with additional toothpicks and marshmallows to create the sides.

How To Use These Shape Cards For Different Ages

• Preschoolers (3-5 years): Focus on simple shapes like squares and triangles. Give kids opportunity to simply create and play with the structures.

Check out our list of 25 shape activities for preschoolers and kindergarten.

• Elementary School (6-11 years): Introduce more complex shapes and encourage teamwork. Discuss basic engineering principles like stability and balance.

Working with others to create complex structures promotes teamwork and teaches kids the importance of communication and cooperation.

• Middle School (12-14 years): Challenge students with more intricate designs and discuss the science behind the structures. Explore concepts like load distribution and structural integrity.

TIP: Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they design and build unique structures, fostering creativity and innovation.

Get your free printable toothpick and marshmallow shape cards!

Print and laminate these shape cards so you can re-use them again and again!

More Fun Building Activities

Develop those design and engineering skills with more easy hands-on building activities. Click on the activities below to find out more.

Marshmallow and Toothpick Challenge

A fun challenge to follow on from building 3D shapes with marshmallows! Use those marshmallows and toothpicks to build the tallest tower. Any shape allowed!

Strong Paper Structures

Experiment with folding paper in different ways to test its strength, and learn about what shapes make the strongest structures.

Straw Boat Challenge

Design a boat made from nothing but straws and tape, and see how many items it can hold before it sinks.

Penny Boat Challenge

Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks.

Strong Spaghetti

Get out the pasta and test our your spaghetti bridge designs. Which one will hold the most weight?

Gumdrop Bridge

Build a bridge from gumdrops and toothpicks and see how much weight it can hold.

Printable STEM Pack for Kids

80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!

• Full instructions with sample images
• Activity-specific instruction sheets
• Data Collection Sheets
• Questions for Reflection
• Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
• Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
• Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
• 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
• Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
• Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
• What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
• Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
• Engineering vocabulary cards
• Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!

~ Projects to Try Now! ~

Keeping it Cool at School

A blog filled with ideas for making teaching and learning fun for students in kindergarten and 1st grade

3D Shapes Activities for Kindergarten

3D shapes can be a difficult concept for young students to grasp. Let’s make teaching 3D shapes fun by incorporating hands-on, interactive projects into your math lessons. These five 3D shapes activities for kindergarten have proven to be class favorites year after year. Students will love showing off their knowledge of three-dimensional attributes while having a blast learning.

1. Play Dough 3D Shapes

We all know how much kids love playing with play dough and clay, and let’s be honest, so do we. This is a great way to introduce students to the concept that 3D shapes can be held and have length, width and depth. Grab your favorite clay or play dough and have students mold cubes, cones, spheres, pyramids, and more!

2. 3D Shapes Museum

Have students bring in examples of 3D shapes they find at home. Students can display their objects on their desks for the other students to observe. The class can go on a walking tour to check out the 3D shapes their friends brought in to showcase. After everyone has a chance to observe the shapes around the room, the class can sort them. They can sort by type or by similar attributes.

3. Snacking on 3D Shapes

Another memorable way to help students identify 3D shapes is by having them snack on cubes, cones, spheres, rectangular prisms and, cylinders. There are so many different foods that come in these shapes. Create a collection of yummy snack foods and have students sort them, name them and then eat them!

3D Shapes Snacks

• Cones – candy kisses, Bugles, waffle cones
• Spheres – cereal, candy, cheese balls, blueberries
• Cubes – cheese cubes, caramels
• Cylinders – marshmallows, cheese sticks, Combos
• Rectangular Prisms – wafer cookies, Kit Kats

4. Create 3D Shapes with Attributes

Manipulatives are a important tool to help in their understanding of 3D shapes. That’s why this activity helps make the concept concrete. Students use 3D shape nets to create multiple shapes with their attributes listed on the sides.

There are also options for students to create real life examples of each of the shapes. Students love the challenge of creating these 3D shapes as well as being able to keep their fun creations. Once students create all of the shapes, you can create a mobile of all of their creations. This looks amazing displayed around the classroom.

Grab these fun, editable 3d shape nets here: https://bit.ly/2Nad9ZT

5. Building 3D Shapes with Play Dough and Toothpicks

This activity is sure to challenge and engage your students. Give each of your students a copy of this free 3D shapes building activity book, a stack of toothpicks and a container of play dough.

Your students will love exploring and creating cubes, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, square pyramids and triangular pyramids. After creating their 3D shapes, students will then write down the amount of faces, vertices and edges they see on each shape.

Grab this free resource below!

Have a Blast With These 3D Shapes Activities

With these 5 fun ways to teach 3D shapes, you and your students are sure to have an amazing time during math. Hands-on 3D shapes activities for kindergarten make learning memorable and engaging for everyone.

Lindsay Keegan

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hi there, i have tried to get your building 3d shapes book and it hasnt shown up in my in box yet. just wondering if i could please get a copy of it.

Hi Kristen, I can definitely help with that, sorry for the delayed response. Please email me at [email protected] and I can get that over to you. Chat with you soon. Thanks so much! Truly, Lindsay Keegan Keeping It Cool At School

My pleasure, enjoy 🙂

Good morning,

Yesterday I completed the form to receive the FREE Building 3D Shapes Book. I have not received it yet. I have checked my spam/junk folders. I even tried with a second email address and still haven’t recieved the booklet. Are you still offering this booklet?

Hi Lorie, I’m so sorry the email isn’t coming through for you. Please email me at [email protected] and I can get that over to you. Chat with you soon. Thanks so much! Truly, Lindsay Keegan Keeping It Cool At School

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Building Shapes STEM Cards

Kids will have an awesome time building popular 2D and 3D shapes with these free STEM activity task cards!

Want to take your STEM game to the next level? Snag our best selling toothpick STEM challenges!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Getting Ready

I began by printing the the task cards on cardstock to give them extra durability.

Then, I ran them through my laminator and cut along the dotted line in the center of each page to separate the halves.

I grabbed a ball of playdough kids could use to build the 3D shapes and filled a small basket with a variety of rainbow-colored popsicle sticks .

(The unstained kind would work well, too. They are available in a variety of sizes from mini to jumbo size! )

STEM Activity: Building Shapes

I spread out the 2D shape task cards around one table and placed the basket of popsicle sticks in the center. The kids took turns making each shape.

