Learning about shapes can be fun and simple! It is also an important skill for children to learn. Make learning and recognizing basic shapes engaging with this Shape Sorting Activity for Preschool. Grab an old yoga mat and some paint for this activity that makes math meaningful and hands-on.
Earlier in the school year I created a DIY Sensory Path using an old yoga mat and my students loved it. It was easy to create so I started making other hands-on activities with old yoga mats. This shape sorting activity is my latest and my students new favorite.
Yoga mats have become my new favorite material to use to create unique, and popular centers in my classroom. They are easy to repurpose, and if you don’t have an old one they are often available at a local dollar store. The benefit to a yoga mat is that it can be rolled up when not in use and takes up very little space. Plus, it’s easy to set up by just rolling it out.
Shape Sorting Activity for Preschool Materials
To create your shape sorting mat, all you need are the following items:
- An Old Yoga Mat
- Paint (Acrylic Works Well)
- Free Printable Template
- Protective Spray (Optional)
The template is available to download, for free at the bottom of this post. You can print it and use it for an idea of how you want to set your mat up.
The shapes don’t need to be perfectly drawn, but a variety of shapes is best.
Math Activity for Young Kids
I used simple 2D shapes that we have been focusing on in the classroom, but you can draw any combination of shapes, including 3D shapes.
Once you have decided which shapes you want to include, start by tracing them onto the mat. The easiest way to create the shapes is to find objects around your home, or classroom and trace them onto the yoga mat.
Place the objects down and trace. Once traced, add bright, colorful paint to make each shape stand out.
Draw as many shapes as you want children to focus on, or however many you have room for on your mat. Once dry, you can choose to add a protective coating to the mat (usually a spray).
Shape Sorting Activity for Preschool
Once your mat is dry, you’re ready to begin using it. There are lots of activities you can use the mat for. A few ideas are shared below.
Shape Hunt
When I used the mat in my kindergarten classroom, I unrolled it on our carpet and challenged small groups of children to search the classroom to find an item to match each shape. They then placed the object onto the shape on the mat. For example, a tissue box filled the rectangular shape and an elastic became the circle.
This is a great way to make math meaningful and connected to the real world. Children see shapes in the everyday objects around them. It’s also a great way to get kids up and moving as they learn.
Shape Sorting Activity for Preschool
Place a number onto each shape. Challenge children to find that specific number of that shape and place that number of the objects inside the painted shape.
Fill a bag with lots of items of different shapes. Children reach into the bag and pull out a shape. They then have to match the shape object to the corresponding shape painted on the mat.
Shape Stomp
Use the mat as a hop scotch type board. Call a shape and have a child jump onto the corresponding shape. This is a quick and easy way to test if a child recognizes and can identify the different shapes. It’s also a blast for kids!
Balance Challenge
Give kids a shape, such as a ball and have them balance the shape on their head while balancing, with one leg on the shape on the mat. Count to ten and then change the shape for them to balance on, and on their head.
Free Shape Sorting Activity for Preschool
Download Here
Make setting up your shape sorting activity for preschool quick and easy with the free printable template. Click and subscribe through Grow by clicking the grey box below. Once you subscribe this way all of the other freebies on this site will be unlocked.
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