The Ultimate Guide of Shape Activities: 25 Hands-on, Sensory-based ways to practice learning, writing and identifying shapes

Gina
2 days ago
11 min read

In this BLOG post I will teach you all of my favorite ways to practice shapes.

Learning early math skills, such as shapes can be fun, engaging, sensory-driven and hands-on! One of the most powerful ways children absorb knowledge is through movement, touch, and play.

This post rounds up 25 hands-on, sensory-rich activities that turn learning shapes into a full-body experience, perfect for preschoolers, kindergartners, and any child who thrives through exploration.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, these ideas will help you spark curiosity, build foundational math skills, and make learning shapes irresistibly fun. I included as many printable resources as possible throughout the post.

Click HERE for our favorite SHAPES tools for learning and play!

A Play Filled Life is part of an affiliate program and may receive a small commission on eligible products at no extra cost to you.

Click below to check out these other posts:

The Ultimate Guide to Letters

The Ultimate Guide to Numbers

Loose Parts Play

Materials:

Loose parts
Shape Cards (Linked HERE )

Step 1: Download and print the shape cards.

Step 2: Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: If possible, laminate for durability. You can also place them in sheet protectors.

Step 4: Use loose parts to form the shapes. We used counting bears (Linked HERE ) but you can use anything that you have: craft pom poms, small plastic animals, gems, rocks, erasers etc.

Shape Craft Stick Puzzles

Materials:

Craft sticks
Painters tape
Markers

Step 1: Count out six craft sticks and use a piece of painter's tape to stick them together.

Step 2: Once you have the six sticks taped together, flip them over so the tape is on the back.

Step 3: Use a marker to draw a shape: circle, square, triangle, rectangle etc.

Step 4: Once the shape is drawn and colored in, peel the tape off the back. Now you have a shape puzzle!

Step 5: Spread out the craft sticks and encourage the child to put them together to form the shape!

You can scaffold learning here by adding numbers in the correct order, on the craft sticks!

Shape Threading

Materials:

String/yarn
Shape Cards (Linked HERE )
Hole punch
Scissors

Step 1: Download and print the shape cards.

Step 2: Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: If possible, laminate for durability.

Step 4: Hole punch the circles on each shape.

Step 5: Using the string, thread in and out of each hole, moving around the shape!

APFL Tip: You want the thread to be long enough to go through the entire shape. If it keeps sliding out, tie a knot in the first hole. Encourage the child to follow the shape the same way that they would write it.

Shaving Cream Writing

Materials:

Sensory tray or baking sheet
Shaving cream
Shape Tracing Cards (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the shape tracing cards.

Step 2: If possible, laminate for durability. Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Squirt shaving cream on your sensory tray. You want just enough to cover the tray in a thin layer; if you use too much it will be hard to write in!

Step 4: Using your finger, practice drawing the shapes in the shaving cream. Wipe away and keep practicing!

If your child is sensory sensitive, use a dry paintbrush to draw in the shaving cream, instead of their finger.

Erase the Shape

Materials:

Chalkboard
Chalk
Sponge (cut into small pieces)
Shape Tracing cards (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the shape tracing cards.

Step 2: Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Depending on the child's age, have them draw the shape with chalk or write it for them, if they are not quite there yet.

Step 4: Wet the sponge and squeeze out the excess water. Use the sponge to trace the shape, erasing the lines as you go. This is a fun and simple way to work on fine motor skills and writing practice.

Do you have a chalkboard hanging up? Vertical play (writing on a wall/raised surface) is AMAZING for strengthening motor skills!

Magnetic Shapes

Materials:

Magnetic Chips and wand (Linked HERE)
Shape Cards (Linked HERE )

Step 1: Download and print the shape cards.

Step 2: Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Use your finger to trace the shape.

Step 4: Place the magnetic chips around the lines and curves of the shape. Use the wand to swipe them away, mimicking the way you would draw the shape!

Magnets are a choking hazard. You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.

Salt Tray Writing

Materials:

Sensory tray or baking sheet
Salt
Rainbow mat (FREE download HERE)
Shape Tracing cards (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Sprinkle a thin layer of salt on the tray. It should be just enough to cover the surface.

Step 2: Print out shape cards.

Step 3: Use your finger or a dry paint brush to practice writing the shapes.

If you want to use the rainbow mat for an extra layer of sensory goodness, print it out and tape it down to your sensory tray or baking sheet. Sprinkle the salt right on top of it!

Play Dough Mats

Materials:

Play Dough
Scissors
Sensory tray
Road Shape Play Dough Mats (Linked HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the shape play dough mats.

Step 2: Laminate for durability or place in sheet protectors. Determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Use your finger to trace the shape.

