Free Printable Shape Matching Game for Desert Theme

Learning Shapes in Early Childhood

This hands-on activity teaches 2D shape identification and shape words. And for the kids who may not be ready for shape names, you can delve into shape attributes, comparing and contrasting, and sorting! In addition to this fun shape matching game, we have tons of exciting shape printables and activities in our math collection.

Differentiate the difficulty of this cactus-themed shapes game by adjusting how many pairs you are working with. Start with three pairs and then increase as attention span and shape knowledge increases.

For younger students, you can start with all the cards facing up for a simple matching activity. This allows students to focus on learning the shapes without getting distracted by the need to remember where the cards are.

Materials needed for the Free Printable Desert Shape Matching Game:

• Paper
• Laminating Supplies
• Paper Cutter

To prep: Print the cactus shapes matching game on the white side of the scrapbook paper (or on card stock), laminate and cut apart the cards.

How to Play the Desert Shape Matching Game

Just like playing the classic version of Memory Match, begin by placing the cards face down in a grid.

The first player flips over two cards, leaving them in the grid. If the cards match, they may remove both cards and continue to flip over two more cards.

When two cards are turned over that do not match, it is the next person’s turn. Play continues until all cards have been matched. The player with the most cards in their match pile is the winner!

Teacher Tip: Young children often want to grab the cards off the grid right away without noticing if they are a match or not. If the cards don’t match and several other cards are missing from the grid, it can be difficult to know where the cards actually go. I always stress to FLIP the cards on the grid, then LOOK to see if they match. In other words, “FLIP and LOOK!”

This is a great way to work on 2D shapes with a partner or in a small group.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Teaching Shapes to Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

Engage Students with Hands-On Learning

As any early childhood educator understands after day one of teaching littles, you’ve got to keep learning imaginative! It’s all about holding their interest, so that the lines between “learning” and “playing” are constantly blurred!

We want young kids engaged, curious, comfortable, and eager to explore. A set of shape cards can easily fit the bill! Although the cards are intended to be used in a classic game of “Memory Match,” don’t let that stop you! Students will love it if you mix it up a bit!

Try a scavenger hunt, where you hide half of the cards around the room and ask the kids to search for a card, then match it and repeat. Or, use the same idea, but hide the cards in a sensory bin rather than around the room.

Play a game of “What’s Missing?” by lining up a set of shape cards or blocks, ask students to close their eyes, then remove a shape and ask kids to open their eyes and guess which shape is missing from the lineup.

If your kids like play dough, they’ll love our Exploring Shapes with Playdough printable activity cards.

What do preschoolers need to know about shapes?

Learning shapes ultimately helps children differentiate between objects by looking at characteristics. At the preschool and kindergarten level, students are working on:

• Naming shapes
• Identifying how many sides
• Identifying lines as curved and straight
• Counting the number of sides on each shape
• Identifying corners