Later, we talked about shape properties like the number of corners (vertices) and sides (edges) on each one.

On another table, I challenged kids to make 3D shapes . After placing one card at each seat, I placed a basket of popsicle sticks and  playdough in the center.

The kids used the playdough to join each of the sides together which involved a lot of problem solving.

One of the kids figured out that he needed a bit more playdough so that the popsicle sticks would stay in place, but not too much because or his cube would fall over!

For the 3D shapes, it’s fun to include a variety of materials such as popsicle sticks, colored matchsticks and straws. That way kids can explore different materials and discover which ones are easier for building.

For instance, straws are sometimes a bit easier for modeling because they are lightweight and can be easily cut into different lengths but they’re not as strong and durable as craft sticks.  The best part of this STEM activity is that you can tweak it many different ways!

Grab Your Set

Ready to play along too?! Click the blue download button to download your free set.

Then, take your STEM to the next level by snagging our best selling Toothpick STEM Challenges!

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12 comments.

I am not able to download the free 2D and 3D building stemcards, are you able to assist?

Hi Nadia, When you click the teal “Download Here” button, a pop-up should open. You can try checking to make sure your browser isn’t blocking pop-ups from the site or try using a different browser. Let me know if you’re not able to get the cards! Warmly, Sarah // Playdough to Plato Team

Hi there, The button doesn’t seem to be working for me either! Hmm…

Hi Caitlyn, I did check that the button is working on our end. Please let me know if you were able to try enabling pop-ups or using a different browser! Warmest regards, Sarah // Playdough to Plato Team

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The download button also did not work for me for the free activity.

Hi Kristan! I just followed up with an email! Sarah // Playdough to Plato Team

I would also love this download, but it is not working for me either. Can you put a link in the chat?

Hi Priscilla, When you click the teal “Download Here” button, a pop-up should open. You can try checking to make sure your browser isn’t blocking pop-ups from the site or try using a different browser. Fingers crossed the pop ups do the trick! Warmly, Sarah // Playdough to Plato Team

I could only get the 2D to print, how do I get the 3D to print free?

Hi Suzanne, Since the cards are all in the same file, you should be able to print them all at once. The file is a PDF, so it will work best when it’s opened in Adobe Reader. If you don’t have this program, you can download it for free here http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/ . Fingers crossed this helps! Warmly, Sarah // The STEM Laboratory Team

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Build Your Own 3D Structure : STEM Challenge for Kids

• July 3, 2019
• 10 Minute Science , 5-6 Year Olds , Engineering , Rainy Day Science , STEM

As a parent, I need to think in every possible aspect to enhance my kid’s thinking ability and especially on how to improve their STEM future. So, this time I have picked ‘Building 3d structures and shapes’ to teach my children through a couple of hands-on activities. Check this to see how we did a catapult last week.

As we all know, kids show much interest on visual part rather than listening to something as lecture. So, I want my little ones to learn the dimensions of 3d structures by performing some simple and fun activities that involve both kin-aesthetic and visual elements which takes major role to make learning last lifetime.

In the below mentioned activity, children will get to know and learn about simple and easy instructions to make 3d shapes in a fun way using commonly used materials nothing but kids beloved play dough and few sticks. Also, this activity keeps children engaged and active in their free study time. It may even challenging to build and understanding the concept of making and identifying the faces, edges, and corners of different 3d solid shapes.

I made up my mind to choose one as per my elder daughter Pritika’s interest. She is 5+ years old and did not want to disappoint her by choosing any difficult task. My younger one, Tisha started clapping while arranging things required for the activity on the table. 🙂

Before we start teaching our kids about 3d shapes, make sure your kids are familiar with the 2d shapes as well. If not give them a brief explanation or visual orientation on 2d shapes which helps to better understand the 3d shapes easily (check Jamie’s abacus page for handmade crafts for kids).

Materials required to make 3d Shapes Stem Structures

Generally, people wonder how to explain 3d structures to kids without leaving any confusion in their minds. But our simple materials that are available in everyone’s home made it simple to perform this activity of teaching 3d structures to kids in a very fun way. Let us see what they are!

• Play Dough (You can use different colours and shades of dough to make the activity colourful and interesting)
• Sticks (Different sized Sticks are used to make different dimensions of 3d shapes)

What!! Surprised!? Yes, absolutely, that’s it…..we need only a couple of things to execute this super fun activity.

What are the steps required to keep the things ready before starting doing 3d shapes

Firstly, I asked my elder daughter to spread a big white sheet on the working table. Why white!!? Since we are using different colours, the white background helps the kids to have a clear vision and also to observe the shapes and dimensions made of a variety of colours without any confusion.

How to do the 3d shapes

Now, we have everything ready to do 3d shapes. Here, you can ask your kids to name some of the 3d shapes they know. You can show them different types of 3d shapes to give them an idea prior to begin the activity. Without the knowledge of 3d shapes, it is waste of your and your child’s time to do this activity as they don’t understand the main concept of understanding 3d structures.

What is the definition of 3d shapes?

Once, you give your child a brief explanation on 3d shapes, just ask them to draw a few 3d shapes on a white drawing sheet. This helps them to get more involved and concentrated on the topic they are going to do an activity. It is also easy for them to perform the activity by seeing the shapes and doing.

Let us learn how to make a cuboid…

To make a cuboid shape, first we need to make a rectangular base. Take two equal sizes of sticks as a base and place a ball of play dough on their ends. Now, we are going to connect these two sticks with the help of short length sticks and place them horizontally on the sides of the base (two opposite sides will be shorter).

Now the base is ready. Then place the four sticks on top of the four play dough balls of the base. And then cover the ends of the four vertical sticks with four balls of play dough.

We have come to the end, take exact sizes of sticks same as taken to make the base. Attach them to each other using the play dough balls. That’s it, we can see the shape of the 3d structure i.e a Cuboid.

In the same way, we can make all the 3d shapes using play dough balls and sticks. Now, let us know how to make square based pyramid to better understand the concept of making 3d shapes using simple and interesting materials.

Firstly, make a square base taking four equal sized sticks join them in a square shape using play dough balls at their ends. Now, attach four sticks of equal size vertically on all the four corners of the base. Bring them to the mid-point of the square base slowly i.e. nothing but you are pushing the sticks diagonally to the centre. Join all the four sticks that are brought diagonally to the centre with a small ball of play dough. Hey!! You are done with the square based pyramid shape.