Step 4: Roll the play dough into "snakes" and use it to form the shapes. Talk about the name of the shape, things that are that shape and where you have seen them before!

Want to make your own play dough? Try the BEST play dough recipe ever. Click HERE!!

Sensory Bag Writing

Materials:

Gallon size Ziploc Bag
Washable paint
Painters tape
Shape Tracing cards (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Print out the cards and laminate for durability (if possible).

Step 2: In the Ziploc bag, squirt just enough paint to create a thin layer inside the bag. Get out all of the air and seal it. Use the tape to secure it closed and/or tape it down to your surface.

Step 3: Pick a few shapes to work on. Trace the shapes on the card with your finger. Then, use your finger to trace the shape on the sensory bag.

This is a great mess-free way to incorporate sensory play into learning!

Wikki Stix Shape Building

Materials:

Wikki Stix
Road Shape Play Dough Mats (Linked HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the road shape mats.

Step 2: If possible, laminate for durability or put in sheet protectors. Determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Use the Wikki Stix to build the shapes, right on top of the cards. Follow the straight and curvy lines with the wikki stix. Talk about the name of the shape and items that represent that shape.

Step 4: Pull the wikki stix off and save again for next time.

Car Tracing

Materials:

Matchbox car
Road Shape Play Dough Mats (Linked HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the road shape mats.

Step 2: If possible, laminate for durability or put in sheet protectors. Determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Use the matchbox car to drive the lines and curves of the shapes. This is perfect for the car lovers but you can also use small plastic animals, small characters, pom poms, gems, etc.

Sensory Bin Button Match

Materials:

Sensory bin or bowl
Dry sensory base (rice, beans, chickpeas, pasta)
Plastic or silicone shape buttons (our favorites are linked HERE)
Shape mats (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Pour your base into your sensory bin or bowl.

Step 2: Add in your shape buttons and mix around.

Step 3: Print out the shape mats and choose which one to use. This may vary based on what buttons/shapes you have and how many different shapes you are working on at once.

You can use them to just play: simply scooping and pouring and playing is such great fine motor work and exposure.

If you want to extend your learning:

Call out a shape and have them find it and match it.
Call out a simple pattern (circle, square, circle, square) and ask them to find the shape that comes next.

For added fine motor work, use tongs or tweezers to pick up the shapes and place them on the mat!

If you want to learn how to dye a dry sensory base, read our blog post HERE!

Shape Sticker Sort

Materials:

Shape stickers (our favorites linked HERE)
Shape Posters (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Print out the shape posters.

Step 2: Determine which shapes you are going to work on.

Step 3: Encourage the child to peel the stickers (great fine motor work) and trace the lines and curves of the shapes with the stickers.

Don't have shape stickers? No problem! Use dot stickers or ANY stickers that you have!

Don't want to use stickers? That's OK too! Color them, draw on them, trace them, use them however you see fit!

Shape Threading

Materials:

Sensory bin or bowl
Dry sensory base (rice, beans, chickpeas, pasta)
Shape buttons (linked HERE!)

Step 1: Pour your base into your sensory bin or bowl.

Step 2: Add in your shape buttons and mix around.

Step 3: The buttons come with string. String the shape on as you play.

You can use them to just play, simply scooping and pouring and exploring the buttons and sensory bin.

If you want to extend your learning:

Call out a shape and have them find it and string it.
Practice making simple patterns with colors or shapes.
Sort the buttons by color or shape.

If you want to learn how to dye a dry sensory base, read our blog post HERE!

Shape Sorting

Materials:

Shape Sorting Mats (Linked HERE)
Scissors
Four cups or bowls

Step 1: Print the shape sorting mats and cut them out. Laminate for durability, if possible.

Step 2: Cut a slit in the four large shapes (circle, rectangle, square, triangle) large enough for the smaller cards to slide through.

Step 3: Tape the large shapes to a cup or bowl.

Step 4: Identify the picture on each card (this is great vocabulary building) and then determine which shape it represents. Drop it into the correct shape cup!

Want to add in some movement? Hide the cards around your home or outdoors. Search. Find. Sort!

If you want to learn how to dye a dry sensory base, read our blog post HERE!

Water Play

Materials:

Sensory tray or bowl
Water
Scoops
Bowls
Shape Sponges (Linked HERE)

Step 1: Fill the sensory tray or bowl halfway with water.

Step 2: Add in shapes, scoops and bowls. PLAY!

Just squeezing the sponges is great fine motor work!

Extend your learning by talking about the colors of the shapes, their names and items around your home that represent each one.

