It is really fun for kids to make shapes and letters using their bodies. It teaches them cooperation and is great for visual spatial skills. This activity can be done at any age. I remember doing it in high school and college acting classes as a silent group cooperation activity. Younger children may need verbal cues and direction. We found that our kids figured some shapes out easily with no help, but required direction on other shapes.
Making Shapes With Our Bodies-Group Activity
- Break children into groups appropriate for each shape. Call out the name of the shape and have children work together to form the shape providing assistance as needed.
- If you have a camera, take photos of the children in the shapes and show them what they look like on the computer. It is hard for them to visualize what they look like when their bodies form the shapes.
- If you do not have a camera, have groups take turns so that the other children can see what the shapes look like.
- Start with easy shapes such as a triangle or square and move towards more complicated shapes, such as a circle, oval, pentagon and hexagon.
- On another day, have them make capital letters with their bodies.
School Smart Wooden Pattern Blocks are great for hands on learning about shapes. This set does not come with pattern cards but you can easily find those online and print them for home or classroom use.
Solid Shapes (Geometry Song) from Common Core Kinder Math with Miss Jenny is a fun song (only 99 cents to download) which can be used to teach shapes such as cones and cubes. You could easily develop movements to go along with the song or use props.
For even MORE ways to play with SHAPES in Early Childhood, please visit the activity suggestions from the #TeachECE team below:
Shiny Showy Shapes Alliteration Fun by Growing Book by Book
Roll and Cover The Shapes Alphabet Activity by Mom Inspired Life
Shapes Preschool Theme Sand Writing Tray by Learning 2 Walk
Shape Sensory Squish Bag by Still Playing School
Shape I Spy for Preschoolers: Free Printable by Life Over Cās
Exploring Shapes with Yarn by Tiny Tots Adventures
Playdough Shapes Building Challenge for Preschoolers by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
DIY Shapes Puzzle by Munchkins and Moms
Preschool Shape Hunt Activities by Fun-A-Day.
How fun!! My kids would get so excited about this!
Oh this sounds like so much fun. I would have loved to do this activity with my kindergarteners.
Hi Danielle.
I hope your kids enjoy trying it out.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi Tricia.
This would be perfect for a kindergarten class.
: 0 ) Theresa
This sounds like so much fun. I'm going to try it with my three boys. The twins probably won't really get it quite yet, but I'm sure big brother will….and have fun being in charge š
Hi Shann.
I am sure big brother will enjoy being the director of the shapes! That will be fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
That is so fun! My kids would love that!
Thank you Krystal.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is fun that my kids would like.
Hi Natasha.
I hope your kids have fun trying it out.
: 0 Theresa
What a super fu activity to do with friends!
Mouse Shapes is a favorite book for us! My kids are going to love this activity. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a fantastic activity to do with a group of preschoolers!!
Thank you Alecia.
I hope your kids enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
Yes. This would be a fun play date.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Clarissa.
: 0 ) Theresa