My kids enjoyed a lot doing this activity and they later tried making different shapes. Now they are familiar with moulding the 3d shapes. 🙂

Making 3d Stem Structures using Straw and Thread

Now let us get into our next activity which I already promised you that I am going to discuss on 3d stem structures. That is nothing but making 3d stem structure using again the simple materials that are available in our home.

Materials required

• Woollen Thread
• Beads (optional)

Procedure to be followed

This is another quick, easy and super fun activity to make large geometric 3d structures. The shapes are made by sucking a thread into the straws and knotting method. Let us see how it is possible to make shapes.

Firstly, make a triangle shape on the flat surface using colourful straws. Now, insert the woollen thread into the straws. (Here to make a triangle shape we need three straws. So, cut the woollen tread into three equal lengths. Cut the thread into enough lengths in order to put knot between the straws).

Now, tie the knots that are inserted inside the straws. Keep in mind that you need to tie the thread of one end of the straw to the other end of the adjacent straw. The same follows to the other corners of the triangle. Finally, when you lift the structure, you can see the triangle shape clearly made of straws holding by threads.

 The funniest part happened while doing this activity is my girls couldn’t tie the threads and keep knot as I dint teach them how to do a knot with threads. Hope I should do this before I start this activity. Lol…J so friends make sure that your children are aware of tying knots using thread.

Here you can see different 3d shapes and stem structures which my little girls have tried after I showed the basic structures using sticks and play dough balls.

I highly recommend you to try this activity at home along with your kids. This activity helps your children improve their imagination and creative play and takes their basic knowledge of play dough moulding to next level.

For making different 3D shapes, it’s always super fun to include a variety of materials such as Popsicle sticks, tooth picks, coloured matchsticks and straws. In this way kids can explore different materials as well as discover new things and concepts like which ones are easier for building.

Straws are also perfect to this activity as they are light-weight and easy to mould in our required shapes and easy to cut as well. So, there are no limitations to this activity.

After she finished I explained few geometry concepts and she was able to relate and grasp better now. I referred to the  Geomag rods and explained about the triangular and square-shaped pyramid. Also, about prisms and triangular shape. I further incorporated 3D to the lessons.

Keeping the foundation of STEM strong we simplify the science concepts and have made them as small experiments which kids can do on their own with minimal support. The  catapult experiments and the  balance scales  include science concepts and engineering concepts. Likewise, each experiment will contain more than one pillar of the STEM and help students to understand easily.

Happy Browsing and do not forget to give it a try!!

We shall post more for you and you will have the choice to select and make your kid take the challenge.

In our next we want to bring out Coding for Kids ! A special new topic for the coding genius in your kid. Watch out for it.

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12 Hands-On Shape Activities

Let’s talk about shapes.

I LOVE to teaching my kinders about 2D and 3D shapes!

Why? It is so much fun because it’s hands-on and students are able to discuss shapes because they seem them every day! There is a ton of children literature and activities you can do with your students. They can build the shape with toothpicks or play dough, go on a shape hunt, play BINGO (who doesn’t like a game of BINGO?), write shape riddles, and sort shapes by attributes!

Here are some of the 2D and 3D shape activities I used in my classroom

First, I create a “shape culture” classroom. When I need to call a group of students sitting at the same table, I usually call them by colors, like purple table or blue table. I rename the tables a shape we will learn and put that shape on their desk. They enjoy the change in table name (and will correct me if I accidentally say the color name and not their shape name).

Then, I put up shape posters ! I don’t have a lot of wall space, so I hang my space posters under my smart board. I change the posters based on what we are learning so students can learn new vocabulary words.

Now, let’s talk about books!

I always like to get my students excited about what we are doing in math by putting books in the library about the subject. So, I went through my personal library and the school library and found some books to put on display. Here are the books that I put in my classroom library.

I read The Shape of Things, Circus Shapes  and Not a Box.  These colorful books really got the students talking about shapes they see all around them! I put these books in the class library so students can interact with them during literacy centers or when they finish their work early and have time to read.

Now, to the activities!

Activity #1: Using positional words to describe the location of 3D shapes

These activity cards are for using positional words to describe the location of 3D shapes. Students pick a card describe the location to their partner and the partner builds according to what their friend said. Students have a choice they can use the picture or flip the card over and read the words.

Activity #2: Fill in the Hexagons

This activity is a classic shape game in the kinder world! Students spin the spinner and put that shape in a hexagon. The students have to fill up the hexagon, carefully and selectively placing the shapes in the right spot to make a hexagon.

#3 – Building Shapes using Play Dough

This is a really fun hands-on fine motor shape activity. Using the playdough, students build the shape on the mat.

Activity #4 – 2D / 3D Shape Build Activity

Students build 2D and 3D shapes using play dough. This also teaches them how many sides and corners for each shape.

Activity #5 – Riddles

We also had fun creating our own shape riddles. Students drew a picture of their favorite shape and wrote clues to see if their classmates can guess.

 Activity #5 – Attribute Match-Up

Students sort the shapes by name, picture, attribute and real-life object

Activity #6 – Shape Computer Game

This PowerPoint computer game will work on any device that uses PowerPoint 2010 or later. It has a vocabulary section and 2 games that students can play. The vocabulary section shows the name, picture and facts about the shapes (sides and corners). The games are divided into 2 parts: 2D and 3D shapes. Students use what they know about the 2D and 3D shapes to answer the questions.

Activity # 7 – Shape Geoboards

Geoboards are a great hands-on way to get students to make a example of a shape using a rubber band. Students pick a card and replicate that card by building it using a rubber band on a geoboard.

Activity #8 – 2D 3D Shape Booklets

I also like to have students write a shape book about shapes that they can read and share with the parents at home.

Activity #9 – Shape Picture

After reading and discussing shapes all around us, I have students using attribute blocks to build a real-life object using shapes. We then go on a gallery walk and look at everyone’s beautiful work. After, I take all of their pictures and turn it into a shape book that is put in the class library.

Activity #10 – Attribute Match Up

2D Shape Attribute Match-Up – This was my students’ FAVORITE shape center! I typed the attributes of the shapes we were studying and glued and laminated them on a giant chart paper. Students had to read the clues and place the shape that match the attribute.