Q-Tip Tracing

Materials:

Q-tip
Washable paint
Shape Tracing Sheet (FREE download HERE)

Step 1: Download and print the shape tracing sheet.

Step 2: Use your finger to trace the shapes.

Step 3: Dip your q-tip in paint (even better fine motor work if you cut the q-tip in half! It puts fingers into the pincer grasp) and trace the shapes.

If you don't want to use paint, you don't have to! Trace the lines with a highlighter, pencil, crayon or marker!

Flashlight Shape Sort

Materials:

Flashlight Shape Sort (Linked HERE)
Construction paper (light color)
Scissors
Glue stick or tape

Step 1: Download and print the flashlight shape sort.

Step 2: Leave the colorful mat as is (or glue it down to a larger piece of construction paper.

Step 3: Glue the sorting cards to a piece of light colored construction paper- you want the construction paper to be on TOP of the cards, so they are completely covered. Cut them out.

Step 4: If you are able, laminate for durability.

Step 5: Use a flashlight and shine it on the BACK of the flashcards, revealing the magic shape! Identify the shape and sort it on the mat!

Shape Sticker Sort

Materials:

Shape stickers (our favorites linked HERE)
Markers
Cardboard or construction paper

Step 1: Use the markers to draw the shapes (I used the same color markers to match the stickers).

Step 2: Encourage your child to identify the shapes and sort them!

No shape stickers? No problem! Use dot stickers or any stickers you have and stick them along the lines and curves of the shapes!

I-Spy Shapes

Materials:

Shape Wands (FREE download HERE)
Scissors

Step 1: Print out the shape wands. Laminate, if possible, for durability.

Step 2: Cut the inside center of each shape out so you can see through, like a wand. If you are laminating them, cut the inside out first, then laminate!

Step 3: Walk around your home, yard, street or part. Search for all of the shapes around us! Use your wand to find them.

Shape Wands

Materials:

Pipe cleaners
Pony beads (Craft set linked HERE)
Sensory tray or bowl

Step 1: Take a pipe cleaner and fold it over and twist it into itself. This will form a circle/oval shape.

Step 2: Move the pipe cleaner around until it forms your desired shape: circle, square, triangle, rectangle, heart etc.

Step 3: Encourage your child to thread the beads on to the pipe cleaner wands. You can put the beads on randomly, sort them by color, make a pattern or even add letter beads!

Step 4: Leave a bit of pipe cleaner after the last bead. Twist it around the bead to secure them all and keep them from falling off.

Once your wands are complete, you can use them in so many different ways!

Walk around your home or yard and search for objects that are the same shape.
Use them as "magic wands".
Use them as reading wands, pointing to each word as you read.
Use them to blow bubbles! Dip them in bubble solution and blow!

Shape Activity Books

Materials:

Shape Books (Linked HERE)
Scissors
Stapler
Pencil

Step 1: Download and print the shape books. There are four books: triangle, square, rectangle, circle.

Step 2: Separate the books into shapes and cut down the middle of each page, putting them together to form a book. Staple each book together.

Step 3: Pick which shape you want to work on and complete the book together!

This was a highly requested resource! Each book is ten pages: each shape book follows the exact same sequence. I t combines paper/pencil tasks with hands-on learning opportunities. Each shape books incorporates sensory play, learning and exploration.

Play Dough Smoosh

Materials:

Play Dough
Scissors
Sensory tray
Shape Cards (Linked HERE )

Step 1: Download and print the shape cards.

Step 2: Cut out the cards and determine which shapes you are working on.

Step 3: Laminate for durability or place in sheet protectors.

Step 4: Roll the play dough into balls and put one on each circle. This is SO good for little fingers and helps to strengthen fine motor skills.

Step 5: Once each circle is full, encourage your child to use their point finger to smoosh and flatten each ball of dough!

Want to make your own play dough? Try the BEST play dough recipe ever. Click HERE!!

Shape Stamping

Materials:

Butcher paper or construction paper
Washable paint
Shape stamps (Linked HERE)

Step 1: Tape down the butcher paper or construction paper. Be sure to find a 'sensory' spot in your home that is a safe spot to paint.

Step 2: Squirt a few drops of paint onto a plate or sensory tray.

Step 3: Dip the shape stampers into the paint and create! They can create a picture, stamp randomly, smoosh them together...whatever they want to do!

Want to extend your learning?

Once they are done, count the shapes together. How many circles did you make? Which shape did you make the most? Which one has the least number of stamps?
Incorporate more math skills: "Can you make five circles? How about three blue triangles?"
Use the paper to make a card for a friend or family member.
Work on making and extending patterns. "Circle, square, circle, square...what should we stamp next?"

Play Dough Stamping