Learning 2D shapes in kindergarten is an important content standard. Practicing with hands-on games is the best way to do it! This fruit themed shape matching game is a fun way for students to practice recognizing and naming shapes. And you might even top it off with a delicious fruity snack! It’s super easy to download and print the shape matching printable to put in your lesson plans all year long.
Recommended Grade Level:
2D Shape Matching Game
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- Laminating Supplies
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Learning About 2D Shapes in Early Childhood
MATCHING SHAPES WORKSHEETS AND ACTIVITIES
LEARNING BOTH 2D AND 3D SHAPES IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM.
Shapes are literally everywhere. In our homes, outside, along the road, in stores, and in the books we read to our kids. And wouldn’t you know – kids who are learning shapes will see and point out every single one of them. Do your kids do that? It’s sweet, isn’t it?
This free printable fruit themed matching shape game is great if your kids are just being introduced to shapes, need a review, or if you’re wanting a game that a variety of ages and levels can play. It is perfect for a preschool classroom or a family.
The preschool shape game printable is perfect for helping children practice shape recognition as well as naming the shapes. My kids love themed matching games, as do I, but I also love how incredibly low prep this activity is. Once it is prepared the first time it is ready to go time after time!
In addition to learning to recognize and name shapes, you can get kids thinking about comparing and contrasting shapes, too:
- How many sides does this shape have?
- Can you count the corners?
- Is this shape made of curved lines or straight lines?
- Can you find items in the room that are this shape?
What Can Preschoolers Learn With Shape Matching Cards?
SHAPE GAMES IN PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN
TEACHING 2D SHAPES OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS-ON EXPLORATION.
This shape activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners is ideal because kids won’t even know they are learning! They’ll have fun while engaging with all the shapes we want them to know.
Shapes included in the activity:
- Circle
- Square
- Rectangle
- Triangle
- Pentagon
- Trapezoid
- Rhombus
- Octagon
- Oval
Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn About Shapes?
Children are naturally curious about everything around them. Learning about shapes lays an important math foundation.
Background Knowledge
Learning about shapes even transfers over to learning to recognize and write letters and numbers! When young kids begin reading instruction, they see shapes and lines first, then they begin to learn letter/number identification.
Spatial Relationships
Piecing together shapes in a puzzle, for example, or placing shapes into a block sorter, helps develop spatial relationships and problem solving.
Visual Discrimination
Learning to discriminate different shapes helps sharpen observation skills. It’s one of the first opportunities to compare and contrast based on visual characteristics.
Geometry
Although geometry instruction comes much later, learning basic 2D and 3D shapes is the first step for children to build early understandings.
Tools you’ll need
Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here. Click the pictures above to get what you need.
How to Make The Fruit Theme 2D Shapes Matching Game
Step One:
I love to print matching games on the white side of scrapbook paper. It is an easy way to make bright, fun games and make it harder for kids to see through the cards and “cheat” when they are trying to make matches.
Step Two:
(optional) Laminate the game pieces. This will ensure durability, which is necessary when working with kids! Cut out the laminated pieces and you can start setting up the game for small groups.
Step Three:
Decide how many pieces you will play with per game depending on the child who is playing. Some children may get overwhelmed if ALL of the game pieces are used. Maybe use 2-3 shapes from the shapes printable for toddlers and preschoolers at first.
Step Four:
Lay the game pieces upside down on a flat surface as a table or the floor. We like to line them up in a grid to ensure we can pick the right matches.
Step Five:
Take turns picking two game pieces. If they match, you get to keep them. If they don’t, put the cards face down back into the game.
Step Six:
Continue until all of the matches are found.
Our Favorite Fruit Theme Books:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging books from affiliate links:
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Fruit Alphabet (Mrs. Peanuckle’s Alphabet)
Fruit BowlEating the AlphabetEat Your Colors (Rookie Toddler)Grow: A Family Guide to Growing Fruits and Vegetables (Discover Together Guides)
Sensory Bin
Improve fine motor skills by hiding half of the cards in the sensory bin and keep the matches on the table. Children must search and find a card in the bin, then find its match on the table.
Play Dough
Children can use the visual cards as a guide to create the shapes with play dough, rollers, cutters, and other accessories.
Shapes Posters
Support students in their 2D shape activities by hanging shape posters in the room to easily reference at any time.
Pattern Blocks
Sort pattern blocks, using some of the shape cards as heading cards. Then, challenge students to create unique designs and patterns with the blocks.
I Spy
Use the matching cards as an I Spy game by placing cards face up and taking turns describing one shape. For example, “I spy a shape with four straight sides and four corners.”
2D Shapes Worksheet
Turn the game shape cards into a worksheet by printing and leaving the page uncut. Students can write the shape names on the blank cards.
Download Fruit Theme Shape Matching Game Here
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