Activity #11 – Does it Roll, Stack or Slide?

You can also play Does it Roll, Stack and Slide ? Students test each shape to see if it can roll, stack or slide and record their findings on a recording sheet.

Activity #12 – Shape Puzzles

Students put the puzzle together! They match the word, shape and a object that looks like that shape. This activity is great for math centers!

I write the answers on the back of the puzzle so students can self-check!

There are so many more activities that I didn’t mention! Such as going on a shape hunt for 2D or 3D shapes!

Thank you so much for reading this post! I hope I was able to give you some ideas on fun activities to get your students talking about shapes!

Wait! There’s MORE shape activities

If you like all these ideas and want to them all and not have to create your own worksheets and receive the interactive PowerPoint Game, please go to my TpT store and purchase my 2D/3D Shape packet !

Do you want FREE shape ideas? Follow my Pinterest Board: Kindergarten Shapes by clicking the image below!

Do you want FREE 2D/3D shape worksheets? Click on the image below and download the resource! There are TONS of pages about shapes!

Want to read more about shapes? If you loved reading this post about shapes, you will love this post about 2D / 3D shapes riddles! Click the image below to continue to read about 2D/3D shapes!

What are some other shape activities you use in the classroom? Share by leaving a comment below!

Happy Teaching!

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3D Shape Activities

Learning 3D shapes just got WAY cooler! These engaging, hands-on 3D shape activities teach kids about cones, cubes, cylinders, hemispheres, hexagonal prisms, pyramids, rectangular prisms, spheres and triangular prisms.

They’re great to use as math centers or math lessons in kindergarten, first grade or second grade.

Grab your pack in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers!   For more shapes fun, check out our Pattern Block Mats as well!

Peek Inside 3D Shape Activities

Inside the kid-approved pack, students learn about the parts of 3D shapes with a helpful poster identifying faces, edges and vertices.

Three interactive flap books challenge kids to draw each shape, identify real world objects containing the shape and then put their new knowledge to the test by writing its number of edges, vertices and faces.

They build and read paper models of six shapes: a cone, cube, rectangular prism, cylinder, square pyramid and triangular pyramid.

Kids match real world objects with their corresponding shape on a set of 27 clip cards.

Children spin a paper clip, name the shape it lands on and color it on the graph as they race to see what shape will reach the top first.

And they practice naming and identifying shapes with a fun round of 3D Shape Bingo. (There’s a class set of boards!)

Grab Your Pack

There’s so much fun packed into this set! Snag your copy  in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers!

Then, don’t forget to check out our Pattern Block Mats to practice more shapes!

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This looks amazing, but I can’t purchase as live in the UK?

Hi Christy, Thanks for reaching out. We’re so glad you like it. Due to VAT restrictions, we ask that all customers outside the U.S. make their purchases from our TpT Store . Thanks so much! Warmly, Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

Wonderful ideas thanks for sharing

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7 Silly Ways to Teach 3D Shapes in Kindergarten

Teaching 3D shapes in kindergarten? Or wanting to build your child's spatial intelligence and math vocabulary? These 9 simple games can be played with kids 3+ and are the perfect centers activities for teaching 3D shapes in kindergarten!

*As an Amazon affiliate, I may get a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

Refresher: What are the names of 3D shapes?

Here's a little refresher photo labeling the 3D shapes for you. Notice that there are 2 kinds of pyramids!

Here are the Learning Resources 3D Shapes we used for most of our activities. You can use household items or blocks too!

7 Simple Activities for Teaching 3D Shapes in Kindergarten:

All of these 3D shapes activities are under 5 minutes to prep, and if you're looking for some printable 3D shapes worksheets for kindergarten centers, check out #3 and #4 for some mega-fun hands-on learning printables.

1. Tower Building with 3D Shapes

Using the blocks that you have invite your child/students to create a tower. As they build, you can help them name the shapes they're using. Child directed play is often the most engaging way to learn, and by using the strategy of "Saying what you see" you're helping build new vocabulary.

This 3d shapes activity is wonderful for introducing the shapes to your kindergarteners, who at this point, may only be familiar with 2d shape names.

As a bonus, you could have them graph or tally the number of each shape they used in their building.

2. Parent and Baby 3D Shape Matching Center

My kids LOVE to make families when they're playing whether it's dinosaurs, cars, princesses, or just rocks. They often hands me something big and something little and say, "That's the mama, and that's the baby."

Use this to your advantage to play Mama and Baby or any other caregiving relationship with the 3D shapes. For this one you'll need shapes of varying sizes.

I bought this set from Learning Resources because they had a wide range of shapes and sizes. For more 2D shape matching, you'll definitely want to check out this activity that kept both my kids busy for 30 min!

3. 3D Shape Hunt -an excellent whole class activity!

This can be done very informally by going on a "Shape Hunt" around your home, neighborhood, or school. If you want to keep track and make it official, bust out a clipboard (or just a book with a chip clip) and make a 3D shape tracker, so kids can keep track of what they see. What shapes are around your home? Are they 2D and flat? Are they 3D and pop up? The kitchen has a lot of great shapes...

Dow nload your shape hunt right now for only $1.11!

4. Roll, Slide, Stack the 3D Shapes in Kindergarten

This out of the box shapes activity is the perfect at home invitation to play or a kindergarten math center that EVERY child adores. Remember when I said, kids think outside the box? Well, instead of just comparing the sides of shapes or corners, let's compare how they move in space.

Does the 3D shape slide? Does it roll? Can you stack it? Want this instant printable for Roll, Slide, Stack? Click HERE .

For kids learning 3D shapes in kindergarten, having independent activities is key! The recording sheet has visuals for each step, so that if your child isn't reading yet, they can still do this on their own.

Just PRINT the 3D shapes worksheet and kindergarten math centers are done! Even if kids can't read, they can still be self directed because it has visuals for each item. : )

Set up an area with the 3D shapes and a makeshift slide and play. Kids will LOVE comparing and contrasting 3D shapes as they play to learn.

5. "Clue" 3D Shapes Activity for Kindergarten

This "Who Done It" game elicits very thoughtful responses from kindergarteners. Line up all the 3D shapes in what will be the criminal line up.

