Shapes & colours
Shape tracing and matching
Trace generous shape outlines, match the names and turn a printed page into a simple shape hunt.
3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Picture cards · Free printable
First shapes flashcards
Start with a circle, a square and a triangle, then add more shapes when your child wants another challenge. These uncluttered cards make it easy to point, name, compare and look for the same shapes around you. There is no need to remember every name in one sitting.
Take a little peek8 items · Original illustrations
circle
square
triangle
rectangle
oval
star
Big clear pictures. Labels you can reveal.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Notice the outlines of familiar flat shapes and begin using words such as straight, curved, side and corner.
A little way to play
- Choose two or three cards. Name each shape slowly while pointing around its outline.
- Ask “Can you find the circle?” before asking your child to name a shape without help. Pointing is a useful response.
- Hide a label, invite a guess, then reveal it together. If the answer is different, simply model the name.
- Look for a similar outline on a book, plate or window. Talk about what matches and what looks different.
Make it easier
Offer two very different shapes, such as a circle and triangle. You can move a finger round the edge together or make a large outline in the air.
Try a little moreTurn a triangle or square around. Does its name change? Compare a square with a rectangle: both have four straight sides, and a square has four equal sides.
For the grown-up
The diamond card shows a rhombus. “Diamond” is an everyday shape name; introduce “rhombus” when useful. A rotated square is still a square. Star and heart are familiar outlines rather than the same kind of geometric category.
Answers & naming help
Circle: round, with no straight sides. Square: four equal sides and four right angles. Triangle: three sides. Rectangle: four right angles. Oval: an elongated curved outline. Star: five points here. Heart: the familiar heart outline. Diamond: a rhombus with four equal sides.
circle · square · triangle · rectangle · oval · star · heart · diamond
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Helpful parent guides
Keep the discoveries going.
More shapes & colours ↗Shapes & colours
Colour flashcards
Ten bold colour cards for naming, sorting and finding familiar objects, with clear labels for grown-ups.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Shapes & colours
Colour scavenger hunt
A flexible colour hunt for the living room, classroom or outdoors. Point to a find or bring back a safe object.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity