This simple toddler shape match activity is a perfect matching game for little ones. The shape puzzles helps children to recognise matching pairs, as well as developing their understanding of different shapes. It is so easy to set up and requires very little resources! If you are looking for a simple educational game for your little one, try this!
We’ve been learning all about shapes recently, so this shape puzzle was a perfect activity. I love how it provides so many learning opportunities in a fun and engaging way.
What you’ll need:
- A tuff tray or play tray – alternatively grab a large sheet of paper, preferably A3 or larger.
- A tub/container of wooden shapes (or any other 2D/3D shapes you may have)
- Coloured pens
For this set up, I used chalk markers to draw on the tuff tray – https://rb.gy/nmjn0p
These are so bright and easy to wipe off with just a wet cloth.
If you don’t have any shapes to hand, you could draw some on cardboard and cut out, or find some different shapes from objects around the house.
I chose a variety of 3d wooden shapes and drew around these on the tuff tray. Then it’s your toddler’s job to pick a shape and find its match! Can they tell you what the name of the shape is? How many sides does it have?
How this toddler shape match activity supports development:
Mathematics – Develops a child’s ability to match and pair items together, as well as learning about shapes and their properties.
Communication and language – This puzzle is such a great opportunity to talk to your child about what they can see and find out. Try to use shape names to help develop their vocabulary and talk about what each shape looks like. How are they the same/different? Is there anything else in the room that is the same shape?
At the end of the activity, all of the shapes should be matched like this! We also enjoyed having a go at building some towers with the shapes too.
I hope you and your little one enjoy having a go at this shape match activity. If you enjoy simple and educational play ideas, you might also like this fine motor activity https://theeducatormum.co.uk/rescue-the-bugs-fine-motor-activity/.