Announce that one of these shapes has committed a crime. Kids are adamant about ensuring the justice will be served. Decide who committed the crime! (Write your answer on a sheet of paper, i.e. the smallest blue cone.) Have your student ask YES or NO questions that describe the shapes in the line up, then, eliminate them by their attributes. For example, "Does this 3D shape have a circle on one side? Does this 3D shape have vertices (corners)?" Weed out the innocent shapes till you find the criminal among your 3D shapes (but make sure it gets a fair trial).

6. 2D Sides, 3D Shape Puzzle Activity

On a piece of construction paper, trace around the shapes you want to give your kids. These will be the 2D sides that they're likely familiar with.

Next, ask them to name the shapes on the paper... Now what is different about the 3D shapes?

Can they match them to the 2D (aka FLAT) sides that are on the paper to complete the shapes puzzle?

If your child is having a hard time distinguishing between 2D and 3D shapes, I highly recommend this video by the always funny, Mr. B's Brain.

I love how he describes the difference between 2D and 3D shapes in a way that is so simple to understand for young learners. He shares that 2D shapes go two ways: side to side and up and down. In contract, 3D shapes go three ways: up and down, side to side, and back and forth. Check it out!

7. Simple 3D Shapes Sort

Of course, when we see these engaging, colorful shapes we start categorizing them in our mind. Sorting is a major math skill that I describe in this activity where I have the kids do the laundry and build math skills at the same time.

Challenge your kids to sort in different ways: color, size, shape (duh) but maybe they'll even astound you and sort by number of sides or has corners vs. not.

Kids are more likely to think outside the box than adults, so let them lead this activity and you'll probably be surprised!

What are the 3D shapes standards in kindergarten?

Naming and comparing shapes are big geometry standards in kindergarten. Here are some of the kindergarten common core geometry standards from https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf

• Name shapes correctly, regardless of orientation
• Identify if a shape is 2D vs 3D
• Compare and contrast 2D and 3D shapes including attributes, similarities, and differences.

Looking for more shapes activities?

• T ape Shapes - a great quiet time activity
• Shape Sticky Wall -a wonderful 2D shapes activity

Related Posts:

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IDEAS FOR TEACHING 3D SHAPES IN KINDERGARTEN

HANDS-ON IDEAS FOR TEACHING 3D OBJECTS

3d Shapes Activities

Teach your child all about 3d shapes with amazing educational resources for children. These online 3d shapes learning resources break down the topic into smaller parts for better conceptual understanding and grasp. Get started now to make 3d shapes practice a smooth, easy and fun process for your child!

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Identify Cones and Cubes Game

Dive deep into the world of geometry by identifying cones and cubes.

Identify Cylinders and Spheres Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to identify cylinders and spheres.

Identify Solid Shapes Worksheet

Combine math learning with adventure by solving to identify solid shapes.

Cones and Spheres Worksheet

Learn geometry at the speed of lightning by practicing cones and spheres.

Compare Flats and Solids Game

Begin the exciting journey of becoming a math wizard by learning how to compare flats and solids.

Match Objects with Shapes Game

Enter the madness of math-multiverse by exploring how to match objects with shapes.

Cylinders and Cubes Worksheet

Combine math learning with adventure by practicing cylinders and cubes.

Sorting 2D and 3D Shapes Worksheet

Enhance your child's understanding of 3D shapes with our engaging worksheet on sorting 2D and 3D figures.

Shapes All Around Us Game

Take a look at the shapes all around us with this fun game.

Identify Curved Surface Game

Use your geometry skills to identify curved surfaces.

Matching 3D Shapes with Number of Corners Worksheet

Boost your child's understanding of geometry with this engaging worksheet on 3D shapes and corners.

Match 3D Shapes with 2D Shapes Worksheet

Explore this engaging worksheet to help kids identify and match 3D shapes with their 2D counterparts.

Identify Shapes on the basis of Surfaces Game

Practice the superpower of geometry by learning to identify shapes on the basis of surfaces.

Count the Faces Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning to count the faces.

Identifying 3D Shapes Movements Worksheet

Explore this engaging worksheet to master identifying movements of 3D shapes effectively.

Count the Corners in 3D Shapes Worksheet

Boost your kid's geometry skills with this engaging worksheet on the corners of 3D shapes!

Identify Shapes on the basis of Faces Game

Unearth the wisdom of mathematics by learning how to identify shapes on the basis of faces.

Count the Vertices Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by exploring how to count vertices.

Identifying 3D Shapes by Counting Corners and Edges Worksheet

Explore our innovative worksheet to master the art of identifying 3D shapes by corner counting.

Shapes in Our Surroundings Worksheet

Put your skills to the test by practicing to identify shapes in our surroundings.

Identify Shapes on the basis of Vertices Game

Treat yourself to an immersive learning experience by identifying shapes on the basis of vertices.

Matching Real-Life Objects with 3D Shapes Worksheet

Enhance your child's understanding of 3D shapes with this interactive real-life objects worksheet.

Sorting Real-Life Objects as Cuboids, Cones, and Cylinders Worksheet

Enhance 3D shape identification skills with this worksheet featuring real-life cuboids, cones, and cylinders.

Sort and Count Spherical and Cuboidal Objects Worksheet

Explore this interactive worksheet to learn and practice sorting and counting 3D shapes in real life.

Matching Real-Life Objects with 2D Shapes Worksheet

Boost your child's geometry skills with our worksheet on identifying 2D shapes in 3D objects!

Identifying 3D Objects for 3D Shapes Worksheet

Explore our worksheet and enhance your skills in identifying 3D shapes in everyday objects!

Verify Sorting of 3D Objects Worksheet

Explore this engaging worksheet to practice identifying and sorting 3D shapes in real-life scenarios.

Classifying 3D Objects Worksheet

Enhance your child's knowledge with this worksheet on identifying real-life 3D shapes.

Identifying Conical Objects Worksheet

Explore this worksheet to learn identifying conical 3D shapes in real-life objects effectively!

Select the Number of Corners in Given Object Worksheet

Enhance geometry skills with this worksheet, identifying the number of corners in various objects.

Trace and Identify the 3D Shape Worksheet

Boost your child's geometry skills with this engaging 3D shapes worksheet for easy tracing and identification.

Your one stop solution for all grade learning needs.

Marshmallow and Toothpick 3D Shape Worksheets

By: Author Elizabeth Lampman

Posted on October 20, 2021

Download these free printable marshmallow and toothpick 3D shape worksheets as a fun educational activity that teaches kids geometry.

We all know that marshmallows are great for roasting on the fire. Did you also know that they’re great for teaching kids about 3D shapes?

These printable marshmallow and toothpick 3D shape worksheets will help your little ones learn to identify shapes and help them with building shapes. Just set out some marshmallows, toothpicks, and the printed out geometric cards.

They’ll have so much fun making their own 3D structures that it won’t even feel like learning! I mean, who doesn’t love a STEM project that includes a bag of marshmallows?

These free printable marshmallow and toothpick geometry cards are fun stem activities. They’re perfect for the classroom as part of a geometry lesson, or to do at home with your little ones!

Younger kids love to explore and create 3D shapes, and these free printable marshmallow and toothpick 3D shape worksheets are perfect for doing just that! This is a great activity for first graders!

These would be a great way to teach about the different types of 3-dimensional shapes. Building toothpick sculptures is a fun activity for kids who need help with their fine motor skills.

There are different shapes to work on, including a cube, prisms, pyramids, and more.

You can download all 8 marshmallow and toothpick cards for FREE at the end of the article or you can right click on the specific image of the page you want to save and print an individual page.

We hope you enjoy making shapes out of marshmallows and toothpicks as much as we did.

Why is building structures an amazing STEM activity?

One reason is that it develops problem-solving skills. To build a 3D structure with marshmallows and toothpicks, kids must use their spatial reasoning to build three dimensional shapes.

Another reason 3D building structures can be amazing STEM play is that it allows children to experiment with geometry concepts like symmetry, angles, and understanding vertices and edges.

Finally, to build a solid structure you need a good design, the right amount of pieces, a solid base, and basic engineering skills.  To build a great structure, kids must plan their design, understand concepts like weight distribution and balance, and consider the limits of the materials they have to work with.

These all contribute to STEM learning.

Building structures can be an excellent outlet for children’s natural creativity because it allows them to exercise a wide variety of problem solving skills that will help them in school and beyond.

How do I get my kids building 3D structures?

The best way to get kids started building structures with marshmallows and toothpicks is to show them the concepts, then let them explore on their own and make their own shapes.

Start by giving your children an explanation of how they can make a variety of 3D shapes with marshmallows and toothpicks, using the 3D Shape cards as a reference.

Demonstrate how you can use two toothpicks to make a line, three toothpicks to make a triangle, four toothpicks to make a square, and then how to use these simple 2D shapes as a base for 3-d shapes like cubes, and rectangular prisms.

Once kids have mastered the shapes on the geometric cards provided let them experiment! Let your children explore what they can build, how high they can stack the marshmallows and toothpicks, and which shapes will support a structure best.

What does my child need to Build 3D Geometric Shapes?

All you’ll need to get started building 3D structures with marshmallows and toothpicks is the following:

Marshmallows – one bag per child should suffice. Mini marshmallows are best.

Toothpicks – a few packs depending on how many children will be participating in the activity.

Plate or surface to build structures on, such as a tray, baking pan, or piece of cardboard.

The 3D Shape worksheets printed out and set out as a guide.

Safety information for Building with Marshmallows and Toothpicks

Whether you plan on building structures with your child or letting them explore independently, there are some things you will want to know as a parent.

These items are small and represent a choking hazard, so you’ll want to keep your children away from babies and toddlers while they’re building.

Toothpicks can be very sharp! Watch out for poking accidents and make sure that younger siblings don’t try to eat any marshmallows off the toothpicks!

Marshmallows are sticky. Don’t be surprised if they get everywhere!

The most important point is that your child is old enough to not put these items in their mouths or ears – even with supervision!

What Can I do with my Child after we make 3D Shapes?

3D structures are great STEM learning tools, but they aren’t the only learning opportunity presented through this activity.

Here are a few other ways you can use these 3D shapes:

• Play with them! Let your kids build and play and explore to their hearts content.
• Make a game of it! Have children put their structures together and see how high they can build, or who can make the design with the most marshmallows first.
• Look for 3D shapes in everyday life! There are shapes all around you. Help your child to search them out and identify them, then talk about the ways they’re used in the real world.
• Read a book! There are many books about shapes that kids will enjoy. Look for titles with 3D shapes, or search through your children’s favorite stories and see if there’s a shape you can find on each page!
• Take a walk outside and examine the shapes of the natural world.
• Create 3D structures with other items! Marshmallows aren’t the only thing you can build with, so find other items and let your kids get creative!

Marshmallow 3D Shape Worksheets

The Marshmallow and toothpick shapes worksheet will give kids a starting point of becoming familiar with making a variety of different 3 dimensional shapes.

It’s a good idea to get your child started by having them make some simple 2d geometric forms like squares, triangles, and rectangles.

Then they can use these 2d shapes to make 3 dimensional structures with their marshmallows and toothpicks.

The worksheets in this printable set include a cube, a rectangular prism, a triangular prism, a pentagonal prism, a triangular pyramid, and an octahedron.

More Free Math Printables for Kids

Make this fun number sense busy bag for your preschool or kindergarten aged kids to help them practice counting and numbers! Great for quiet time or centres! Free printable number cards are included in the tutorial!

Use these free printable  Construction Trucks Math Pack worksheets for Kindergarten to 1st Grade to help your child work on small motor skills, math skills, shapes and other basic skills.

7 Fun Pages of Monster Themed Math Worksheets (for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1 aged kids!) You are going to love this FREE printable Monster Math Pack for kids.

DOWNLOAD THE WITCH ACTIVITY PRINTABLE SET

This 7 page Marshmallow Geometry Worksheet printable set is a great way to explore 3D shapes with kids.

Grab the 3D Shape Worksheets for FREE and print it today.

★TERMS OF USE: …………………………………………………………. You may use this file for your own PERSONAL USE ONLY. File sharing, distribution, and commercial use of this file or of the printed work from this file are prohibited. You are welcome to print as many copies as you like for yourself. The designs can not be used for any commercial purpose or resold. You may NOT use these files for publishing on any platform under any circumstances.

Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

Hello Can you please send me the link for the 3D worksheets. I love this idea. Thank you!

Elizabeth Lampman

Thursday 16th of March 2023

The download link is at the bottom of the article, above the comments.

Saturday 29th of October 2022

Grab the 3D Shape Worksheets for FREE and print it today. THis link is not working. Would you be able to send this along to me?

Monday 31st of October 2022

I sent you an e-mail with the file!

Building Shapes – STEM for Kids

Categories Engineering , STEM

This Building Shapes – STEM for Kids activity is a fun, play based learning activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Engineering for kids can be both easy and fun, and includes more versatility than just building blocks.

If you want to make your Shapes themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Shapes Activity Pack . It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Shapes Activities for Kids

Help toddlers and preschoolers learn their shapes with these easy shape play ideas.

• Sticker Shapes Fine Motor Activity
• Shape Sorting sensory bin
• Craft Stick Shape Mats
• Fizzy Shapes Sensory Bin
• Which Shape is Strongest: STEM Challenge

For more ideas, read the entire list of 25 Shape Activities for Kids

Materials Needed

How to set up a building shapes stem for kids activity.

Step1: Roll the playdough into small balls.

2: Use toothpicks to join the playdough balls together.

I love this STEM for preschoolers activity because you can create both 2D and 3D shapes using these two simple materials. Which means that both toddlers and preschoolers can have fun with this activity because you can make it more challenging depending on the abilities of the kids you teach.

Are you going to try this Building Shapes STEM for Kids? Don’t forget to Pin the idea for later.

More STEM Activities for Kids

Water STEM Activities for Kids

STEM Experiments for Toddlers

Water Cycle STEM for Kids

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Years 3 & 4: Geometry

This list consists of activities, games and videos designed to support the new curriculum programme of study in Years 3 and 4. Containing tips on using the resources and suggestions for further use, it covers:

Year 3 : Draw 2-D shapes and make 3-D shapes using modelling materials, recognise 3-D shapes in different orientations and describe them, recognise angles as a property of shape or a description of a turn, identify right angles, recognise that two right angles make a half-turn, three make three quarters of a turn and four a complete turn, identify whether angles are greater than or less than a right angle, identify horizontal and vertical lines and pairs of perpendicular and parallel lines.

Year 4 : Compare and classify geometric shapes, including quadrilaterals and triangles, based on their properties and sizes, identify acute and obtuse angles and compare and order angles up to two right angles by size, identify lines of symmetry in 2-D shapes presented in different orientations, complete a simple symmetric figure with respect to a specific line of symmetry, describe positions on a 2-D grid as coordinates in the first quadrant, describe movements between positions as translations of a given unit to the left/right and up/down,  plot specified points and draw sides to complete a given polygon.

Visit the primary mathematics webpage to access all lists.

Faces Co-ordinates

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: mathsticks

Based on the game of battleships, this activity is an effective way of practising grid references and co-ordinates. Children take it in turns to roll two dice and place a counter on the board; the faces of the dice determine the co-ordinates where their counter can go.

Included in the activity are instructions on how to play and two game-boards, each with a grid of 36 faces. One board contains numeric grid references on the y axis and letters along the x axis, the second board has only numeric grid references.

Paper Magic: Folding Polygons

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Educational Television Company

Use coloured paper to create polygons including a square, triangles, kites, rhombi, and a regular pentagon, hexagon and an octagon. This hands-on activity links well with following instructions in literacy and could help children find out about the properties of different shapes. The colourful shapes could be part of a great classroom display too!

Starting Algebra / Shape and Space

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Collins Educational

A collection of 20 activity sheets which could be used in class to practise various aspects of shape and space. Aimed at curriculum levels 1-3, there are opportunities for using them with the whole class or to support children with work in data handling. The shape and space activity sheets start at page 50 of the pdf.

Shape and Space

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Teachers TV

The first 6 minutes of this video show how children are guided into constructing 3-D shapes from 2-D diagrams using drinking straws and modelling dough. This is a great way of learning about the properties of 3-D shapes, including faces, edges and vertices and also a great way of assessing this learning. In the plenary, children play a game where they listen to the properties of a shape being described. including the shape of the faces. This idea could link into the resource Amazing Triangles below.

Amazing Triangles - Science

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Science Foundation Ireland

The triangle is a strong shape and is the basis of building many structures. Look for 3-D shapes in the real world and then have fun building building cubes and triangular-based pyramids using sweets and cocktail sticks. This activity will help children experience how 3-D shapes are constructed from 2-D shapes and their use in the real world. It also links into work on D&T. Challenge children to build a structure that uses both triangles and squares, looking at criteria such as height or strength.

2D and 3D Shapes

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS)

The first five activities allow children to work in groups, sorting and classifying shapes according to their properties. The activity  2D shapes classification allows children to develop thinking skills whilst working collaboratively classifying shapes according to their own criteria. Other activities link into this one and could be used in main activity group work.

Shape and Space Activities

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: Department for Education

Page 14 is an activity carried out in pairs which helps children describe and visualise 2-D shapes. A suggestion for extension is to create a mirror image of the pictures. Children could create their own pictures using 2-D shapes and write instructions for how to create them, This activity also helps children learn about position, direction and making clockwise and anticlockwise turns.

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: SMILE

This resource comprises a series of activities linked to reflective symmetry. Children identify lines of symmetry in 2-D shapes by folding them. It also looks at pictures of different objects asking children to spot lines of symmetry. There is  an activity where children complete pictures reflected in a mirror line.

NRICH:National Flags

This problem explores the shapes and symmetries in some national flags.

Reflective Symmetry

Links to a lesson idea for teaching reflective symmetry. It also includes a symmetry artist drawing tool which produces images which exhibit reflective symmetry as you draw. Children could create their own pictures and patterns in a linked maths ICT lesson or as one activity as part of the main lesson.

Shape Games for Students Aged 9-11

Quality Assured Category: Mathematics Publisher: BEAM Education

Angles is a game for 2 players. Children identify acute and obtuse angles in different shapes. This activity is suitable for use as a classroom activity after teaching children about different angles. A complementary activity could be to give children a series of cards showing different angles up to 180 degrees and asking them in pairs to order them from smallest to largest. Then to sort them into acute or obtuse angles.

The Co-ordinates grid game  is an opportunity for children to practise plotting co-ordinates.  

Name that shape can be used to practise the number of right angles or number of lines of symmetry in 2-D shapes. Could also be used to plot given points and to draw and identify different polygons with children working in twos to find them all as fast as they can. 

15 Fun, Hands-On Activities for Learning About 2D and 3D Shapes

A selection of fun, hands-on math activities for learning about 2D and 3D shapes.

When we think of early mathematical learning, we typically think firstly of numbers. But there is a whole other world of mathematics to enjoy and explore and that is the world of shapes! This post includes fifteen ideas for learning about 2D and 3D shapes (and their properties) in fun and ‘hands on’ ways!

15 Fun, Hands-On Activities for Learning About 2D and 3D shapes

Ideas for Learning About 2-Dimensional Shapes

Between the ages of two and four years, children typically begin to learn the names of simple 2D shapes incidentally; generally learning about circles, squares and triangles to begin with. We see them in picture books, on TV shows and in every day life (does anyone else’s toddler insist on their sandwiches being cut into a certain shape?) In their first years of school children will build on this knowledge, learning about rectangles, ovals, hexagons, pentagons and octagons, just to name a few.

1. Head Off On a Shape Hunt

A great way to kick start learning about shapes (whether it be at school or home) is with a ‘shape hunt’ – exploring and identifying shapes in our environment and everyday life. You can go on a shape hunt around your house, backyard, classroom or neighbourhood. Older children can take a checklist or paper to record their findings on, while younger children will enjoy discussing what you see as you go. Photographing the shapes you find is another great idea, with the photos being perfect for compiling into your very own shape book.

2. Popstick Play

Popsticks and matchsticks are such versatile learning materials. They make a great resource for creating 2D shapes.

3. Self Correcting Popstick Puzzle

Take the above activity one step further and make a self correcting puzzle by using the one colour for each shape, writing the name of the shape on each popstick and including the number of sides/corners. This makes a great busy bag .

4. Pipe Cleaner Creations

Pipe cleaners provide a great workout for finger muscles. They can be bent and twisted to create a variety of 2D shapes. As a variation, make the shapes larger by using one pipe cleaner for each side of the shape.

5. Playdough Fun

Playdough is also a useful tool for exploring shapes. Adding a set of geometric cookie cutters ( like this one ) to playdough play is a super easy way to add shapes to your day.

6. Shape Collages

Kindergarten and school aged children will have lots of fun creating pictures with shapes. I created these two as example,s using a variety of shapes cut from textured papers and buttons.

7. Pretty Pattern Blocks

Pattern blocks are one of my favourite classroom materials. Not only are children learning about 2D shapes when they play with them, but also other mathematical concepts such as symmetry, tessellation, pattern, sorting, counting and so much more. This activity could either be left unstructured for the children to make their own pictures, patterns and shapes, or you can use pattern block activity cards as a guide.

8. Sing About Shapes

Here’s a cute little song to help preschoolers learn 2D shapes. It works best with a group of children, with everyone holding a shape (sing to the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It).

If you’re holding a square stand up! If you’re holding a square stand up! If you’re holding a square, if you’re holding a square If you’re holding a square stand up. Repeat with other shapes

Fun Ideas for Learning About 3-Dimensional Shapes

9. Fantastic Feely Bags

When I’m introducing the topic of shapes to my class, I always start with a ‘feely bag’. The idea being that the children feel the shapes in the bag without looking, trying to identify each shape using only their sense of touch. We discuss – How does it feel? Does it have pointy corners? Does it feel round? Once the children are familiar with names of the shapes, it’s fun to guess the shape they’re holding before revealing it!

10. Wonderful Wooden Blocks

Generally speaking in the first year of school you could expect your child to learn the shapes pictured above; rectangular prism, pyramid, cylinder, cone, cube and sphere. 3D wooden blocks are a great resource for talking about the features of 3D shapes (and the 2D shapes they are made up of).

11. Test It: Stack, Roll or Slide?

As children learn 3D shapes, it’s fun to explore how they move and interact with each other. Set up a simple ramp and test each shape to see if it rolls down the hill or slides? Next, test each shape to see if it can be stacked easily on top of another shape. Explore your child’s understanding of why a shape does (or does not) roll, slide or stack.

12. 3D Playdough Shapes

Add matchsticks to playdough and invite children to create 2D and 3D shapes.

13. 3D Shape Models

Moulding 3D Shapes from playdough or kinetic sand is a fun, hands-on challenge.

14. Nifty Nets

School aged children can begin to explore the concept of ‘nets’. A net is a 3D shape flattened out. These plastic polydrons are a fantastic tool to teach this concept. Making your own die cube is a great place to start! (Once again we see 3D shapes in our everyday life). Here’s a link to a free die template printable from Teachers Pay Teachers.

15. 3D Shape Rhyme

Finally here’s a simple 3D shape rhyme to help children connect the name of the shape to real life objects.

3D Shapes are fat not flat A cone is like a party hat A sphere is a bouncy ball A prism is a building tall A cylinder is like a can of pop A cube is like the dice you drop 3D shapes are here and there 3D shapes are everywhere!

What are your favourite activity ideas for learning about 2D and 3D shapes?

You may also like;

Lauren Hunt is an Early Childhood Teacher who currently works part time teaching children in their first year of school. She is also mum to a two year old daughter. Lauren is passionate about play-based, hands-on learning and is certainly kept busy by her energetic toddler!

Dear Ms. Lauren,

Wonderful activities for the kids to explore with shapes. Good job.

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3D Shapes Printable Building Activity for Children

Admin 3D Shapes Printable Building Activity for Children

This printable building activity encourages children to think three-dimensionally with 2D paper shapes that simulate 3D imagery--in other words, consolidate their knowledge.

• Free Printable Worksheets
• Shape Activities
• Shapes Worksheets

The cards show various buildings that can be created with individual pieces and then there are paper pieces with those shapes that children can utilize to try and copy what the card's model.

Building Example Cards and Shapes Cards

Below are the printables for the activity.

This activity has 4 sheets total, 2 with the sample buildings and 2 with the shape that are used to replicate the buildings. You can print out all of these images and then cut out the individual 3D figures.

Then you can request for a student to build the house-shape that looks just like one of the modeled ones.

Once the children model all of the buildings made out of shapes they also can use the 3D shapes to build their own new buildings!

How to Download This File

This file of the teeth brushing printable can be downloaded completely for free!  You can click here to learn more.

You also have the option to purchase shape activity at this website.

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